The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-11
SENATORS SURPRISED
BY FORAKBR'S MOVE
Stirred By His Amendment
on Philippine Tariff.
EFFECT NAY BE FAR-REACHING
His Republican Colleagues Hesitate
90 Favor so Great "a Reduction rs
seventy-Hve FvE Isn't on Present
RHtes-A Compromise Expected.

Senator Foraker surprised his col
leagues on both sides CO the senate cham
Der yesterday when he introduced an
amendment to the Philippine tariff bin
now pending, providing that imports frs-,
the Philippines into the United States
shall pay duty OF only % per cent Of
the Dingiey law rates, instead Of Is per
cent as provided in the biz. as reported
from the Philippines Committee. Sen
ator Foraker said afterwards that he
acted in accordance with his own views
and without considering other Senator's.
Following COmIaissiOR's Ideas.
Mr.. Forsker's amendment is in Huc
with the recommendation telegraphed 70
Washington BY Acting Governor General
Wright, and read to the Philippines Com
mittee by Governor Taft last Saturday.
Mr. Foraker says thar his amendment is
designed to give the Filipinos a chance to
get their products into this country and
share in the great wave Of Mckinley
prosperity that is now spread over the
United States. He says that the Philip
pine treasury does not need the money
that would be collected under the high
rate of duty and which. according to the
terms Of the bill, is TO 90 into the treas
ury Of the islands
r. Foraker is chairman Of tho Com
mittee on Pacific Islands and Porto Rico.
and his Republican colleagues are some
what at a loss 70 account for his effort
to upset the well considered plans Of the
Secretary Of War and the Philippines
Committee for a settlement OF the Philip
pine tariff question
Rates Acceptable TO Senators.
The Bin as it passed the House OF Rep
resentatives applied the fun Dingicy law
rates TO importations from the Philip
pines 10 the United States. and the Senate
committee at first decided that the only
change they would recommend would be
the removal Of the export taxes levied
+ by the Philippine Commission law so that
imports into the United States from the
: Philip mes would be on al fours with
/ those from foreign countries After a
/ careful consideration OF the question.
I however. the committee. with the advice
/ o. the Secretary CT War. agreed to rec
! o0nend reduction Of % per cent in ad-
/ ditiOn
During the two or three weeks that the
/ bin has been before the Senate. there has
/ not been a word Of criticism OF the rates
! proposed. and. in fact, the debate has
been all on the general subject OF United
/ States control in the Philippines with lit
tie or no reference 10 the particular
point OF the bill.
May Lead 20 General Changes.
The action Of Senator Foraker. a Re
I publican. is, therefore. apt TO inaugurate
a general tariff discussion and while the
/ friends Of the bill, as il stands think Nj
| Foraker's amendment viii not be adopted
I there are indications that it will be found
wise TO make a compromise and hx the
rates at about 50 per sent OF those Of tho
Dingley tariff law The members Of the
Philippines Committee. however. and tbs
Republican Senator'S have not had a con
ference yet On the subject. so that nc
policy has been agreed upon.
Position of the Democrats.
The Democratic Senators viii. Of course
vote for the Foraker amendment. as they
would for one proposing free trade, bu
it is thought that large majority Of tn,
Republican Senator's will stand by tn,
committees bill.