New-York tribune., 1902-01-14
AID FOR PHILIPPINES.
EXCITING TARIFF FIGHT TO
BEGIN ON THURSDAY.
LODGE AND CULBERSON TO LEAD OP-
POSING FORCES-NEW RELIEF PLAN
DEVISED BY THE MASSA-
CHUSETTS SENATOR.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO HE rR1nrnr-

[BY TELEGRAPH TO 1HE rRIBUNEI
Washington, Jan. 13-Beginning on Thursday
the Senate Philippines Committee will take the
centre OF the Congressional stage, and probably
will hold II for an indefinite time-at least for
two three weeks-with only occasional exits
10 make way for measures of less general in
terest but necessary to the proper conduct Of
legislative affairs. Both parties will follow
closely the lines of policy frequently described
IN The Trbune's Washington dispatches, and as
q result it is expected that one of the most X
citing political contests witnessed in Congress in
many day viii ensue, the outcome of which,
Of course, will be a signal and complete victory
for the Republicans and the administration.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. chairman of the
Philippines Committee, will direct the fight for
the administration, and Senator Charles A. Gull
berson. of Texas. will lead the charge of the
Democratic hosts.
DINGLEY RATES CUT q PER CENT.
Senator Lodge to-day summoned in confer
ence In his committee room the majority mem
bers of the committee and carefully went over
with them the details of the Payne bill. devisng
q temporary plan TO raise revenue for the ad-
rninistration OF the Philippine government
He laid before them an amendment to the Payne
bin which he will offer at a full meeting OF
the committee tomorrow or Wednesday, and
which undoubtedly will be adopted by a strict
party vote. just as he has framed it, His
amendment changes the Payne bill TO
make that measure afford to the commerce OF
the Philippines % per cent reduction Of the
Dingley tariff rates all articles imported from
the islands to the United States. The Philippine
Commission recommended a reduction of 90 per
cent, but Senator Lodge and other adninistra-
lion leaders realize that it is impracticable at
present to get through Congress a bill making
such heavy concessions. and SO they have de-
cided 10 adopt the safe of offering such
relief TO the islands is sure to be granted
by Congress
THE RESULT NOT IN DOUBT.
The Massachusetts Senator always farsighted
in vision and skiful in method, sees his way
clear to putting through the bill as it will be
amended by him. and thus giving the Phil
ippine Commission that aid in its great under
taking OF rehabilitating the islands industrially
and restoring peace which it so much needs at
the present juncture While the House Ways
and Means Committee may be expected to make
a show of objection to its bill being changed
by Senator Lodge in the manner indicated still
there is no doubt that the measure will go on
the statute book exactly in the form in which
ft leaves the Senate.
Everybody familiar with Philippine affairs
says that a reduction of 25 per cent will greatly
sInfulate the trade Of the islands with this coun-
try, and by this means give employment to
thousands Of Filipinos who now are secretly if
not openly, in sympathy with the insurgents
The Senate amendment will not in any way
interfere with the revenue scheme devised by
the Taft Commission. On the contrary it will
distinctly indorse that plan, a chief feature of
winch Is an export tax on six of the principal
commodities that are exported from the islands
TO the United States. These commodities with
The export tax each pays under the Taft scheme
Of revenue, as follows:
Raw hemp. 75 cents a hundred kilos.
Indigo, p cents hundred kilos.
Rice, 81 hundred kilos
Cane sugar, , cents a hundred kilos
Cocoanuts and products, 10 cents hundred
kilos
Tobacco. 81 80 81 and 10 cents hundred
kilos according TO classification.
PRESERVING THE OPEN DOOR POLICY.
But these articles, when brought TO the United
States. will not have to pay a double tax after
the Payne bill is modified by the Lodge amend
ment. The amendment will stipulate that all
articles on which an export tax was collected in
the Philippines shall be entered at ports of the
United States at a rate that would bring the
tariff tax them down to the level Of the
Dingley schedules In other words, goods that
come here from the islands bearing an export
tax win get the benefit of the % per cent re-
in the Philippines. This will so equalize mat
ters completely TO remove the export tax
burden from the articles enumerated when they
are brought TO the United States for sale. At
the same time, this plan will not in any way
interfere with the Taft scheme of revenue taxa
ton. 1t also will sustain intact the tariff wall
erected around the Philippines. and likewise
will preserve beyond all possible harm the open
door policy in the Orient Thus every interest
will be carefully guarded, with strict adherence
TO Republican principles and the greatest prac-
ticabe consideration alike for the best interests
Of the Philippines and the United States.
Summarized then, the Lodge plan is this
First-A % per cent reduction of tariff rates
In favor Of Philippine commerce.
Second-The preservation intact Of the tariff
wall around the Philippine Islands, applicable
alike the United States and all the world
Third-The maintenance beyond all danger of
the open door policy.
Fourth-Such additional reduction of the Ding
ley rates on all articles from the Philippines as
pay an export tax there will permit these
articles TO enter United States ports on equal
footing with all articles from the islands that |
are not subjected to an export tax
DEMOCRATS FOR FREE TRADE.
The Democratic plan. as far as outlined and |
agreed upon. is for outright free trade with the
Islands. Il is interesting to observe that under |
The provisions of the recent decision of the Su-
preme Court in the Fourteen Diamond Rings" |
case the Philippines now are on a footing of |
absolute free trade with this country, and that |
the revenues for the support of the insular gov
eminent being beggared. This unhappy |
condition. however. cuts no figure with the |
Democrats so long they think they make |
some political capital out of the present stu |
alton Their five members of the Philippines |
Committee have been meeting almost nightly |
Tor week TO discuss the programme of opposi- |
uon, and finally they have agreed to offer a |