The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1902-02-07
GOVERNOR TAFT MAKES PLAIN
THE REPORT OF THE PHIL
IPPINE COMMISSION.
THE LAND IS NOT ALL ARABLE
Wants No Temporary Legislation
Touching the Tariff, and Believes
That Reduction Of so Per Cent
In the Dingley Law Would Do Won
ders for the Island Territory.
(By Associated Press.)

u
Washington, Feb. THE senate COM
mittee on Philippines today continued
It's consideration of the question of the
revenues of the Philippine islands
Governor Taft still being on the stand.
He began his statement with an ex-
planation OF that portion of his tes-
timony of yesterday to the effect that
sentiment was the main reason for ask
Ing substantial reduction of the rates
Of the Dlngley law, 80 far as they apply
TO the Philippines, saying he feared that
the statement might be misunderstood.
The idea he had meant to convey by
that statement was that the Philippine
commission welcomes every evidence of
a desire on the part of the American
people to aid the Philippine people. and
he believed any such evidence OF dis
elimination would aid the Philippine
commission In its work.
Cause Advance in Trade.
That in time such a concession as was
proposed would be OF vast benefit to the
farmers of the islands-and practically
all the inhabitants are farmers-he did
not doubt. He was sure the political
effect would be good, but hat there
would be any amount of substantial
less of the statement made In his off,
eial report that such reduction would
cause an advance In trade by .'leaps
and bounds
He did not mean TO withdraw the rec
ommendation-on the contrary, 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 65.000.000 acres of land In the Phil
ippines not controlled by private own
ership is arabic.
Wants Permanent Legislation.
Much of the area, he said. is covered
by mountain ranges and Is not therefore
capable of cultivation. In response to a
hiiggestion from Senator Culbertson,
governor Taft said he tlid not think the
l.iIi providing tariff between the
United States and the Philippines should
he temporary. as Is the case with refer
ence to the Porto Rican bill.
Speaking of the new revenue bill
passed by the Philippine commission he
said that 30 far the effect Is conjectural,
but that II was hoped the amount under
the impetus II would give to the trade
would soon equal the returns secured
under the old laws, which was 81, 900 900
or $10.000000. There had 80 far been q
great increase In the importation of food
pl oducts, especially canned goods which
came from the United States
Explained Harbor Contracts.
Governor Taft explained the contracts
which have been let for harbor improve
ments, involving an expenditure OF
50, O0OOOO and In response to questions by
Mr.. Hale he said that contracts had also
bAen let for the construction OF 20
or small sea-going boats for
the transportation Of mail and provin-
elal officers. The cost of these boats
would be 81 000, 900.
Governor Taft asked for power to pass
general corporation Laws. Most OF the
there now, he explained, are
controlled by English capitalists.
Mr. Dubois wanted to know IL 1t would
not be advantageous for the government
10 build and control railroads, tele-
phones, etc
THAT Is question of general econ
omfc consideration" answered Governor
Taft. (Which the commission wishes to
avoid"
Reverting to the subject OF corpora
tons Governor Taft thought 1t would be
wise for congress to give the commits
sion some discretionary power In the
matter OF building railroads.