The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1902-02-14
AFFAIRS N THE Philippines
TAFT PRESENTS HIS VERSION.
Hi. Testimony ON the Trade and
Financial Affairs of the Islands to
the Senate Committee-The Friars
Receive From 20 to 40 Per Cent
ON Loans.

his narrative before the senate con
mittee on the Philippines. Governo
Taft reverted to his former testimon
for the purpose of introducing cable
gram he had received from Actin
Governor Wright urging reduction
in the tariff on Philippine articles
imported into the United States from
the Philippines. He said this cable
gram was in response to an inquir,
from himself as to the effect of re
duction of so per cent. The reply Of
Acting Governor Wright is as follows:
"Manila.-The public session of sug
ar and tobacco interests favor a re
duction of IS per cent at least. A re-
duction OF so per cent leaves tariff
almost prohibitive. Sugar prices very
low; European markets very duh on
account OF over production and low
price. Beet sugar planters here have
lost heavily on machinery and other
wise. Sugar cultivation is in a bad
condition. Memorials received from
sugar growers association of Negroes
and Panay ask for free trade for this
reason: Think a reduction of is per
cent on sugar and tobacco would be
a measure of relief and have excellent
political effect"
Senator Rawlins questioned Govern
or Taft concerning the holdings OF the
friars- The governor said he thought
the general opinion as to their wealth
and holdings had been greatly exag-
gerated- He did not believe. for in
stance. than they had three fourths
of the property owned in the cities
That. however, the religious orders
have ready cash was true. as was
evidenced by the fact that they make
loans. He instanced case in which
the friars had advanced money to pro-
mote corner in hemp which after
ward failed because of irregularities
on the part OF the manager.
Governor Taft said the Philippine |
is DESTROYS of purchasing !
the Manila property held by the friars
and that it would also be desirable to
secure their holdings of agricultural
lands. In Connection with the loaning
Of money by the friars. Senator Lodge
asked about the necessity for bank
ing law and the witness replied that
such a law is badly needed.
Senator Proctor asked where the
riars had secured money with which
% purchase their lands. and this in
Jury led Governor Taft to say that
he fee for marriages, funerals. christ
.nings. ETC., are to be complained of. /,
These charges. he said, had led many
.ouples to live together illicitly, but q
hat in most cases the obligations r
AIKEN were observed. :
Again referring to the financial in Z
erests OF the Philippines. Governor a
Taft said that interest rates are as |
Ugh as from 20 to 40 per cent and that v
is very necessary that there should I
e authority for granting franchises "
o financial concerns which would re-
uce the interest charges. AS to coin il
ge. Governor Taft said that it is de- I
irable that the gold dollar should be "
established as basis. He also advo-
ated token coin which should be
for gold and the party
ssured by the United States. This. Ii
G said, is the plan Of the commission st
nd he believed it wise. This plan is
the coinage of a Philippine b,
ESQ and the circulation Of this coin, "
e thought. should be confined to the to
lands. He thought that unless the Vi
1mmission was authorized to make so
,ken money there would be trouble,
5 1t must be borne in mind that the
hilippine administration Is not as
rong as that Of an established nation. la
eferring to the suggestion that Unit ri
States money should be issued, hr
overnor Taft said that If this was tn
1ne it would have the effect Of In.
easing the value Of the peso to the
ttent OF 80 per cent and this would Pe
lsettle transactions. This plan also ee'
ould have the effect of raising the
ice Of wages and disturbing business
lations.
Taking up another point Of the adj ma
Governor Taft advocated Of
G right Of appeal in certain cases to "a
g supreme court of the United -"
ates. especially such cases as would eeh
yolye the relationship Of church ,ie
nds to the government. This he 's'
ought necessary because of the prob
ility Of prejudice on the part Of the
al courts. =
He urged the granting Of power to I f's
commission to give franchises for ~,
'am and electric railroads and light ~
Ints and also made an argument for On,
thority to create bonded debt Of
100000 for local improvements in
mia. 1t is, he said, especially de- y
able that there should be electric w