The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-28
Substantial Reduction in the Tariff
Urged as a Means Of Relieving
Commercial Distress.
CABLE FROM GOVERNOR TAT,
TELLING OF CONDITIONS OF BUSI-
NESS IN THE ISLANDS.
Administration Has Little Hope q
Averting an Extra Session of
the Senate.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-The President
this afternoon sent the following message
to the Senate:
81 have just received a cable from Gov
ernor Taft which runs as follows: 'Neces-
sity for passage of the House tariff bill
Is most urgent The conditions of produc-
tive industry and business are considera bly,
worse than in November, the date of last
report, and growing worse each month.
Some revival in sugar and tobacco prices
is due to expectation of the tariff law. The
interests of the Filipinos in sugar and to-
bacco are extensive, and failure of the bill
will be blow in the face of those inter-
eSts A number of tobacco factories will
have to close and many sugar haciendas
will be put up for sale at sacrifice if the
bill does not pass. Customs receipts have
fallen off this month one-third showing
decrease of the purchasing power of the
islands. General business is stagnant All
political parties including labor unions,
most strenuous in petitioning for the
tariff bill. The effect of its failure will be
very diScouraging.'
Vice Governor Luke Wright indorses
in the strongest manner all that Governor
Taft has said and states that he has a
grave apprehension as to the damage that
may come to the islands if there is not a
substantial reduction in the tariff levied
against Philippine goods coming into the
United States. l earnestly ask that this
matter receive the earliest attention of
Congress and that the relief prayed for be
granted
LAS Congress knows, a series of calam-
tiles have befallen the Philippine people.
Just as they were emerging from nearly
SIX years OF devastating warfare. with the
accompanying destruction of property and
the breaking up OF the bonds of social or
der and the habits of peaceful industry.
there occurred an epidemic of rinderpest
which destroyed 80 per cent. of the cara
boas, the Philippine cattle, leaving the
people without draught animals to till the
lands or to aid in the ordinary work of
farm and village life The extent of the
disaster cannot be seen from the fact that
the surviving caraboas have increased over
tenfold in value. AT the same time pc
culiar Oriental horse disease became cpl
demic, further Gripping the transportation.
The rice crop, already reduced by various
causes to but fourth of its ordinary size,
has been damaged by locusts so that the
price of rice has nearly doubled.
Under these circumstances there is imi-
nent danger of a famine in the islands
priating 100000 to meet the immediate
needs, but the indispensable and re-eminent
need is the resurrection of productive in
dustry from the prostration into which it
has been thrown by the causes above
enumerated. 1 ask action in the tariff mat
ter not merely from the standpoint of wise
governmental policy, but as a measure of
humanity In response to an appeal to which
this great people should not close it's ears.
I'VE have assumed responsibilities toward
the Philippine islands which we are in honor
of taking every measure in our power to
see to their prosperity. The most important
step in this direction has been ACCOMPLISHED
by the joint action of the military and civil
authorities in securing peace and civil gov
eminent. The wisdom of Congress at the
present session has provided for them a
stable currency, and its spirit of humane
liberality and justice toward them will be
shown in the appropriation now substan-
TALLY agreed upon of 100000 to meet the
pressing immediate necessities; but there
remains vital need that one thing further
shall be done. The calamities which have
befallen them as above enumerated could
have been averted by no human wisdom.
They cannot be completely repaired, but
the suffering can be greatly alleviated and
permanent basis of future prosperity as
sured if the economic relations of the
islands with the United States are put upon
a satisfactory basis"