Evening star., 1902-01-16
PHILIPPINE TARIFF BILL
DECIDED UPON IN
COMMITTEE.
Duties on Goods From the Island to
be Cut 2o Per Cent-Not Re-
ported to Senate

Ihe Senate committee on the Philippine
Islands today had under consideration the
House Philippine tariff bill, but upon the
request of the democratic smembers for
more time, adjourned until next Monday
without reporting the bill.
All the amendments suggested by the re-
publican members were adopted. The most
important of these amendments reduces TO
the extent of % per cent the rate of duty
collected upon Philippine articles coming
INTO the United States and also proyid IS
for further reduction equivalent to the
export duty charged on such articles when
shipped from the Philippines. The a5 per
cent reduction is accomplished by provld-
ing for the payment of 75 per cent of the
duty required by the Dingley tariff act
The provision concerning the export duty
is as follows: THE rates of duty which are
required hereby to be levied. collected and
paid upon products of the Philippine archi-
pelago coming into the United States shall
be less any duty or taxes levied, collected
and paid therein upon the expectation
thereof from the Philippine archipelago as
provided by the act of the United States
commission under such rules and regula
llohs as the Secretary of the Treasury NAV
prescribe
Another amendment permits the employ
ment OF foreign vessels in the inter-isIand
traffic as well as in the traffic bet ween tba
United States and the islands StiT an
other amendment strikes out the House
provision authorizing the withholding of
lhe cost OF collecting Philippine taxes ani
duties, thus requiring the gross amount m
stead of the net amount to be deposited i'm
the special Philippine fund
An administration amendment suggested
oy the treasury Department was added, as
follows: Merchandise in bonded ware
house or otherwise in the custody and CON
troll of the officers Of the customs. upon
which duties have been paid shall be en-
,ltled on shipment to the Philippine Is
lahos Within three years from the date of
the original arrival to a return of the DIN.
ties paid. less 1 per cent, and merchandise
upon which duties have not been paid NAV
De shipped without the payment of duties
TO the Philippine Islands within said perjod
under such bonds and regulations as NAV
De prescribed by the Secretary of the
Treasury
Senator Lodge, chairman of the commit
tee, expressed the opinion after the COM
mlttee adjourned, that report on the bill
would be secured at the meeting Monday
He also said that the total reduction made
oy the committee on Philippine sugar COM
ing into the United States would amount
to about 35 per cent.
Inc democratic members of the commit
zee uld not suggest any amendments but
II is understood they will press for still
1urther reduction of rates.
A Minority Report.
After the committee adjourned the demo-
cratic members Of it held a conference and
decided to present minority report TO the
Senate recommending that so long as the
Philippine Islands remain part of the ter
ritory of the United States free trade be
permitted between the islands and this
country, and urging that the islands shall
.pe put upon an Independent footing at as
early day as possible, when they will
suggest that the full Dngley rates be
charged on Philippine imports.
The democrats are urging the committee
to grant hearings on the bill.