The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-08
The EXPORT TAX A SNAG
Republicans Fear che Issue May BE
Made Party One.
"A RECIPROCITY FEATURE IS FAVORED
Republican Members of Ways and Means Com
mttee Have Movement on Foot 10
incorporate It in the Philip
n;na Tariff RI
pins Tariff Bill,
(By the Associated Press.)

Washineton, ID. c., Dec. 7.--An inn
portant conference was held at the War
Department today in ergard to the legis-
lation necessary to meet fiscal condi-
tions in the Philippines as a result of
the recent insular decisions of the Su-
preme court. There were present Sec
retary Root. Senators Lodge and Platt
an Connecticut and Representatives
Payne and Dalzell
During the afternoon Senator Spooner
called at the War Department and talk
ed with Secretary Root about the legis-
lative necessities Of the Philippines 1t
appears that the problem presented is
net as easy as was supposed when it
was thought that a single joint resolu-
tion could be put through Congress with
in few days to continue practically ex-
isting tariff rates as to Philippine eX-
ports and imports. Some members of
the Ways and Means Committee see
difficulties growing out of the existence
Of an export tax in the islands, and there
is much apprehension that the issue may
be made party one, with the result
that there will be a bitter struggle at
least in the Senate, il not in the House,
before satisfactory legislation can be
! had. 1t is the expectation however
that after hearing from all of the lead
ers Secretary Root win be able to per-
feet a plan of action by Tuesday, when
the House next meets.
1T is learned that in the course of con
ferences today Secretary Root took ad-
vantage of the opportunity to talk free
ly with his callers about the pressing
needs cf Cuba, and to urge early action
upon legislation along the line recon-
mended in his last annual report.
A movement is on foot among the Re-
publicans of the Ways and Means Com
mittee to incorporate a reciprocity fea-
ture in the forthcoming Philippine tariff
bill AS roughly outlined in the infor-
NAL talks thus far had among members
of the committee. the reciprocity pro-
vision would recite that when the Phil
ippine Commissioners reduce the duty
on certain DESIGNATED articles, including
American textiles and various goods cas-
lily marketable in the Philippines then
the President of the United States shall
by proclamation grant stated reductions
of duty on Philippine sugar and other
products shipped to this country. The
reciprocity provision would be along the
lines of that provided in the Dngley
Act, whereby President Mckinley, by
proclamation made tariff reductions on
a limited number of articles, without
the formality of treaty.
a reciprocity provision on the fore
going lines was discussed at the meeting
of Republican members of the committee
last Friday afternoon, and received very
favorable consideration, although action
was deferred until the re-assembling OF
the Republican members on Monday.
Chairman Payne probably will call a
meeting of the full committee on Tues
day, by which tie the Republican draft
of the Philippine bill may be ready, al
though no definite understanding on this
point has been reached.