Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-11-17
Porto Rico Wants
HIGHER DU.Y
For Its Coffee

| new YORK. oct 2O.-Ihe principal
feature of today's session of the In.
ternational-American Coffee Commits
sion held at the Coffee Exchange. was
the introduction by Senior de Assis
Brasil of the first part of the report OF
the committee on the causes of the cri-
sis.
This portion of the report dealt with
the causes only. while Part H.. which
will be read at the next meeting, will
treat of the remedy for these causes.
II seemed to be the unanimous opin-
ion Of the committee that the produc-
ton was causing supply far in ex-
cess of the demand under the present
conditions.
| The fact was brought forth that the
high prices prevailing during the year
1898 we're in great measure RESPONSE.
BILE for the establishment of many new
coffee plantations, which have brought
about overproduction in comparison to
the demand.
Needed Tariff Changes.
| The members Of this committee were
also of the opinion that one of the
most practical measures to increase
the consumption of coffee will be the
suppression. or, at least, reasonable
reduction of the duties imposed by
European countries on the importation
of coffee.
On this account the Porto Rican del
egate has asked for protection for the
insular industry. Notwithstanding the
fact that the Unuited States admits
coffee duty free.
In presenting his Views on this sub
| ject, Senior Mariana, the Porto Rican
delegate. said:
ITO accept In an absolute manner
the suggestion of the committee on the
causes OF the crisis tending to sup
press. or, at least, decrease. the Gus
toms duties levied on coffee in con-
Stunning centeTs. would be very agree.
able, II IL were not against the wishes
of the Porto Rican people,
MY duty Is to protect their inter-
ests in this conference. indeed. that
island, beginning now in the United
States. and thus forming part OF its
territory, and expected soon to be
member Of the Union. will be more en-.
titled to protection for its coffee.
Need Of Caution.
IF. as a Porto Rican. ana COnsc-
quently as an American citizen. were
to ask that said duties he abolished.
| would go against the laws. eminent
ly proteCtionist. of the United States,
who would have ample reason for re.
fusing the protection which the Porto
Rican people desire for their coffee.
Therefore, | request the honorable
gentlemen composing the committee
to modify the recommendation in the
sense that they may simply reduce
these duties so as not to restrict the
liberty of the United States Govern
ment when II may try to protect our
coffee as a national product
Owing to the report being, as yet
incomplete. action was necessarily de-
ferred until the next meeting, which
will be held on Wednesday at II
o'clock a. m.
One of the reports. embracing many
phases of the coffee industry, which
was submitted at a previous session
and rather severely criticised by the
delegates as being of too sweeping a
character to admit of prompt actions.
was that OF Senior ]. II. de Aranjo
e'Vasconcellos, from the Dominican
Republic.
High Quality Advocated.
This report. which was rather eX-
haustive in its treatment of the sub
ject. favored the production of the best
quality of raw beans and the suppress
sion OF an overproduction of inferior
qualities.
II also advocated the detection and
punishment of fraud in every rorm.
and the stern repression of misrepre-
sensations both on the part OF the
wholesaler and retailer.
Reliable information regarding the
quality of coffee he thought ought to
be furnished the public.
In a set of resolutions he requested
that Western planters having tested
the capacity OF their lands should
keep them up to scientific standard;
that the seeds should be OF the best;
that proper attention should be given
to the termination and nurturing OF
the seed; that proper system oil
branding should be adopted; that pull
and shells should be utilized as ferti'
lIzers. and that yearly exhibits from
the coffee growing territory ought tt
be made.
Taxation Considered.
Taxation on exports, imports and
consumption was also one of Senior e
Vansconcellos arguments in favor o.
remedying the present situation in thu