The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-29
H0LLANDER REVENUE ACT
REPORT on ITS OPERATIONS TO BE
SUBMITTED IN A FEW DAYS.
III Ii Yields Sufficient Money for the
Needs of the Island Free Trade
VIII he Established.

SAN JUAN, Porto Rico. May 2S.-Ths
first report Of the Supreme Courts decision
in the De Lima case. received here last
night, which was interpreted as declaring
the taxation OF imports from Porto Rico
TO the United States Is per cent. of the
Dingey ,Iuties 10 be unconstitutional was
received here with great satisfaction. To-
day when the full report of the De Lima
case was published, there was evidenced a
general feeling OF disappointment among
Porto Rican merchants, who had hoped
that the courts decision would give them
a years free trade. Porto Ricans are re-
luctant to believe that to-day's full report
is true.
The consensus of opinion Of the matter
seems to be that the Porto Rican Legisla-
ture should be convened In extra session to
declare Porto Rico sef-supporting without
the collection Of customs on imports be-
tween Porto Rico and the United States. A
general spirit of complaint that all the Su-
preme Courts decisions were against Porto
Rico Is noticeable. When San Juan mer-
chants were questioned on the subject they
manifested much regret at the outcome as
they had hoped To haze refunded all the
moneys paid under the Is per cent. applica'
tion of the Dingley duties. 1t was general
ly expected that the courts decisions
would grant Porto Rico free trade and her
citizens full citizenship and constitutional
privileges When told If the latter provi-
sions had been granted the internal revenue
laws of the United States would be applied
TO the island. and that all funds and Gus
toms hereunder collected would be de-
posted IN the federal treasury, all Porto
Ricans questioned in the matter acknowl-
no baH nd fl,af beir
present status was preferable. as they did
not believe that the island would stand the
collection of the United States internal
revenue. and that such collection. If at
tempted, would necessitate an even heavier
property tax for the maintenance of Porto
VIEWS OF BUSINESS MEN
Only few Porto Rican business men un-
derstood the Importance of the Supreme
Courts decisions. Those who are bankers
predict an immediate revival of business.
now that the staSus OF the country has
been decided. The manager of an important
American bank. who requests his name not
be used. says that he is in favor Of the
tariff unless it Is absolutely proved that
Porto Rican internal revenues suffice for
the islands needs
A member of the ]. T. Silva Banking
Company said: The whole thing is a fiasco.
We would like 10 be citizens of the United
States. but without the application OF
United States internal revenue collections.
The latter would xiii our industries.
A representative OF the Fritze Lundt
Company which is the largest shipper OF
sugar In Porto Rico SAID: The Constitu-
against US. but not when in our favor.
This has always been so since the begin
ming. II the tariff had been removed at
first Porto Rico would now have double
crops. The American system of taxation
cannot be applied here; there should be
Ill, III
sugar should be free. This legislation ap-
pears 70 be for Americans and against
Mullenhoff & Korber. a large banking
house. said This is a big step forward
Spain would not have returned anything.
1t would be a hard blow If the internal
revenues of the United States were applied
here"
tation. said: The distinction is too fine to
understand. The tarin should cease when
the Hollander bill comes into full force.
July l. otherwise We will be under practi-
cally double taxation. Our Legislature has
been lax 1t should have notified the Presi-
dent that Porto Rico is self-supporting. l
can see. now that the matter Is settled
much Improvement in the future.
BY agreement with New York houses
many Porto Rican shippers will receive
half OF the amounts refunded under the
new decision.
THE ISLANDS BUDGET
The people generally are as much disap-
pointed al not being granted American cit
izenship as they are with the courts deci-
sion in relation 10 the tariff The members
OF the Cabinet seem 10 favor free trade
The islands yearly budget is $2OOO.OOO A
rough semi-ofiicial estimate gives an in
come OF $4,000 year from the property
tax. $4,000 from excise collections under
the Holander bill. and $4,000 from Gus
toms collections on imports and exports TO
snd from countries other than the United
States. The property tax will be In force
July l. and assessments will be made on
an estimated valuation OF 800 0o0 900. Ex-
else duties are now being collected. Porto
Ricans are generally OF the opinion that
their Legislature should now act
II Is understood that Governor Allen is
giving his earnest consideration 10 the prac-
tcaeslity or securing. at early date
free trade relations between Porto Rico
and the United States.
As result OF the consultations in Wash
tngton between Governor Allen and Presi-
dent Mckinley. Mr. Holander will in a
few days submit a report 10 Governor Al
len showing the operations or the formers
new revenue act. from which Il Will appear
that expectations are entertained as 10 the
adequacy Of tho measure IL has been fully