Evening star., 1902-02-07
REVENUEFORISLANDS
Governor Taft Before Senate Philip
pines Committee.
MORAL EFFECT OF DISCRIMINATING
Fayors Purchasing the Lands of
the friars.
THE SEDITION LA w S

The Senate committee the Philippines
today continued it's consideration of the
question of the revenue of the Philippine
Islands. Gov. Taft still being on the stand
He began his statement with an explana-
ton of that portion of his testimony of
yesterday to the effect that sentiment was
the main reason for asking a substantial
reduction of the rates of the Dingley law
so far as they apply to the Philippines, say
ing he feared that the statement might pe
misunderstood. The idea he had meant to
convey by that statement was that the
Philippine commission welcomes every evi-
dence of q desire on the part of the Ameri-
can people to aid the Philippine people, and
he believed that any such evidence of dis
elimination would aid the Philippine admin
istration in it's work. That in time such
concession as was proposed would be of
vast benefit to the farmers of the islands
and practically all the inhabitants We're
farmers-he did not doubt. He was sure
the political effect would be good, but that
there would be any immediate substantial
effect he did not think was true. regardless
of the statement made in his official report
that such reduction would cause an ad-
vance in trade by leaps and bounds" He
did not mean to withdraw the recommended
tion; on the contrary, he would be glad to
have a reduction of 80 per cent. Gov. Taft
also explained that he had not intended to
convey the idea that the coo acres of
land in the Philippines not controlled by
private ownership is arabic. Much of the
area is. he said. covered by mountain
ranges and is not therefore capable of cul-
tiyatiOn-
Not a Temporary Tariff.
In response to a suggestion from Senator
Culberson. Gov. Taft said he did not think
the bill providing a tariff between the
United States and the Philippines should be
iS he r.tI, TO
the Porto Rican bill.
Speaking of the new revenue bill passed
by the Philippine commission he said that
so far the effect is cOnjectural, but that 1t
was hoped the amount under the impetus
i would give to the trade would soon equal
the returns secured under the old law which
was SOoo,ooo or s1O.OO0UDO. There had so
far been great increase in the importation
of food products, especially canned goods
which come principally from the United
States and Spain.
Hnrbor improvements.
Gov Taft explained the contracts which
have been let for harbor improvements in
volving an expenditure of s.. .OOOO Goo and in
response to questioning by Mr.. Hale said
that contracts also had been let for the
construction of twenty launches, or small
sea-going boats, for the transportation of
mail of provincial officers. The cost for
these boats will be 100000. He had ask
ed for bids from San Francisco, he said
but they were so high the commission was
Obliged to contract for them with Shanghai
and Japanese firms.
Gov Taft asked for power to pass gen.
eral corporation laws. Most of the enter
prises there now, he explained are con-
trolled by English capital.
Mr.. Dubois wanted to know if it would
not be advantageous for the government to
build and control railroads, telephones, &c.
THAT is question of general economic
consideration answered Gov. Taft,
which the commission wishes to avoid
Reverting to the subject of corporations
Gov. Taft thought it would be wise for
Congress to give the commission some dis
cretionary power in the matter of the
building of railroads
Would Buy Lands of the Friars.
Gov. Taft said there was nothing more
important for Congress to do than to au-
friars- Nothing gave the Fiipinos so much
trouble as the friars. 1t was hoped that
the friars would go to other countries If
their lands We're purchased but there was
no power to evict them.
Gov. Taft brought up the matter, later
referred to apd explained by Senator Pat
terson on the floor of the Senate relative
to the treason statute of the Philippine
commission. In the course of his remarks
Gov Taft said: While | should like very
much TO earn the appreciation of Senator
Hoar for humanity. 1 must decline to do
pense of seeming to avoid the responsible
ity which is mine much as any of my
colleagues"
Adjourned until tomorrow.