The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-29

can bank, who requests that his name be
not used, says that he is In FAVOR of the
tariff unless it is absolutely proved that
Porto Rican internal revenues are suffl-
cient for the islands needs.
The J. W Silvela Banking company
said:
The whole thing is a fiasco. We would
like to be citizens of the United states.
but without the application of United
States internal revenue collections The
latter would kill our industries.
The Fritz Lund company who are the
largest shippers of sugar in Porto Rico
said.
THE constitution Of the United States
applies when against us, but not when
in our favor. This has always been so
since the beginning. If the tariff had
been removed at first, Porto Rico would
now have double crops. The American
system of taxation can not be applied
here; there should be some sensible tax
on flour and rice, but sugar should be
free. This legislation appears to be for
Americans and against Porto Ricans"
Mullen. Hoff & Korber. a large bank
ing house, said:
This is a big step forward. Spain
would not have returned anything. It
would be a. hard blow if the internal
revenues of the United States were ap-
piled here
W. l. Mari, manager Of a, big sugar
plantation, said:
The distinction is too fine to under
stand. The tariff Should cease when the
Hollander bill comes into full force,
July l. otherwise we will be under
practically double taxation Our legis-
latuFe has been lax. It should have no
titled the president that Porto Rico is
self-supporting- can see, now that
the matter is settled, MUCH improve
n ent in the future
BY agreement with New York houses
many Porto Rican shippers will receive
half of the amounts refunded under the
new decision.
The people generally are as much
disappointed at not being granted
American citizenship as they are with
the courts decision in regard to the
tariff. The members of the cabinet
seem to favor free trade. The islands
yearly budget is 81. 000, 900. A rough
semi-ofhcial estimate gives an income
of 100000 a year from the property tax,
$3.50, 600 from excise collections under
the HolIander bill, and $750.000 from
customs collections on imports and ex-
ports to and from countries other than
the United States. The property tax
viii be in force July 1, and assessments
will be n ade on an estimated valuation
of S100 000, 600. Excise duties are now
orally of the opinion that their legisla-
ture should now act. It is understood
that Governor Allen is giving his earn
est consideration to the practicable
of securing at an early date free trade
relations between Porto Rico and Ger
many.
AS result OF the consultations IN
Washington between Governor Allen
and President Mckinley. Mr.. Hollander
will in a few days submit a report to
Governor Allen showing the operations
of the formers new revenue act, by
which it will appear that expectations
are entertained as to the adequacy of
the measure. 1t has been fully realized
that the insular treasury is rapidly ap
preaching a position where it can dis
pense with the customs receipts accru-
ing with trade with the United States
without in any wise endangering the
present secure financial position of the
island. BY the provision of section 3
of the Foraker bill. free trade becomes
operative whenever the Porto Rican
legislature passes a resolution that an
adequate system of insular taxation
has been put into operation, and Presi-
dent Mckinley. upon notification of this
resolution, is to proclaim free trade for
Porto Rico. If the plan now in contem-
plation is carried out, Governor Allen
will convene the legislature in extra
session. solely for the purpose of pass
ing this resolution. This action viii
probably be taken July Is. at which
time the Hollander bill will have been
in force for nearly one month. and it
is probable that free trade viii be de-
rnanded in October