The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-30
THE PORTO RIGAN TARIE rs.
Robert =. Porter Believes Congress
VIII Relieve the Tax Burdens.

Robert r. Porter Believes Congress
VIII Relieve the Tax Burdens.
NEW YORK. Jan. SO.-Robert p Porter,
who came here on Sunday. was asked about
Porto Rican and Cuban affairs. In answer
to query as to whether or not ne thought
there was any truth in the report that the
Administration had changed its Porto re
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 / do not
think that the report is correct, which says
Congress will retract from what it has
practically decided upon already.
rs 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
IN so that Porto Rican commodities may
come into the market free, or at such a re-
dueed 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 1t 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-
mir istraton does not want the Porto Ric-
ans admitted IN that way, and the Admin
lsuation does not think that the Porto
hlcans are entitled to full citizenship at
preHent- The idea. l think is TO keep the
island as one Of our possessions. with all
the advantages that should 20 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
meat OF the island is doing all right /
think No other reform viii be needed.
l have not been in Porto Rico. but l
think / am right in saying that this pro-
gramme OF the Administration is what is
wanted"
After such a change the island would
have no large income for its support
Would not something have 20 be dol.e 10
supply funds 10 take the place Of he
present tariff receipts" suggested NJ.
Porter, who replied as follows:
Some other source OF income will. Of
course. have 20 be developed and that
source will be revenue and internal tax
alton. The Administration is now franz
ing system Of taxation that will serve
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 excellently, and will
( probably be kept there as the President
prefers tc continue with the military ad-
ministratiOn until the natives are a little
better able 20 govern themselves.
Mr. Porter was then asked about The a.
/ nancial couiiuon OF cuba. and il any tariff
changes are being contemplated
Generally speaking" he said the f.
nanCial system Of Cuba has been working
satisfactorily. bUj CO -ain changes will be
made in the tariH = in the disbursements
OF the eXcheQuer. a yearly revenue OF
| So. coo. 300 is needed in Cuba. and for that
! the tariff has been arranged with he ay-
erage duty Of 10 per cent instead OF -
! per cent. the present duty. The tariIf on
! goods Is at present too high. and that will
/ be lessened. 1t is now about - per cent.
and Will probably be cut 10 about 10 per
cent.
"A regards Cuba's finance the munici-
paiities have not been sufficiently self
supporting and have been a great drain
upon the islands excheQuer. Certain
changes that will be made i'm the internal
revenue viii straighten this out and what
we have spoken Of as the islands eN-
cheguer Will be reserved for general cX-
I DensCs- that is the island works for i'm
prOvement and development General
Wood. in making tours through the island.
viii arouse spirit and pride IN he 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
strict economy %