New-York tribune., 1900-05-24
RAILROADING A TARIFF.
CURIOUS DISCRIMINATIONS OF THE
CUBAN TARIFF IN FAVOR OF AN
INFLUENTIAL SYNDICATE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

IBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNE.
Washington May 23-The keen and jealous
scrutiny which is being brought to bear these
days on the administration of Cuban affairs is
indicated by the attention the last revision of
the Cuban tariff is receiving at the hands of
Senators and others who especially inter
ested in such subjects, and who have enjoyed an
opportunity to examine the work. Some of the
comments and criticisms heard far from
complimentary to the author of the revised
tariff. Robert P. Porter, who the Superin-
tendent of the last United States Census and is
now connected in some capacity with power
full and wealthy railroad syndicate which it is
generally understood has recently obtained con-
troll of most of the railroad franchises in Cuba
and is maturing extensive and comprehensive
plans for the construction and reconstruction of
important lines of railway in Cuba the carry
ing out and development of which plans will
involve the investment of large amounts of cap
ital and the expenditure of very large of
money for railway supplies and materials,
chinery locomotives and other rolling stock, etc.
virtually all of which must be imported from
the United States, England, Canada and else
where, inasmuch Cuba produces few none
Of the articles required.
The of some of the active promoters OF
this important and extensive enterprise were
published time ago, and the list included
some or the dDleSt ana most widely known rail-
way capitalists in the United States, England
and Canada-men whose names a. sufficient
guarantee of sound and adequate financial back
ing, wise judgment. long experience and prac-
tcaI and skilful management in behalf OF any
enterprise they may undertake. Neither money
nor brains will be lacking in the Cuban railway
enterprise, and the prospect appears to be that
the men who to control it will thereby have
| also absolute control of the entire railway sys-
tenn of the rich island of Cuba. The exact nat
ure of Mr.. Porters connection with this great
syndicate is not known here. but it is inferred
from certain newspaper publications weeks
ago when he in London in company with
two Of the most active promoters of the enter
prise. whose visit to and negotiations in that
city were described as exceedingly satisfactory
and successful, that his relation was a pretty
intimate one.
AN INTERESTING Coincidence.
What has all this to do with the Cuban tariff?
That is proper and pertinent question: the
answer to which, while not complete. reveals an
interesting coincidence or sequence of events in
which Mr.. Porter, as Special Commissioner to
revise the tariff on the hand, and the
ganizers and promoters of the big railroad syn
dicate the other hand. both equally in
terested, but from seemingly opposite points of
view The object of the former, as indicated in
his official instructions and explained by him
self, to revise the tariff as to readjust
the rates with view TO reducing those the
articles of universal or general necessity and
consumption required by the people, a large
proportion of whom were persons of very small
or moderate incomes. without reducng the total
revenues OF the island below the sum annually
required to carry on the Government. This
was laudabe as well desirable object OF
course. one Of the prime objects of the capital
lists who about to expend millions of dol
lars on the construction reconstruction and gen
eral rehabilitation of the railroads of Cuba was
to get the necessary materials. supplies. ma
chinery, rolling stock. ETC. into Cuba as cheaply
as practicable None of those articles were
manufactured produced in Cuba, except to
an insignificant extent, if at ALL and therefore
the tariff duties. whatever they might be- would
come out of the pockets of the great syndicate.
OF course. therefore, it would make consid-
erable difference to them whether the tariff was
40 per cent only 10 per cent. In fact, the
total duty on $1,00O,O0O worth u railroad ma
teriais, machinery and supplies at 10 per cent
ad Valorem, would amount to 100000 less than
1t would II the rate were 40 per cent.
LOW DUTIES ON RAILROAD SUPPLIES.
Now. Special Commissioner Porter who de-
voted portion OF last winter to the work Of
vising the Cuban tariff, finished the work in
| time to have it approved by order dated
March 81, 1900 The new tariff was not to be
| put into operation however, until June 10, and
| the new rates were not made public until the
middle of the current month. The average rate
| of duty on railroad supplies, materials, machin-
| cry, etc, under the Cuban tariff framed by Spe
| cial Commissioner Porter and put into operation
on January !, 1899. amounted to equivalent
| ad valorem rate of 40 per cent. The revised
average rate those articles, which is to be-
come operative on June 10 and continue in force
| for the ensuing twelve months is equivalent to
average ad valorem rate of 10 per cent. Be
tween the date of approval of the revised tariff
and the date of its PRONUNCIATION, and after Mr..
| Porter is supposed to have severed his official
relations with the Government, he made the
voyage to London in company with the railway
capitalists before referred to. Doubtless the
desirability of railroad development in Cuba
may be unselishly urged, both there and in this
country, and a strong argument in favor of sub
stantal reduction Of the duty railroad sup
plies might be made in the interest of the
island. Mr.. Porter's friends likewise may be
able to furnish a satisfactory explanation OF his
connection with the affair. but thus far they
have not done so, and until they do it is likely
TO be regarded rather unfortunate that the
author of the Cuban tariff should appear to
enjoy such close relations with the syndicate
that is directly benefited by this reduced rate of
duty
TRUCK UPSET BY THIRD-AVE. CAR.