The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-08
PHILIPPINE TARIFF RATES.
GOV. TAFT FAvORS 4 REDTC-
IION or 10 PER CENT.
says II would Aid In the Pacincation ef
the Islands -The Greatest Need OF
the Islands IL the Purchase OF the
400 900 Acres or Land From the Friafs


WASHINGTON, Feb. The Senate Com
mittee on the Philippines went on this morn
ing with the hearing Of Gov. Taft, President
of the Philippine Commission. this being
the seventh day OF his narrative.
He said that what he meant yesterday
when he spoke of his desire for a reduc-
ton OF duties being sentimental. was that
such reduction would he an evidence OF the
desire of the American people to aid the
Filipinos. Such a discrimination in favoro OF
the Filipinos, as against other parts OF the
world, would be In the line Of what the COM
mission was attempting 10 do. and would
be a great aid as an object lesson.
Mr.. Culberson-You mean that it would
aid In the pacihcation Of the islands.
Gov. Taft-Yes, in showing to the Filipino
people that our statements in regard to the
attitude Of the American people toward
them were true, as shown by the action OF
Congress. ! should be glad to have q re-
duction Of rs per cent. OF the tariff.
Speaking Of the effect OF the recent law
enacted by the commission, Gov. Taft
said that under the new rates of duty there
In imposed. the importations OF canned
goods were enormous.
Mr.. Hale-From where?
Gov. Taft-From the United States and
from Spain.
Speaking Of the building of railroads in
the islands, Gov. Taft said that 1t was In:
dispensable that the commission should
have the power to incorporate railroad and
other companies. The agriculture Of the
islands, he said, would be enormously de-
veloped by the construction OF railroads.
He favored the right Of the commission
10 grant franchises for mining and timber
corporations, and he pointed out on the
map a locality which he said contained
as large a vein Of copper as there was In
the world.
The Chairman Cir. Lodge)-Do you
consider 1t important to buy the friars''
lands, or TO make arrangements for actual
Gov. Taft-Yes, sir, I do. / do not think
that any one thing which Congress has been
invited TO do Is of more Importance liam
that. The people are against the frars
as political enemies and as
lands we can satisfy the people and avoid
the agrarian questions that will other
Mr.. Haie-wn the friars sell their lands'
Gov. Taft think So.
Mr.. Hale-At reasonable COST
Gov. Taft think 80.
Mr.. Haie-Are the friars In actual posses
sion OF the lands7
Gov. Taft-In order To avoid the hostility
Of the people they have transferred their
title to companies and retain a mn iority OF
the stock. One OF the companies IL English
and another Spanish.
Mr.. Hale-And you deal with the COM
panios?
Gov. Taft-Yes. The lands are something
over 400 1000 acres. One Of these COM
panies has filed a protest against the
condemnation OF their lands, because
Of the interest which some of the in
dividual owners have. | do not think
that that protest has sufficient weight
to vary the truth Of my statement that the
commission has reasonable ground TO be-
lieve that with the authority TO issue bonds
II can. at a reasonable price. purchase
these lands.
The Chairman-Is there any single thing
in which the F~ilipinos are more Interested
than in getting rid Of this land situationi
Gov. Taft-Nothing. There Is nothing
which gives 80 much trouble and arouses
the hostility OF the people more quickly.
On the question OF labor, Gov. Taft said
that the idea OF Filipino labor coming
into composition with American labor
was Of no account, for the reason that
labor in the Philippine Islands costs more
to-day than labor In America.
Further hearing was adjourned until
Tomorrow at IL A. VI.