Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-18
TROUBLE limited At
Proposed Reduction of the
Tobacco Tariff.
CONCERN OF THE TRADE
VIEW EXPRESSED OF SECRETARY
TAFT's PROPOSITION.
Believed That the Plan Will Cause a
Lively Stir in Con-
gress.

Just at the present time 1t looks very
much as II there would be trouble, and lots
of Ii, in the coming session of Congress In
connection with the Philippine tariff The
tobacco interests of the United States are
apparently very much stirred up re-
suit of the statement made at the close OF
the cabinet meeting last Friday that Sec
rotary Taft had announced his intention OF
bringing before Congress at an early date
the question of reducing the tariff on I'M
portations into the United States from the
Philippines from I5 per cent to % per cent
of the Dingley rates
Last year Secretary Taft is understood to
have favored a reduction on mportations
from the Philippines into this country to
10 per cent of the Dingley rates and now
advocates a still further reduction owing to
what he considers the added burden placed
on the archipelago by the present law re-
quiring such importations to be carried eX-
clusively in American bottoms. 1t is not
generally believed that the general subject
of tariff revision will be taken up at the
coming short session of Congress, owing to
lack of time and other reasons even more
important. unless 1t Is brought about by
unlooked-fOr developments. and the posi-
bility of President Roosevelt calling an ex-
ira session of Congress to consider the
matter is believed to be rather remote.
Would Cause Lively Fight.
But it Is foregone conclusion that if
the Secretary of War follows the intention
he is said to have expressed at the cabinet
meeting last week and brings before Con-
gress the question of reducing the present
duty on importations from the Philippines,
a lively fight is certain to be precipitated.
The tobacco interests want the tariff on to-
bacco to remain where ii is at present
that Is at 20 per cent of the rates
fixed by the Dingley act. The reduction of
this rate to 30 per cent of the Dingley
tariff would meet with decided opposition.
but some of the leading representatives of
the tobacco interests admit that while this
cut would be harmful it would not be ruin
But one and all bitterly opposed
to a further reduction and are not at all
backward in saying so. Those administra-
ton republicans in the House who in
dorsed Secretary Tafts plans would OF
course receive the support of the demo-
cratic representatives. While a large num-
Der of republicans who are high protec-
tionists principle and who do not be-
lieve that the duty of the United States to
the Philippines includes the reduction of
the Philippine tariff to a point dangerous
to American industries would undoubtedly
be aligned in opposition.
An editorial of considerable length ex-
pressing In interesting and significant terms
certain ideas of the tobacco trade on this
question was recently published In the off,
cial organ of the tobacco interests The
article in question is in part as follows:
A Tobacco Papers Opinion.
THE country knows that the protective
system will remain the bulwark of the
policy OF the party In power, and the
trade need not fear the ups and downs of
reversal OF such policy except In one
instance, and that is In respect to the
Philippines. But the United States To-
bacco Journal is in a position to state that
Secretary Taft's hobby of free trade in
cigars and tobacco with the Philippines-a
hobby shared as such by the democratic
party. at least by its representatives in
Congress-is not likely to materialize. We
have reason TO believe that President
Roosevelt will not sanction it. Our belief
is based on certain authoritative Informal
ton obtained during the late campaign.
Although II appeared to be listless and
apathetic campaign up to a week or two
before its close, the trusted representatives.
of the trade bestirred themselves most
effectively, though secretly and discreety,
Nth the result that Secretary Taft all at
once dropped his advocacy of free trade
with the Philippines. Every observant
newspaper reader must have noticed this
change directly effected by trade influences
which the Journal is at present not at
liberty to further disclose or discuss BY
this, however we do not mean to convey
the impression that all danger of further
reduction OF llG DlnSley rates on Philip
pine cigars and tobacco has passed,
Only we satisfied that the trade Is
likely to make better compromise on this
Issue with President Roosevelt and a re-
publican Congress than 1t could have dope
with President and party pledged to free
trade In general and with the Philippines in
particular.
Has Confidence in President
AS for the other and minor matters af-
fecting the peculiar interests of the trade,
it Is our firm opinion that II they are
brought 10 the attention of the admnistra-
ton in the same discreet and vigorous way
as the Philippine question was, they will
find an equally sympathetic response. And
If this process does not givo a gratifying
result publicity should be pressed into the
trades service it done with such
astounding effect In the stamp question.
in this stamp question President Roosevelt
was made aware for the first time of the
vast Importance of the trade and he is not
likely to forget it, He is universally held
to be a man of strong and honest convlc-
lions and imbued with an indopit IA BILE
courage which makes him an Irresistible
champion OF any cause he embraces. IL
the trade wants TO succeed In any particu-
lar measure it has at heart. all 1t has to do
Is to enlist the sympathy OF the President.
and one of the ways to do 1t is through
publicity. AS on the eve Of his great tri-
for every one with Partially 10 none, and
after his unprecedented vindication not to
be "A candidate for reelection President
Roosevelt can be counted upon 10 stand by
his pledge like a rock. Under such auspices
trade affairs will be safe in his hands IL
but the right way is taken both to his
heart and head"
Tobacco Trade Alarmed.
Since the above expression of the views
OF the tobacco trade was made public, Sec
rotary Tafts intention to bring before Con-
gress the question OF reducing the Dingey
tariff on tobacco imported into the United
States from the Philippine islands has been
known. and from the indications that have
reached Washington the trade is greatly
alarmed. Nothing would contribute more
to the prospect for a lively time at the
coming session than for Secretary Taft to
carry out his present plans. There would
be more than appropriation bills discussed
at the session, and IN the end the matter
would possibly result In all the advocates