Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-08
TAFT ON PHILIPPINE TARIFF
Asks for Reduction 81 Rates Of DinElsy
Law to Apply to Islands.
WANTS TO PASS CORPORATION LAWS
says Congress shouId Give the Com
mission Authority to Make Meas
ures to Control Commercial
and Industrial Enterprises.

WASHINGTON, Feb. THE senate COM
mittee on Philippines today continued its
consideration Of the question Of revenue for
the Philippines, Governor Taft still being
on the stand.
He began his statement with an e~xplana-
tion Of that portion Of his testimony Of yes
terday to the effect that sentiment was the
main reason for asking a substantial reduce
tion of the rates of the Dingley law so far
as they apply to the Philippines. saying he
feared that the statement might be misun-
derstood.
The idea he had meant to convey by that
statement was that the Philippine commits
sion welcomes every evidence of a desire
on the part Of the American people to aid
the Philippine people. and he believed that
any such evidence of discrimination would
aid the Philippine administration and its
work.
That in time such a concession as pro-
posed, would be Of vast benefit to the
farmers OF the islands, and practically all
the Inhabitants are farmers, he did not
doubt.
Political Eject would he Good.
He was sure the political effect would be
good. but that there would be any imme-
dlate substantial effect he did not think
was true. regardless Of the statement made
In his official report that such a reduction
would cause an advance in trade by leaps
and bounds" He did not withdraw the
Recommendations the %contrty. he would
be glad to have a reduction Of so per cent.
Governor Taft also explained that he had
not intended to convey the idea that the
IS, 900, 600 acres Of land in the Philippines
not controlled by private ownership is
arabic. Much of the area is. he said
covered by mountain ranges and is not,
therefore, capable of cultivation.
In response to, a suggestion from Senator
Culberson, Governor Taft said he did moi
think the bill providing 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 tina
so far the effect is conjectural. but that 4
was hoped the amount under the impetus 1
would give to the trade, would soon edua
the returns secured under the old laws
which was $1,000 90 or $780, 900. 900. Their
had so far been a great increase in tn,
importation Of food products, especiall!
canned goods, which came principally from
the United States and Spain.
! Governor Taft next explained the con
tracts which have been let for harbor i'm
provements, involving an expenditure o
$50, 900, 900, and in response to questions b
! Mr.. Hale, said that contracts also had beef
let for the construction OF twenty launche
or sea-going boats for the transportatio
! OF mail of provincial officers. The cost O
the boats will be 81. 000. 900. He had eske
i for bids from San Francisco, he said, bu
they were so high the commission wa
8 obliged to contract for them with Shangha
Q and Japanese firms.
Desires to Pass Corporation Laws.
/. Governor Taft asked for power to pas
general corporation laws. Most OF th
enterprises there now, he explained. ar
controlled by English competitors.
Mr.. Dubois wanted to know If it woul
. not be advantageous for the governmen
a to build and control railroads and tele
phones.
THAT is a question Of general economi
E consideration answered Governor Tai
|. (which the commission wishes to avoid"
4 Reverting to the subject Of corporation
Governor Taft thought it would be wis
: for congress to give to the commissio
some discretionary power in the matter
building railroads.
y Governor Taft said there was nothin
Il more important for congress to do than
authorize the purchase OF the lands hel
by the friars. Nothing gave the Filipino
SO much trouble as the friars. It wa
hoped the friars would go to other cour
tries II their lands were purchased. bl
h there was no power to evict them.
Governor Taft brought up the matt,
i later referred to and explained by Senate
Patterson on the floor Of the senate reli
tive to the treason statute of the PhiliI
pine commission. In the course OF his r.
is marks Governor Taft said,
While l should like very much TO cal
the appreciation of senator Hoar for h
mainly, I must decline to do so at the e
pense of the fact or at the expense
seeming to avoid the responsibility viii
Is mine as much as any of my colleague