The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-12-10
Some Republican Members of Ways
and Means Committee Disa-
gree With Administration.
FAVOR REDUCTION ON EXPORTS.
Reciprocity Idea Is Also Advanced
in This COnnection-Chairman
Payhe's Bill Will Prob
ably Prevail, However.
REPURLIC SPECIAL


evening Secretary Root talked to the Re-
publican members of the Ways and Means
Committee in secret session on the Philip
pine tariff. giving the Administrators views
Of the necessities of the case as created by
the decision Of the court
He urged that the provisions Of the Lodge
bill. as presented in the Senate. be applied;
that is. the Dingley tariff on goods coming
from the Philippines and the Taft Commits
sion tariff on all goods going to the Philip
pines.
When It was suggested to him that az
internal revenue tax Is already paid on
many American products now going to the
Islands and that any expansion OF trade
would be almost impossible If customs tax
was also imposed. he at once admitted the
justice Of the contention and made the
suggestion informally that any form Of
double tax be avoided.
The committee adjourned to meet to-mor-
row morning without coming to any con-
clusion. after being twice in session duriag
the day.
There are material differences Of opinion
among the majority members and at pres
ent they are virtually in a deadlock. One
OF the leading Republicans said tonight.
however. he thought these differences
would soor be smoothed over and early az
tion taken.
Reduced Tariff suEKested.
Chairman Payne has presented a bill as a
basis of consideration, which provides for
the Dingley and Taft rates and a rebate Of
internal revenue taxes on all articles going
to the islands on which customs tariffs are
imposed. The bill was not taken up for dis
cussion or action to-day. SO much time be-
ing occupied with the presentation Of d.
vergent views.
Representatives Dalzell and Grosvenor are
said to stand with Chairman Payne on the
proposition to rebate the internal taxes. and
it is thought tonight the Payne bill will
be the outcome of the situation.
Representative Russell of Connecticut.
who Is said to have some support from
Messrs. Mccall and Tawney. puts forward
the reciprocity idea. and insists that It
would be q good thing to begin with the
Philippine Islands.
Another suggestion in this line is to apply
the Dingley and Taft tariffs. reduced from
Is to % per cent
Inconsistency Of Administration.
Mr.. Russell points to what he calls the
Inconsistency of the administrations posi-
tion in this matter. It is, he says. advocat-
ing reciprocity with Cuba. country that
is not a part OF the United States and
will soon became an Independent nation.
while 1t is advocating the high Dingley
tariff against the Philippines. which the
court has decided are part of our domestic
territory.
He urges a reduction Of rate on goods
passing between the United States and the
Philippines on the ground that England.
Germany and other European countries
have very large part of the trade with
the Philippines. while per cent will repre-
sent the amount Of business done by the
United States.
This proposition. however. is regarded as
too much like giving in on the general
question Of reciprocity. and IL looked upon
with marked disfavor by the high-tariff
men. who are in large majority among
the Republican members of the committee.
No tarin revision. no revenue reduction,
no reciprocity-these statements have come
out from the Ways and Means Committee
and the leaders do not intend to yield at
the outset.
Will BE . Permanent Measure.
There is some discussion as to whether
the bill reported by the committee shall be
a temporary measure or shall be compre-
hensive enough to permanently solve the
economic question Of the Philippines. but
it is now well understood that the bill will
be in the nature Of permanent measure.
A large part Of Secretary Roots state
ment to the committee consisted of an ex-
PLANTATION of the Taft Commissions sched-
ules. and the manner in which they were
made up. He was assisted by Colonel
Clarence Edwards. Chief of the Insular Dr.
vision of the War Department.
Unofficial Information having reached the
Treasury Department that the Collector
Of Customs in San Francisco had held that
under the recent insular decision of tho
Court. the coastwise laws of the
United States apply to the Philippines. Sec
retary Gage has sent him telegram to
hold any such ruling in allegiance. pending
specific Instructions.