The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-07
PHILIPPINE REVENUES
Discussed by Gov. Taft Before the
Senate Committee.

Washington, Feb. THE senate COM
! mittee on Philippines today continued
| it's consideration of the question of the
| revenue of the Philippines islands, Gov
! ernor 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 sub
Stantial reduction of the rates of the
Dingley law, so far as they apply to
the Philippines, saying he feared that
the statement might be misunderstood.
The idea, he had meant to convey by
that statement was that the Philippine
commission welcomes every evidence OF
a desire on the part of the Americans to
aid the Philippine people and he believ-
ed that any such evidence of diScrimi-
nation would aid the Philippine admin
istration and its 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 are 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 report that such
a reduction would cause an advance in
trade by leaps and bounds" He did
not mean to withdraw the recommends
tion-on the contrary he would be glad
to have reduction of 80 per cent. Cow
ernor Taft also explained that he had
not intended to convey the idea that
the 100000 acres of land in the Phil
ippines, not controlled by private own
erShip, is arabic. Much of the area
is, he said, covered by mountain ranges
and is not therefore capable of cultiva-
ton.
In response to suggestion from Sen
ator Culberson, Governor Taft said he
did not think the bill providing a tariff
between the United States and the Phil
ippines should be temporary, as is the
case with reference to the Porto Rican
bill.
Spea king of the new revenue bill
passed by the Philippine commission, he
said that far the effect is conject-
ural, but that it was hoped the amount
under the impetus it would give to the
trade would soon equal the returns Sc
cured under the old laws which was
SO, 000, 900 or 5000, 900. There had so
far been a great increase in the impor-
tation of food products especially can
ned goods which came principally from
the United States and Spain.
Governor Taft next explained the
contracts which have been let for har-
Dor improvements, involving an expen-
diture of $3,000,000 and in response to
questions by Mr.. Hale said that con-
tracts also had been let for the con-
struction of twenty launches or small
seagoing boats for the transportation
of mail of provincial officers. The cost
for these boats will be $1,000, 900. He
had asked for bids from San Francisco,
commission was obliged to contract for
them with Shanghai and Japanese
firms
Governor Taft asked for power to
pass general corporation laws. Most of
the enterprises there now, he explained,
are controlled by English capitalists.
Mr.. Dubois wanted to know if it
would not be advantageous for the gov
eminent to build and control railroads,
telephones, etc. THAT is a question of
general economic consideration an
swered Governor Taft, which the COM
mission wishes to avoid"
RRVartiney TO the subject of cOrDOra-
tions, Governor Taft thought it would
be wise for congress to give to the COM
mission some discretionary power in
matter of building railroads.