Evening star., 1901-03-11
Porto Riean Delegation Sees the
President.
COMPLAINT OF TEE HOLLANDER LAW
The Vice President and Prominent
Congressman Call.
FAIR COMMISSIONERSHIPS

The committee of Porto Ricans delegated
by a mass meeting of citizens of Porto
Rico to protest against the Hollander tax
| bill which was passed by the Porto Rican
house of delegates and approved by Gov.
Allen a short time ago, appeared before
| the President today to urge upon him the
advisability of directing a call for a special
session of the house of delegates to modify
| the law. The committee consisted of w.
Borda, V. Balbos and c. Borda. Accom-
panying the committee was Senator Elkins
| Of West Virginia, who speaks Spanish f1u-
emily.
The Hollander law was passed just be-
| fore the house of delegates adjourned sine
die, and at a mass meeting held shortly
afterward the bill was strongly attacked.
AS the assembly had adjourned. however.
| nothing could be done in Porto Rico. and
the committee which saw the President
today was selected to come to Washingt on
to obtain, If possible, complete nullifica-
tfon of the law by Congress under the au-
thority reserved by Congress by the For
aker act to amend, alter or repeal any law
passed by the house of delegates. The
committee arrived too late to secure any
action by Congress, therefore the appeal
was made to the President.
The Hollander tax law is complete sys-
tenn of taxation calculated to raise 81 O00, 600
of revenue and replace the present tariff law
upon the latter's expiration.
Selling Property for Unpaid Taxes.
The principal cause of complaint against
the Hollander bill Is section 63, providing
that property upon which the taxes, levied
in advance are unpaid within six months,
shall be sold to the highest bidder and If
there is no bidder shall escheat to the gov
ernment. The business men of Porto Rico
oil i'm hot &c ricin 1ryt1J
virtual confiscation Of property on account
Of the depression which they say exists in
the island. They say that many property
owners will be unable to pay their taxes
when due on July next.
They say that money is exceedingly
scarce in the island, and estimate that not
over 100000 is in circulation. To compel
payment of taxes within six months with
no opportunity for subsequent redemption,
they insist, must therefore mean confisca-
ton.
They also protesteds against other fea-
lures of the law, including the excise tax
Of eighty cents a gailor. upon rum.
The President's Response.
The President gave the committee nearly
hour and listened with interest to their
statements. He said that he did not feel
like exercising his authority for calling an
extra session Of the Shouse of delegates,
but would recommend that the executive
council use the utmost leniency in enforc-
ing the provisions Of the tax law.
Some of the members of the committee
were dissatisfied with the Presidents prom
ises, saying that unless the law is modified
1t Will mean starvation and ruination for
many.
Other Side of the Case.
There is a side of the case entirely differ
ent from that given by the committee. 1t
is that Of the poorer people of the island.
The new law is represented as being of
great benefit to them. For hundreds of
years the rich, land-owning people Of Porto
Rico have paid nothing. on their prop erty.
The new law will require them to assume
their snare OF the taxation burden and will
correspondingly relieve the poorer classes,
who have heretofore borne the burden Ihe
committee that waited upon the President
To-Day Is SAID to represent the wealthy land
owners. Mr. Balbos represented Porto Rico
In the Spanish cortes, and those who hold
his views naturally object, it is pointed out
to change in the system of taxation that
has existed for many years.
The Vice President Calls.
Vice President Roosevelt had talk of
twenty minutes with the President this
morning, but nothing was disclosed as to
the nature or purpose of his visit. The
Vice President will leave Washington for
his home at Oyster Bay some time this
week. His summer plans, while not com
pletely matured, contemplate simple
quiet summer at Oyster Bay. Mr.. Roose-
welt will not accompany the President on
his trip to the Pacific coast.
Leading Congressman Call.
A number Of prominent leaders in both
branches Of Congress called on the Presi-
dent today to pay their respects before de-
parting for their homes. Others called to
see If there are any offices left that are
not filed. AS soon as. all the plums are
6iSnnSa6 n the will fort thoi,,
homes.
Among the callers were: Senator Jones'
minority leader of the Senate; Senators
Bacon, Carmack Blackburn, Teller Pat
terson Of Colorado, Kean, Lodge, Hanna,
Stewart, Beveridge, Deboe, Bard, Kyle
Foster and Gamble, ex-senator Thurston
Representatives Payne, Babcock, Cannon,
Long, Burke. McRae, Lacey and others.
His California Trip.
The President has given definite assur-
ance to his California friends that he will
go to the Pacific coast next summer. The
plans and schedule viii be in process Of
arrangement by Secretary Cortelyou until
the time for leaving here the last of April
or 1st Of May. The outlook now is that
the President and party, among whom will
be all OF his cabinet members, will go to
California by the Southern Pacific route
stops in Texas are contemplated and there
is some talk that at Ell Paso the Presi-
dent will meet President Diaz of Mexico
ana snake hands with him. There will be
receptions at places In rNew Mexico and
Arizona, and when Cakfornia Is reached
the stops will be numerous.
The return trip will besmade by north
eriy route. Altogether five or six weeks
will be spent on the trip,
st. Louis Fair Commissionership.
Delegate Mark Smith Of Arizona, accom-
panied by Senator Carmack of Tennessee,
saw the President to. ask for the appoint
ment of John Brethitt of Arizona on the
81 Louis exposition commission. The
President indicated that the commission
has been completed and that further ap-
plications will be useless
Separate District.
The President has issued an executive
order creating a new internal revenue col
lection district by detaching the states of
North Dakota and South Dakota from the
Nebraska district ana making them a sep
arate coifectfon district. This order will
go into effect upon the appointment and
qualification Of the new collector.