Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-02
FOR A TARIFF DEBATE
Senator Foraker Says Repub!-
licans Are Not Afraid.
INSULAR FREE TRADE
PHILIPPINES SHOULD BE IN
CLASS WITH PORTO RICO.
Naturalization Law Will Have to Be
Amended to Suit Present Condi-
tions-Harbor for Guam.
INSULAR FREE TRADE

''I am not in favor of the republican party
going into the presidential campaign wear
ing gum shoes; put on brogans instead.
Thus SPOKE Senator Foraker of Ohio to a
Star reporter today. The remark was
called forth by the statement that there
was disinclination among some republican
congressman to act on the Philippines tariff
reduction bill for fear that it would precipl-
tate a general tariff debate on the eve OF
the presidential election. Senator Foraker
who is chairman OF the committee OH Pa
cifc islands and Porto Rico, went on to
say:
why should the republican party be
afraid to discuss the tariff at any time? If
there is any policy of legislation with which
the republican party is identified, and
identified, too, to the satisfaction Of the
American people, if election returns can be
taken as an Indication, it is the tariff.
LET them talk tariff, if they want TO-
What have we TO be concerned about! we
admit that some schedules of the D1ngley
tariff act, framed in 1897 may not be alto
gether satisfactory for the conditions. OF
1904, but we will use our own discretion
as to the time and method Of chang ng
them, and take the responsibility before
the country for preventing the unsettling
of industrial and trade conditions.
Il believe there ought to be free trade
with the Philippines, as there Is with Porto
Rico. / believe the Senate VIII at le.s
pass bill reducing the rate of tariff on
the products of the Philippine islands enter
ing this country. That bill should be
passed at the regular session of Congress
this winter, and give the Philippines the
prosperity Governor Taft pleads should be
given them.
What if the bill does lead to general
tariff debate? Has the position of the re-
publican party, which has won on the issue
OF protective tariff, suddenly become such
that we cannot bear to hear that issue de-
bated in Congress-? That is a most re-
markable suggestion. 'eT
1T might be well for the opportunity to
be- offered for the republicans to go on
record and reassure the country. on the
eve of a presidential election, that its policy
In Congress is to preserve the Industrial
stability which has been established under
republican legislation. 1t might not hurt
us to let the democrats give object les
son of what they would do to the tariff, in
the way Of smashing industries. causing the
shutting down of plants and idIeneas OF
labor, If they should get into power.
what will the country think of us If we
refuse to do justice to the people In our'ter-
ritory of the Philippines, as recommended
by republican administration, because we
are afraid to bring on a discussion Of
policy which is one of the foundation stones
of the republican party? Let's give the
democrats all the tariff talk they want.
We can say two words to their one in ap-
pealing to the common sense of the Amer
lean people,"
Senator Foraker said in reference to
Porto Rico that the only legislation of
Importance which he expected this ses-
sion would be the passage of the bill re-
lating to the naturalization of citizens of
the island. 1t passed the Senate in the
last Congress, but final action was pre-
vented by the brevity of the session. At
present the status of the Porto Ricans is
rather indefinite. The first step in the
naturalization of an alien is perseverance,
of allegiance to any foreign power or po-
tentate. AS the Porto Ricans, cannot re-
nounce allegiance to foreign power, not
now bearing such allegiance, it is neces-
sary for Congress to make a change in
the naturalization law so far as applicable
to them. Guam, Samoa and Midway Island
come under the jurisdiction of the commit
tee of which Senate Foraker is chairman,
but there is no legislation of Importance
asked IN their behalf except the improve
ment of the harbor of Midway.