The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-12-20
PHILIPPINE TARIFF,

Perhaps no other event in our his
tory has so clearly revealed the utter
selashness OF eastern manufacturers
as has the decision ot the supreme
court that the Philippine islands were
territory OF the United States and
therefore trade between the Islands
and the United States must he free,
No sooner had this decision been hand
ed down than eastern protected manu-
facturers at once commenced action
looking to the passage by congress OF
a tariff law for the Philippines, and
such measure is being pushed
through our national law-mak'ng body
with railroad speed.
Without going into discussion Of
the merits Of the question as 10 the
constitutional right to lay tariff taxes
on trade between the states and tgrri-
tory belonging to the United States.
there can be no question but what the
policy win be not only disappointing
to the people OF the Pacific states, but
it will work an incalculao'e injury to
the commerce Of this section Of the
country
At the time when the question OF re
tanning the Philippine islands was
being discussed and the policy was up
for Endorsement or rejection by the
voters Of the country the strongest ar
gument in favor Of retention was the
new markets that would thereby be
opened up to the products Of this coun-
try. This was more potent in shap-
ing sentiment in favor OF that policy
than any other argument advanced,
To this may be attributed the practi-
cal unanimity- Of the Pacific coast
states in favor OF holding the Islands
which were thrust upon US as an in
cident OF the Spanish war,
With the passage Of the pending Phil
ippine tariff bill these markets will Be
practically no more open to American
goods than they were before We as
sumed control over them. Tariffs on
Philippine commerce must OF neces-
sity be impartial. There can be no dis
eliminating rates in favor Of Ameri-
can goods. but our manufacturers must
meet the competition OF the world in
those markets. This they will doubt
less BE- able TO do. But the volume OF
trade viii certainly De much curta.led
and every dollar Of commerce with
other than American manufacturers
win be chargeable dire tly o. this
policy of levying tariff duties on trade
between the islands ami this country
This loss will be creates. 90 the Pa
cifc coast. BY its geographical posi-
ton this section of tn country with
unrestricted trade could practically
control the commerce NJ the islands
New enterprises would b. established
manufacturing plants would multiply
and shipping would be- greatly in
creased. Eastern manufacturers have /
been quick to recognize this. They
realize with an open market in the
islands for the products Of the Ameri-
can factory the manufacturing indus
try on the Pacific coast would soon
be in a position TO control not only the
business with the islands but make
serious inroads upon their market in
the western states Of the Union. It
is this latter danger they wish to fore
stall. They desire to retard the growth
Of manufacture on the coast and con
tinue their control Of this market
The Philippine tariff bill has passed
the house and will doubtless be passed
by the senate but the people Of the
Pacific coast viii wonder why this gov
eminent is spending 80 much In life
and treasure 70 subjugate the FlipInos
II they are to be treated as q foreign
and alien race.