Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-22
Its PRONUNCIATION Awaits Decision
Of Supreme Court
DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED
In specific Duties Ad Nalorem ones
suggested Instead -Mauila Cham
her OF Commerce Takes Action.

Washington, April 2l.--It Is not like
ly that the Philippine tariff viii be pro-
mulgated until after the decision Of the
Supreme Court IN the insular case. 1t
was stated at the war department,
where the matter has received con-
siderable attention, that this decision
may make II unnecessary for this
government TO establish system OF
tariff rates in the Philippines, although
the department has proceeded with the
work Of equallzing the rates and re-
ceiving and considering suggestions as
though the coming decision would not
make any change in the present con-
ditions.
Some months ago the war depart
ment published the tariff as prepared
by the experts in the Philippines and
approved by the Taft commission. In
terested parties, especially manufac-
turers and spectators, were invited TO
examine this proposed tariff and make
suggestions. II is interesting to note
that of the forty-nine paragraphs in
the proposed tariff only thirty-thr
paragraphs have provoked criticism or
suggestion. Even these are in a mild
tone and nearly all take the form Of
suggestion.
II Is suggested that there will be diff
Guilty IN making all duties specific.
and that I'm many cases perhaps ad
valorem duties would be better. There
is some objections 10 the metric system
as American goods are in yard folds
and European goods are In metric folds.
If the yard folds are continued. II
would he better for the American
manufacturers.
The Manila chamber of commerce
asks that four months intervene be-
tween the promulgation of the tariff
and its enforcement No provision Is
made for making oleomargarine to dis
tinguish 1t from butter. The dairy
interests think such a provision desir-
able A lower rate Is asked for gaso-
line % be used for fuel and for
launches. An ad val0rem duty Is adj
vised upon precious stones and watches.
one of them suggests that coppers and
oxide should be upon the free list
not be admitted 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 quite an extensive discussion
Of this subject and IL has been pointed
out that changes in the Cuban tariff
were also needed IN this particular
g srtaff
Is advocated Reductions are asked Of
from 20 10 40 per cent on harness and
saddle wares IL is suggested
that cheap and expensive machinery
should not pay the same rates Ger
tain typewriter firms want the duty on
their machines reduced
A change IS asked In the classification
Of meat products. II Is said that the
duty on alcohol should be doubled or
manufacturers OF whisky will be able
to use the alcohol for making whisky
at a much less cost than the distilled
product.
California manufacturers ask a re-
duction on -four. cereals, prunes, ben
zine. gasoline and petroleum, some Of
them suggesting that the articles be
placed on the free list. Condensed
milk and canned fish the Pacific coast
desires also should Doe placed on the
free list one suggestion made is that
an materials Tor the Unitel States
forces should be admitted free Of duty
Some rather interesting information
has reached the war department I'm
connection with the tariff, It being
shown that Russia sends 10 the Philip
pines two-hfths Of all the petroleum
imported by the people OF the Islands.