Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-29
PORTO RICAN BILL
Senator Beveridga Argues for Free
Trade.
VOTING ON THE AMENDMENTS
Conference Report on Diplomatic
Bill Adopted.
ARMY BILL IN THE HOUSE

The conference report on the diplomatic
and consular appropriation bill was agreed
to BY the Senate soon after 1t convened to-
DAY
4 concurrent resolution offered by Mr..
Culbrrson Of Texas. directing the Secretary
al War and the Secretary of the Navy to
keep "seasonabiy advised the families OF
wounded soldiers and sailors of The condI-
ton of Ne men was agreed 10.
Consideration of the Porto Rican tariff
and government bill was then resumed.
Mr. Beyeridge Und.l addressed the Senate
III support of the proposition for free trade
between the United States and the Island
of Porto Rico. The speech will be found in
another column.
At the cone usion of Mr.. Bcveridge's ad-
dress Mr.. Foraker asked that the Senate
proceed with the consideration Of amend
meutS.
Amendments Proposed.
Senator Foraker introduced the following
amendment to the Porto Rican bill:
That on and after the date when this
act shall take effect wares and merchandise
previously imported from Porto Rico into
In" United States for which no entry has
bean made and all goods. wares and mer-
chaudisc previously entered without pay
ment of duty and under bond for ware
housing. transportation or any other pur-
pose for which no permit of delivery to the
importer or his agent has been issued shall
be subject to the duties imposed by this
act. aud to no other duty, upon the entry
or withdrawal thereof: Provided. That when
duties based upon the weight Of mer-
chandi>e deposited in any pubic or private
bonded warehouse said duties shall be lev
led and collected upon the weight of such
merchandise at the time Of its entry.
Senator Pettus also introduced several
amendments to the Porto Rican bill as
follows:
Providing duty OF ) cents per pound on
all coffee imported into Porto Rico.
Prohibiting the proposed Porto Ricau leg
iSlature from enacting any law In conflict
with the Constitution of the United States.
That the Constitution of the United
States. and also of the laws of the United
States not locally inapplicable, shall have
the same effect in Porto Rico as in other
territories of the United States.
Restoring the original provision of the
bill for duty of l. per cent of the Dingley
law goods going both ways,
To Amend the Army Bill.
Senator Berry introduced the following
amendment to the army appropriation bill;
THE quartermaster's department in max
ing contracts and purchases of articles and
supplies for the military service shall give
preference. all other things, including price
ami quality. being equal, to articles of
growth. production and manufacture of the
nit-d States, and. as between the pro-
ducer$, manufacturers. merchants and deal
erS 81 the United States. preference shall
b. given. all other things being equal, to
thuSs producers, etc, who are not MEM
brr> OF in any way connected with any
trust ur combine framed to produce. man.
ufacture or sell the articles which are be-
ing contracted for and purchased by the
quar1-rInaSter department for the mill
ttFy service.
Import Dnty on Coffee.
Th.. irst amendment of the Porto Rican
bill was imposing a duty Of 5 cents
pound upon coffee imported into Porto
Rico.
Mr. Pettus (Ala.) moved to strike out the
amendment. which involved the question
whether i tax could be imposed on products
imported into Porto Rico which was not i'm
posed ON the same products imported into
other parts of the United States
Mr. Gallingcr defended the amendment of
the committee. During the Spanish regime
he said, tariff had been imposed upon cof-
fee imported into Porto Rico, because the
coffee raised there is regarded as the best
in the world. and it desired to prevent
II from being spoiled by being blended with
inferior grades.
IF you have a free hand to mutilate the
Constitution" said Mr.. Pettus, then you
can pass this bill; but if the Constitution
means anything when it says that taxes
3nd duties shall be uniform then you have
TO such right"
Mr.. Prttus' amendment was defeated-l3
to 81.
Proposed Congress of Indians.
Senator Plat introduced an amendment
TO the Indian appropriation bill. providing
for congress of the representatives of the
at the Buffalo pan-American exposition. and
appropriating s40.0Vo for the payment Of
the expenses of the congress.