The evening times., 1900-01-30
THE PORTO RIGAN TARIFFS.
Robert T.. Porter Believes Congress
VIII Relieve the Tax Burdens.

Robert Il. Porter Believes Congress
VIII Relieve the Tax Burdens.
NEW YORK, Jan. 30.-Robert p Porter
! Porto Rican and Cuban affairs. In answer
to query as to whether or not he thought
! there was any truth in the report that the
Administration had changed its Porto R:c-
an policy of free trade, Mr.. Porter wrote
out the following:
Il see no reason to believe that the Ad-
| ministration has changed its mind about
giving Porto Rico free trade. and 1 do not
thinh that the report is correct, which says
| Congress will retract from what it has
practically decided upon already.
lis it not realized in Washington that
Porto Rico is suffering from the present
condition of things. and that prompt relief
from heavy taxation is necessary"
Congress will undoubtedly follow the
advice of the President in changing the tar
III so that Porto Rican commodities may
come into the market free, or at such a re-
duced rate of duty that the Porto Ricans
will find a profitable market for all their
products. The matter is now before the
Senate Committee on Porto Rico. and
think it will be pushed right through.
The situation is this: Mr.. Foraker
wants to make Porto Rico a Territory;
that is. to admit it into the Union with
not only the absolutely free trade which
exists between our States. but with all the
rights OF citizenship and the right to send
Delegates to Washington. Now, the Ad-
mlnistration does not want the Porto Ric-
ans admitted in that way and the Admin
lstration does not think that the Porto
RlcanS are entitled to full citizenship at
present. The idea. | think, is to keep the
island as one OF our possessions, with all
the advantages that should go with its
connection with our country
Porto Rico will be given what we might
call commercial reciprocity. For European
goods the regular United States tariff will,
OF course, be applied, but in the inter
change OF goods with the United States
there Will be, not free trade perhaps
but some arrangement that will give the
islands decided advantage over other
West Indian islands Change of form in
the present tariff will set things straight in
Porto Rico Immediately, as the govern
ment of the island is doing all right |
think. No other reform will be needed.
| have not been in Porto Rico. but |
think | am right in saying that this pro-
gramme of the Administration is what is
wanted"
After such change the island would
have no large income for its support
Would not something have to be done TO
supply funds to take the place of the
present tariff receipts?" suggested Mr
Porter, who replied as follows:
Some other source Of income will ot
course, have 10 be developed and that
source will be revenue and internal tax
alton. The Administration is now fram-
ing of IN hot nil
the needs. without striking too heavily on
any other point, which will be put in
force Immediately"
Mr.. Porter seemed TO have no fear about
the welfare of the island. General Davis
he said, was doing excelently. an1 will
probably be kept there. as the President
prefers to continue with the military ad-
mnistration until the natives are a little
better able to govern themselves.
Mr. Porter was then asked about the fl
nancial cou1ition OF cuba, and if any tariff
changes are Being contemplated.
Generally speaking he said "the e.
nancial system of Cuba has been working
satisfactorily. but cs ain changes will be
made in the tariff ~; in the disbursements
OF the exchequer. A yearly revenue OF
Sl5, 900, 300 is needed in Cuba, and for that
the tariff has been arranged with he av-
erage duty of Is per cent instead OF ~
pei cent lut DleStut uul.- he tdIiu on
goods is at present too high and that will
be lessened. Ii is now about l. per cent.
and will probably be cut to about 10 per
cent
As regards Cuba's finance the munich
palities have not been sufficiently self
supporting and have been a great drain
upon the islands exchequer. Certain
changes that will be made in the internal
revenue will straighten this out. and what
we have spoken of as the islands ex-
chequer will be reserved for general ex-
penses: that is the island works for i'm
prOvement and development General I
Wood. in making tours through the island.
will arouse spirit and pride in the munich
palities that will aid very much in max
ing them stand on their own feet. In the |
future they will be run on a schedule OF