Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-12-09
THE PHILIPPINES TARIFF.
Bill Presented by Chairman Payne t.
Ways and Means Committee.

Bill Presented by Chairman Payne to
Ways and Means Committee.
The republican members Of the House
ways and means committee met today in
conference at the Capitol over a Philippine
tariff bill. The day was occupied in dis
cussion which, while important, did not
result in decision being reached at once.
Chairman Payne presented to his republic
can colleagues of the committee revenue
tariff bill for the Philippines, which he had
drawn tot meet the conditions of the re-
cent Supreme Court decision. The Payne
bill. is quite brief. with two main features,
viz applying the Dingley law as against
Philippine exports to this country and ap-
plying the Philippine commissions tariff
schedule to goods entering the Philippines.
A further section grants rebate Of Gus
toms tax on goods which have paid an in
ternal revenue tax in this country.
Two propositions formed the topic OF to-
days discussion. One was whether the bill
which the committee reports shall be a
temporary measure, or whether shall be
comprehensive enough to solve all the eco
nomic questions likely to come up in the
archipelago.
The other was the advisability of estab-
fishing for the Philippines a differential
tariff Of the nature Of the one which Great
Britain provides in her dealings with Cana
da. That Is, to allow a discount from the
general tariff rates upon Philippine goods
entering the United States and products
of the mother country going to the Philip
pines.
The meeting lasted until noon, at which
time no final action had been taken and the
committee adjourned until pm. to hear
Secretary Root the requirements Of the
situation.
During the long morning discussion it de-
veloped that Mr.. Russell of Connecticut
and some other republican members strong
~ favored proviso to the bill offered by
Mr.. Payne by which the tariff rates would
be scaled down from Is to 20 per cent on
goods passing between the United States
and the Philippines.
This was urged on the ground that Great
Britain now had 40 per cent of the trade Of
the Philippines and Germany and other
European countries held considerable per-
centage, while the United States had but 8
per cent Of the trade. For this reason it
was urged by Mr.. Russell that the United
States should have some concessions as
against foreign countries, in order to gain
fair percentage Of the Philippine trade
for American goods
View at the War Department..
Secretary Root, with his advisers in the
War Department, is hard at work upon the
preparation of a bill fixing duties for the
Philippines The latest phase requiring
consideration Is the application Of the
drawback laws to trade between the Philip
pines and the United States. 1t is expected
that any tariff arrangement made will in
clude a provision for the payment of draw
back on any goods imported into the
United States and exported to the Philip
pines 1t is also the purpose to provide for
the remission Of internal revenue taxes on
goods otherwise liable to such tax but ex-
ported to the Philippines.
The official opinion at the War Depart
ment is strongly adverse to the proposition
which has been preached by some republi-
can members of Congress to frame new
tariff schedule for the Philippine Islands.
This work would consume great deal Of
time, and in order to avoid heavy leaks Of
revenue, it Is contended at the War De-
partment that before it is undertaken the
existing schedules must be adopted tenn
porarily.