Evening star., 1904-03-16
URGES OVER RATES
SECRETARY TAFT ON THE PHIL
IPPINE TARIFF.
Reduction Would Increase Revenue
Internal Improvements in the ISL
ands Imperatively Demanded.

Secretary Taft continued his explanation
to the House committee on insular affairs
today as to conditions in the Philippines,
particularly with reference to the neces-
sity of railroad building Taking up first
the question of internal improvements in
the islands, Secretary Taft read a cable
gram from Gov. Wright suggesting the
Sln.OtD.OO0 bond issue for such improve
ments In this cablegram Gov. Wright
said that in the last six months the Gus
toms receipts had fallen of - per cent
while we hope that this is due to tenn
porary causes" said Gov. Wright, "at the
same time we do not feel safe in making
IL creased expenditures for improvements.
Reduction in Tariff Rates.
''If we can induce Congress next year 10
make trade free reduce the tariff 10 to
% per cent of the Dingley rates. said
Secretary Taft. I'VE can show an income
greatly in excess of the present"
Secretary Taft declared his belief that
the $40 1000 bond issue could be sold at
par at per cent interest. In answer to
question az to whether the Philip ppine COM
mission has the power to issue bonds. sec
Tetary Taft said that according to the doc
trine that the mention of one thing ex-
cludes another it would seem that 1t had
not such authority. In the Philippines gov
ernment act the commission was expressly
authorized to issue bonds for a certain pur-
pose. If this had not been mentioned the
commission might be held to have author
ity However, with the least doubt upon
the question the government would have
to pay at least or per cent more FOR It's
loan than otherwise. 1t was for this rea-
son that it is highly desirable to get i'm
mediate action on the bill that the friar
bond issue may not be 80 dlscredited.
Effect of Bond Issue.
Secretary Taft told of the necessity of the
municipal improvements contemplated.
There are 900 towns which need water sup
plies and sanitation. The contemplated
bond issue would make IT possible to sup
ply between 800 and 400 of these towns and
greatly increase their health conditions.
Proposed Bond Issue.
The exact liability the United States was
assuming in the proposed bond issue was
discussed at length by the Secretary and
committee. 1t was desirable. the Secretary
said to have the preliminary approval Of
the President and Secretary of War to
the bond issue that the bonds might be
more readily marketed.
Secretary Taft turned his attention next
to the section of the bill providing that the
collections under the immigration laws
should be covered into the Philippine treas
ury. Delegate Degetau of Porto Rico ques
toned the Secretary as to the effectiveness
of the enforcement of the Chinese exclu-
sion laws in the islands. The census showed
but 10000 Cinnamon In Manila. whereas it
was supposed there were double that num-
Der. The inducements for a Chinaman to
evade the law were great, but the Sec
retary believed the law was as vigorously
enforced as in the United States
Secretary Taft believed that the salaries
OF the judges of the supreme court in the
Islands should be raised to 0OOO. 1t was
difficult to retain men on the bench there
at the salary paid. Secretary Taft will
continue his testimony tomorrow