New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-05-14
NEW PHILIPPINE TARIFF
FINAL TOUCHES BEING PIT ov rur
SCHEDULES
TO BE READY IN TWO WEEKS WHEN THE,
SUPREME COURTS DECISION is Ex-
PECTED THE ADMINIsTRA-
TONS LIBERAL. POLICY.
IBT TELEGRAPH To TIE rp,prxr

iBT TELEGRAPH To THE TRrBryEI
Washington, May I3-The War Danar+r,art
Is taxing advantage OF the time necessarily
consumed by the United States Supreme Court
IN rendering its deliberate decision on the in
sular question in exhausting every resource N
iorhlulate such schedules for the new Philippine
latlU as VIII be most conducive TO United
states trade with the islands and providing fair
revenue for the administration Of government
With this end in view Secretary Roo+ has
placed the proposed tariff before Appraiser
Wakeman and his experts in New-York. who
are TO give it the final touches before il is laid
before the President for PRONUNCIATION unless
the supreme Court renders all that has been
done superhuous. The opinion of the court is
expected two weeks from to-day. and by that
time the new tariff will be ready to put into
operation as as due notice can be given 10
all interests affected by its provisions
The policy pursued by the administration in
formulating the new customs law is refreshing
compared with most OF the similar enactments
that have preceded il. and IL is inconceivable
that general satisfaction viii not be the result
For nearly year the public interests have
been consulted and every effort made TO meet
the views Of all concerned in the building up
OF a vast Philippine commerce. always remem-
bering that a certain amount OF revenue was
Indispensable with incidental protection against
rivals nearer Manila. and not overlooking the
Identical treatment with the United States guar
anteed 10 Spain for period OF twelve years by
the Treaty OF Paris
Last August Colonel Clarence Edwards In
charge OF the Insular Division OF the War De-
partment, assembled board OF army officers
who had been in control OF customs and revenue
matters 10 formulate a tariff which would be
more advantageous TO many important Aneri-
can interests than the law already IN operation
This work after completion was submitted to
the leading commercial interests in the islands
public hearings were given by the civil and
military reviewing officials. and freedom of dis
cussion was encouraged in a notable degree. the
procedure exciting confidence. particularly
through its wide departure from Spanish
methods in arbitrarily fixing schemes for revenue
raising.
SATISFACTION WITH THE RATES.
After the interests Of the Islands were thus
thoroughly ascertained. the schedules were pub
lshed widely in this country -wo months ago.
and criticism and advice We're solicited from
American exporters and producers. There has
been a general response 10 this invitation. and
a number of advantageous changes have been
suggested. but the great ajOrity OF comment
has been Of a character expressing satisfaction
with the new rates These letters come from
numerous manufacturing and tobbng houses. 10
which complete copies Of the tariff were sent,
as we'll as from many shippers and producers
who depended the newspapers and trade
journals for information 70 the changes con-
tenplated All these replies are open 70 the
public at the War Department, and, in fact, the
greatest publicity has been encouraged by the
officers throughout the progress Of the work up
10 SIS present and final stage. The submission
Of the schedules 70 the New-York Custom House
experts was due 10 the desire OF Secretary Root
and his advisers 10 insure the greatest SIM
pIicity in the tariff. secure as far as possible
specific rates Of duty. and 70 provide against
any doubtful meanings that might lead 10 tedi-
Gus controversies IN the future.
The whole matter Is now said 10 be in such
shape that the new tariff II there IS 10 be any,
can be promulgated by June J. 10 go into effect
two months later. II is expected 70 produce
annually about S150o0000 after the first year,
although for a short period with conditions now
existing in the islands, il may not raise more
than half that amount.