Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-07
INSISTS ON THE CUSTOMS TAX
Taft Say, Il is Necessary to suplOrl Of
Philippines
SAYS DIRECT TAXATION IS INADEQUATE
Governor Admits that Request for
owe Taria on American Imports
is Based on Sentimental
Grounds.

WASHINGTON. Feb. e.-Governor Taft
appeared before the senate committee on
the Philippines today with the intention OF
taking up the senate Philippine tariff bill
and of devotlng his attention to the rev.
enue and tarif conditions Of the Philip
pine islands, but before beginning with
the subject he replied to a number OF ques-
lions by Senator Carmack. bearing upon
subjects heretofore covered by the gov
ernor In his testimony before the coIhmit-
tee,
Mr.. Carmack quoted from the report OF
General Macarthur OF 1900 to the effect
that there is unity among the Filipino peo-
pie in their opposition to the United
States. Replying, Governor Taft said the
commission had not originally accepted the
generals conclusion n that the commits
sion's tour OF tho archipelago had con-
WINGED them that they were correct in
their conclusion.
Opposition Has Disappeared.
THAT originally the people Of the Phil
ippine islands we're much aroused, / do
Lot doubt" he continued, ''but the opposi-
tion does not continue in its general as
pect. Since the second election Of Presi-
dent Mckinley the great majority Of the
people OF the Philippines have been ia
vorable to peace and to the acceptance OF
the sovereignty OF the United States, and
it would be impossible to continue the
present system of guerrilla warfare without
the system of terrorism which now pre-
walls. That is my conclusion and insofar
as the statement differs from General Mac
Arthur's report to that extent, l differ
from him"
Governor Taft also said that he differed
| from, faaporal ncIl IN tho mint If The pan-
eral desire Of the inhabitants to main
tain hostilities in Batangas. He did not
believe the common people felt SO inclined.
Explains Present system of Taxation.
Taking UP the question Of the tariff, Gov
ernor Taft explained the present system of
taxation In the Philippines. saying that
under the decision OF the supreme court
no duties are now being collected on ar
ticles going into the islands from the
United States. The plan of the commits
sion had been to have no internal system
of taxation for the support Of the general
government Of these islands. Under the
Spanish system there was a general poll
tax, which Melted about $1,000, 900, while
the receipts from the customs were only
about 5000, 900. Even children we're taxed
under. that system. Under Spain there
also was a tax upon business enterprises
and that system had been continued to an
extent by the commission. The commits.
sion also had decided to maintain the poll
tax to the extent of 81 per head on adult
males, but to apply 1t only to paying the
governmental expenditures Of the towns
and the provinces. The people Of the
islands had generally urged the imposition
of the poll tax as necessary to get some OIL
their numbers TO work. Under the Span.
ish regime the plan had been used to en-.
force q sort Of slavery.
ManiIa,s Taxable Property.
Judge Taft said that the assessable tax
able property in Manila would not exceeS
$4,000, oee.u This, he added, would not ex'
Eoeed one-sixth. OF the valuation, of an Amer
lean city of the same size, and yet MantlI
would require a far larger expenditure thar
would an American city OF the same class
One considerable item of expense for ad
ministration there would be that Of main
tanning sanitary conditions. 1t was neces
sary at all times to- guard against tn
plague, and there are from 10000 to 200.
600 lepers in the entire archipelago.
In our judgment the customs tax is alb
could not be supported by direct taxation
OF course, II there were no custom col
Lotions on goods coming from the Unite
L oLaLNEU NAA1 SAA0&G WYNN w ~ aAAA -
tariff collections, al practically all tn
importations into the Philippines would b.
from the United States or from Spain
which would be given free trade undo
the peace treaty.
Adjustment of Tariff.
We said that the tariff adopted by tn,
commission is a specific duty, am0untinl
to from 10 to 80 per cent. reduced to O.
advalorem system. and that the effort ha
been to place the higher tariff on luxurie
and the lower on necessities. thus revers
ing the Spanish system.
In reply to a question from Senator Cul
berson concerning the effect Of placing
lower tariff on American imports from tn
Philippines than on Philippines export
from the United States. Governor Taft ex
planned that the commission had devote
no time to the Dingley tariff law. "W
were looking solely after the interests {
the Philippines" he said. a It is tru
that the lower we get duties on our good
shipped to the United States the NOR
trade will be developed"
Governor Taft said:
1 am .bound to say at present our prir
| cipal reason for asking a reduction Is ser
tlmental The effect OF a rednction Of 3
, ports into the United States would not b
great for the next few years, and any cor
cession OF that character would be benz
hcial In. our dealing with the people c
the Philippines.
Biscuit and Cracker Men.