New-York tribune., 1902-01-22
GREAT DEBATE BEGINS.
PHILIPPINE TARIFF FIGHT IN
THE .SENA TIE.
MIR LODGE SHOWS THE NECESSITY FOR
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION-OP-
POSITION LED BY MR.. RAWLINS
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

Washington, Jan. 21.-The debate the
Payne bin temporarily TO provide revenue for
the administration of the Philippine Govern
rnent was begun in the Senate this afternoon
under auspices which promise to make this dis
cussion one of the most interesting of the first
session of the LVIIth Congress. Senator Lodge.
chairman of the Philippine Committee. opened
the debate by a lucid and elaborate explanation
of the bill. He was followed by Senator Raw
l.ns of Utah, the ranking member of the mi
nority Of the committee. who INDUCED in the
threadbare arguments OF the anti-imperialists
and demanded absolute free trade between the
United States and the Philippine Islands until
this country can turn the archipelago over to
the natives.
Senator Lodge justified the action Of the ma
iority in cutting of the export tax on all ar
ticles coming from the Philippines 10 the United
States on the ground that this smplifed the
matter and did not in any way interfere with
the open door policy which the administration
and the Republican party are pledged to sus-
tain inviolate. He argued that the exemption
of all articles destined for the United States
from the export tax imposed by the Taft Com
mission is a simpler method of equaliZing the
inposts exacted at American ports than a pro-
vision In the law that would make a fat reduc-
ton Of % per cent on articles exported TO this
country from the archipelago that do not pay
the export tax, and an additional provision for
a further reduction export taxed articles. TO
meet the condition Of double taxation, than
otherwise would prevail. Mr.. Lodge was sub
iected to sharp questioning on this point by
senator spooner. who showed plainly that he is
opposed TO this provision. 1t is probably true
hat Senator spooner voiced the views of ma
,o-,+v NJ the Republican side of the Senate,
and therefore the export tax clause put In the
t,,, bx, +be House will probably be replaced be-
fore the measure leaves the Senate. Mr.. Lodge
,ossd with an appeai to the Senate and to Con-
grass IN deal with questions relating to the
philinpfnes as they might arise. and to keep
rIear Of vague words and vaguer promises.
vhich were likely TO be misinterpreted and to
raise false hopes in the minds of the Filipinos
In an innpassioned peroration he besought Con-
gress not 10 give mortgages on an unknown
future
In closing the debate for the day, Mr.. Bacon.
NJ Georgia criticised the Secretary of War for
an alleged violation Of law in issuing an order
permitting vessels flying a foreign flag to take
mart In the commerce between the United States
and the Philippines.
The Republican side Of the chamber was filled
while Senator Lodge delivering his speech
Rnc be Democrats came back TO their vacated
chairs when Senator Rawlins began to speak
The Democratic leaders now declare that they
will prevent break in their line when the final
vote is taken and that the proposed party caucus
is unnecessary. 1t is not doubted that every
Republican. with the possible exception of Sena-
tor Eosr will vote for the bill when it is placed
On final passage. How long the debate will last
is at this stage Of the proceedings matter or
mere speculation. although 1T is generally be-
ieved that It will consume fully two weeks, and
perhaps a month