The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-03
BLOW TO PHILIPPINES TARIFF
MEASURE DEFEATED ~ THE
SENATE COMMITTEE.
Refusal TO Report the BIn Fayorably or
Adversely or 10 Amend II In Any Way
Two Republican Senators Help 10
XIII the Administered alton Measure.

Adversely or to Amend II In Any Way
Two Republican Senators Help 10
KIl the Administration Measure.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-While 1t was
understood generally and even conceded
that the Philippines tariff bill, which had
passed the House by TIE enormous ma
jority of 1877, would fail In the Senate, the
defeat Of the measure in the Committee
on the Philippines to-day came as a sur
prise. The opponents Of the bill controlled
the committee and refused to show quarter.
One doubtful Republican member Of the
committee and another who was supposed
to favor the measure, voted against 1t.
These are Senator Dick Of Ohio II Senator
| Nixon of Nevada.
The lineup in the committee when the
question of reporting the bill was put to
the test was; For-Lodge Of Massachu-
sets (~chairman), Long of Kansas and
Beveridge of Indiana, Republicans, and
| McCreary of Kentucky and Carmaok OF
Tennessee, Democrats; against-Hale OF
Maine, Burrows Of Michigan, Brandagee OF
Connecticut, Dick Of Ohio and Nixon of
Nevada, Republicans, and Dubois OF Idaho,
| Stone Of Missouri and Culberson Of Texas,
Democrats. This Administration measure,
as the vote shows, owes its defeat to Repub-
lican Senators.
The opponents OF the bill not only de-
clined to permit it to be reported to the
Senate with an adverse recommendation
but to allow it to be reported at all. just
what course its supporters will now pursue
has not been determined, although their
first tendency was to move in the Senate
that the committee be discharged from
further consideration. II this motion were
carried the bill would come before the
Senate. It is realized, however, hat such
a motion would be defeated and the bill
would be killed.
After the meeting Of the committee to-
day there was an intimation given that the
influence of sugar and tobacco interests In
the committee was not wholly responsible
for the adverse action, but hat irritation
among Republican Senators over President
Roosevelt's attitude on the rate question
had something to do with the result. The
plain inference from this was that the Presi-
dent may find a kindlier feeling for his
Philippine bill among some of his party men
in the Senate il he receives with a greater
degree of encouragement the suggestions
of Republican Senators looking to changes
in the rate bill.
The Philippines tariff bill, now apparently
dead, was one Of four important measures
urged by the President and regarded as
matters of Administration policy. The
others are the Statehood bill, which will
not pass the Senate without changes which
the President opposes; the Santo Domingo
treaty, the fate of which is uncertain with
the chances in favor of its defeat, and the
Hepburn rate bill. Secretary Taft and the
Philippines Government strongly recon-
mend the Philippines tariff bill, which pro-
vides for free rad between the Islands and
the United States, except as to tobacco,
sugar and rice, upon which the duties were
fixed at rs per cent. of the existing Dingley
tariff rates, and for absolute free trade in
three years.
A formidable revolt was organized among
the House Republicans representing dis
tricts where beet sugar and tobacco are
grown, but this went to pieces and the bill
was passed by that body, most of the Re-
publican members and nearly all the Demo-
Gratis voting for it..
There were five separate votes in the
Philippines committee to-day. The COM
mittee voted down a motion that the bill
be reported favorably. and also refused to
report it adversely, to report it without
recommendation, to agree to further con-
sideration and to give free trade to the
Philippines.
Mr.. McCreary, a Democrat, started the
ball rolling with a motion that the bill be
amended so as to give absolute free trade
to the Philippines at once. This was lost,
0 to 4-one Democrat, Dubois of Idaho, to,
voting with the eight Republicans present.
Then Senator Lodge, the chairman, moved
thai the bill be reported favorRbly with the
adverse result, Of which the vote is given
in detail in this despatch.
A motion by Mr.. McCrearv to report the
bill without amendment was laid IN the
table on motion Of Mr.. B~randagee by a vote
of ! to Q. Mr.. Nixon on this motion voted
with Mr.. Lodge and the others composing
the minority. This was ollowed by a mo-
ton by Mr.. Long of Kansas that the COM
mittee adjourn, and this was lost by the
same vote. Mr.. Dick went with the mi
nority members, but his vote was Offset by
a change of Mr.. Nixon to the majority side.
In a final effort to secure action Mr..
Lodge moved that the bill be reported adj
versely. This was lost to 6-Mr. Nixon
crossing over to the minority again and Mr..
Dick re- turning to the majority.