New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-24
ROAD CLEAR FOR TARIFF.
STEP IN PUERTO
RICAN PROGRAMME.
THE CONFERENCE REPORT on THE RE
LIEF BILL ADOPTED BY PARTY
VOTE N THE SENATE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEI


consideration OF the Tartn bin. which. accord
ing 70 the programme announced in these dis
patches is TO be shorn OF the Senate amends
Tents in the shape Of provision for a civil gov
ernment for Puerto Rico which VIII be dealt
with later IN a separate bill
1t was decided this morning IN a conferences OF
members OF the Harmony Committee with
Speaker Henderson and other leaders OF the
majority in the House that the managers and
advocates Of the Puerto Rican Tariff Dill in the
Senate would resist all attempts 10 amend II
and thus injure the prospect OF enacting II into
law. The leaders OF the House strongly advised
this course. insisting that would be the only
safe pursue. Members OF the Harmony
Committee expressed the opinion that the friends
Of the bin in the Senate would succeed in pre-
venting the adoption OF any free trade amend
ment by a small majority. and that the bill
would pass by larger majority
While the members OF the Harmony Commit
tee were engaged in the conference with the
House leaders the Republican Senator's who are
more or less in favor or free trade between the
United States and Puerto Rico. some OF whom
have indicated a determination vote against
the pending bill. also holding conferences
in Senator PrOctOr's committee room All the
various shades OF Republican opposition were
represented and found expression and the opin-
ions expressed were widely divergent that it
was considered best not 10 attempt 70 formuIara
statement 10 be submitted the Harmony
Committee a suggested basis OF compro-
mise. IT informally agreed and understood
however. that for the present no unanimous con-
sent should be given 10 fixing a time for vote
the passage OF the bill II appears there
fore, that Senator Proctor did not reflect the
views Of a majority of the dissenting Senator'S
when he offered yesterday 70 consent that the
vote should be taken next Wednesday
A COMPROMISES Sr-cGES-E0
There some tentative discussion arnona
Senators in the course OF the day OF a suggestion
to incorporate in the Civil Government bill pro-
visions to enable the Puerto Rico Legislature to
adopt revenue system which. after II was in
full operation. might remove the necessity OF
continuing in force thereafter the ta-frr pro-
visions OF the pending bill This suggestion
emanated from some Of the opponents OF ths
Tariff bill, who regarded II as a practical one
which might afford satisfactory basis OF com
promise which both the friends and oppo-
nsnts OF the latter measure coulds. be persuaded
to agree. II has been taken into favorable con-
sideration by the friends Of the biIl. and may bs
adopted.
While considerable number OF the friends
OF the tariff bill in the Senate. under other cir
cunstances. would be glad TO have it modified
so as to provide for the admission free OF duty
into Puerto Rico OF the important articles oe
they VIII not propose support such an
amendment now, but they might possibly con-
sent TO do 50 as provision OF the civil govern
Tent bill, which. it is understood, Senator For
aker and other members OF the Harmony Com
uittee received satisfactory assurances to-day
would have fair and prompt consideration IN the
House whenever it came from the Senate with
a view 10 its passage by the former body. The
amendment referred TO- which is favored by
Senator Spooner and others. to exempt from
duty foOdstufTs entering Puerto Rican ports
from the United States, would relieve the people
OF the island TO some extent: but. at the same
time II is fair consider that Il per cent OF
the Dingley rates on such articles would not be
a heavy burden. even II they should have 20
bear it, especially in view OF the exceedingly
sharp competition among the producers OF the
United States for the Puerto Rican trade
In 1896. when trade and Industrial conditions
in Puerto Rico were normal. the iulpOrtations
Of foodstufrs amounted 20 $I,+11,39S. which was
two-ffths Of the total i1np0rtations OF that year.
In the last five months Of 1899. when trade and
industrial conditions were abnormal, owing 20
the devastation and distress produced by the
hurricane the inportations CT the same articles
constituted 81 per cent of the years total trn-
pOrtations or per cent less than in 1896.
AN IMPORTANT FACT IGNORED.
In the discussion Of the Puerto Rican cues
date. one fact which Is pertinent and OF con-
siderable Importance has been lost sight or and
not once mentioned either by the advocates or
opponents Of the pending tariff bill and that Is
that. if the bill shall become law. great num-
Der and variety OF articles subject 70 duty
under the Executive tariff when imported into
Puerto Rico. either from the United States or
any other country viii be entitled 70 adrnts-
sion free OF duty into the ports OF the island
from the United States and every other country
on the globe OF the total importations into the
United States from foreign countries in the
year ended June 50 1899. no less than 43 per
cent were admitted free Of duty and the pro-
portion Of importatious so admitted in the
calendar year 1899 amounted 20 about IT per
cent.
OF course free traders. who never open their
lips about the Dingley tariff except 10 denOunce
il. could not be expected TO DO otherwise than
ignore this fact because II mentioned il would
seriously detract from their arguments; but 10
might we'll have been at least alluded 70 by ad-
vocates OF the pending measure without weak
eniug their position
The Importance OF this matter has already
been realized by the Puerto Ricans. of
whose bitterest complaints against Spain
caused by the policy OF the mother county In
laying heavy duties on materials for manufacc-
uring Industries imported into Puerto Rico IN
order 70 discourage such industries in the island
for the benefit OF manufacturers in Spain Many
pages OF the report OF Special Commissioner
Carroll were devoted 10 recital OF the injuries
inflicted the people of Puerto Rico by this
policy OF the mother country
DEMOCRATS SHOW THEIR INSINCERIrY-
The minority in the Senate voted soidfy
sgatns, tha conference report on the Relief bill