New-York tribune., 1901-04-22
THE PHILIPPINE TARIFF.
SUGGESTIONS OF CHANGES MADE SINCE
THE SCHEDULE WAS ANNOUNCED.

Washington. April 21.-It is rot probable that
the Philippine tariff will be promulgated
until after the decision OF the Supreme Court
in the insular cases. It is stated at the War
Department, where the matter has received con-
siderable consideration, that this decision may
make it unnecessary for the government TO es-
tablish a system Of tariff rates in the Philip
pines. although the department has proceeded
with the work Of equaizing the rates and re-
ceiyng and considering suggestions as though
the coming decision would not make any change
n the present conditions.
Some months ago the War Department pub
dshed the tariff as prepared by the tariff ex-
perts in the Philippines and approved by the
Taft Commission. Interested parties, especially
manufacturers and shippers, were invited to ex-
anime this proposed tariff, and make suggestions
and criticisms. 1t is interesting TO note that of
the 419 paragraphs in the proposed tariff only
:firty-three paragraphs have provoked criticism
Or suggestion. Even these are in mild tone.
and nearly all take the form of suggestion.
Some Of the more important suggestions are en-
bodied in the following:
It is suggested that there will be difficulty In
making all duties specific. and that in many
cases perhaps ad valorem duties will be better.
There some objections to the metric system,
American goods are in yard folds, and Euro
pean goods in metric folds. If the yard
folds continued 1t will be better for the
American manufacturers.
The Manila Chamber of Commerce asks that
four months intervene between the promulga-
lion Of the tariff and its enforcement. No pro-
vision is made for marking oleornargarine to dis
tinguish it from butter. The dairy interests
think such a provision desirable 4 lower rate
asked for gasolene to be used for fuel and
for launches. An ad valorem duty is advised
upon precious stones and watches. One firm
suggests that copperas and oxide should be
npon the free list.
It is urged that cotton yarn should not be ad-
mitted at a lower rate than fabrics woven from
such yarn: also that the weight and washing
of cotton tissues should be changed in the in
terest of coarser cotton fabrics. There has been
has been pointed out that changes in the Cuban
.ariff also needed in this particular The
free entry OF news print paper is advocated
Reductions asked Of from 20 to 40 per cent
on harness and saddle makers wares. II is sug-
gested that cheap and expensive machinery
should not pay the same rates Certain type
writer firms want the duty their machines
reduced.
A change is asked in the classification of
meat products 1t is said that the duty on alco-
hol should be doubled or manufacturers of
whiskey Will be able to the alcohol for maxi
ing whiskey at a much less cost than the dis
titled product
California manufacturers ask reduction ON
-four, cereals, prunes benzine, gasolene and De-
troleum, some Of them suggesting that these
articles be placed the free list Condensed
milk and fish the Pacific Coast desires should
also be placed on the free list. One sugges-
tlon made is that all materials for the United
States forces should be admitted free of duty
Some rather interesting information has
reached lhe war Department in connection with
the tarlH, II being shown that Russia sends TO
tne Philippines two-fifths of all the petroleum
imported by the people of the islands