Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1902-02-12


mittee on the Philippines, Governor
Taft reverted to his former testimony
for the purpose Of introducing cable
gram he had received from Acting
Governor Wright urging q reduction
in the tariff on Philippine articles
imported into tho United States from
the Philippines. He said this cable
gram was in response to an inquiry
from himself as to the effect Of a 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 dull or
account OF over production and low
price. Beet sugar planters here have
lost heavily on machinery and other
wise. Sugar cultivation is in bad
condition. Memorials received from
sugar growers association Of Negros
and Panay ask for free trade for this
reason: Think a reduction Of rs pei
cent on sugar and tobacco would be
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
government is desirous of purchasing
the Manila property held by the fIiars
and that 1t would also be desirable tC
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 law is badly needed.
Senator Proctor asked where the
fIiars had secured money with which
to purchase their lands, and this in
quiry led Governor Taft to say that
the fee for marriages. funerals. christ.
enings, ETC., are to be complained Of,
These charges, he said, had led many
couples to live together illicitly, but
that in most cases the obligations
taken were observed.
Again referring to the financial in
terests Of the Philippines, Governor
Taft said that interest rates are as
high as from 20 to 40 per cent and that
It is very necessary that there should
be authority for granting franchises
to financial concerns which would re
duce the interest charges. AS to coin.
age, Governor Taft said that 1t Is de-
sirable that the gold dollar should be
established as a basis. He also advo-
Gated a token coin which should be
exchangeable for gold and the party
assured by the United States. This,
he said, is the plan Of the commission
and he believed it wise. This plan
embraces the coinage Of Philippine
peso and the circulation OF this coin,
he thought, should be confined to the
lei Ea thnn1ht that nnInco tho
commission was authorized to make
token money there would be trouble,
as 1t must be borne in mind that the
Philippine administration is not as
strong as that of an established nation.
Referring to the suggestion that Unit
ed States money should be issued,
Governor Taft said that II this was
done it would have the effect of in
creasing the value of the peso to the
extent of so per cent and this would
unsettle transactions. This plan also
would have the effect of raising the
price OF wages and disturbing business
relations.
Taking up another point of the ad,
iululbtl dtiOus NoNCthoi ldlt
the right Of appeal in certain cases to
the supreme court Of the United
States, especially such cases as would
involve the relationship of church
lands to the government. This he
thought necessary because of the prob
ability of prejudice on the part of the
local courts.
He urged the granting Of power to
steam and electric railroads and light
plants and also made an argument for
authority to create bonded debt Of
s4,000,000 for local improvements in
Manila. II is, he said, especially de-
sirable that there should be electric
lines in that country. because Of the
difficulty of getting about in tropical
climate. He thought no franchise
should be perpetual.
He would also have a wider margin
given in the matter Of cutting timber.
There is magnificent timber through
out the islands and 1t would be bene-
fetal to take much of 1t out. The
quantity which can be taken out now
by one concern is limited to 100,0
cubic feet. He suggested that there
had been some public sensitiveness
on this point because of the interests
Of the lumber and development COM
pany. In reply to Senator Culbertson,
Governor Taft said that he would not
advocate grants Of land that can be