Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-07
WOULD HELP fuP|N)S
TAFT Says Reduction OF Tariff In
the Philippines Would
Be Beneficial.
Would Have a Good Effect Politi
cally On the Filipino
People.
Further Explanations OF the Con-
ditions In the Islands..-
General News.

washington, Feb. THE senate
.ou,,,ttea on the Philippines today
continued its consideration OF the aues-
ton of revenue for the Fhiippiiie
ts,ands Governor Taft still being on
the stand. He began his statement Win
nm explanation of that portion OF ms
Testimony of yesterday to the ettect
chat sentiment was the main reason Tor
asking substantial reduction OF rates
IF the Dingley law so far as they Apply
to the Philippines, saying he feared the
statement might be misunderstood. Inc
idea he had meant to convey by the
statement was that the Philippine COM
mission welcomes every evidence of a
desire on the part of the American
neonIe to aid the Philippine people and
he believed any such evidence OF dis
elimination would aid the Phlhpplne
administration and its work. That in
time such concession as proposed
would be of vast benefit to the farmers
of the islands, and practically all the
Inhabitants are farmers, he did not
doubt. He was sure the political ef-
feet would be good. but that there
would be any immediate substantial ef-
feet he did not think true. regardless of
the statement made in his official report
that such reduction would cause an adj
vance in trade by leaps and bounds. :
He did not mean to withdraw the
Recommendation. On the contrary he
would be glad to have reduction of so
per cent. Taft also explained that he
had not intended to convey the idea
that the 65,000,000 acres of land in the
Philippines not controlled by private
ownership is arabic. Much of the area
is covered by mountain ranges and is
not, therefore, capable of cultiva-
ton. He did not think the bill
providing for a tariff between the
United States and the Philippines
should be temporary. as is the case with
reference to the Porto Rican bill.
Speaking of the new revenue bill passed
by the Philippine commission, he said
that SO far the effect was conjectural,
but that it was hoped the amount, un-
der the impetus 1t was about to s.ve to
trade. would soon equa- the returns Sc
cured under the old laws, which was
about $10,000,o00. There had SO far
been great increase in the importa-
tion of food prodcuts, especially canned
goods. which come principally from the
United States and Spain. Taft explain
ed the contracts which have been let for
harbor Improvements, involving an ex-
penditure of 100000. and said con-
tracts had also been let for the con-
struction of twenty launches or small
T. g..
the mail of provincial officers. The cost
for these boats will be s1.000,000. He
had saked for bids from San Francisco,
but they were so high the commission
was obliuged to contract for them with
Shanghai and Japanese firms. Taft
asked for power to pass general corpor-
alton laws. Most of the enterprises
there now, he explained. We're controlled
by English capital. Reverting to the
subject of corporations, Taft thought it
would be wise for congress to give the
commission some discretionary power
in the matter of building railroads.