The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-16
TAFT is FOR IT.
Explains Details of Proposed
Philippine Tariff Reductions
Says That 1t Won't Hurt Amer
lean Industries.
BEET SUGAR QUESTION
Appears to Be One That Is
Foremost.
Mr.. Vernon Will Have Little
Patronage at Disposal.

Washington. Feb. 15.-William H.
Taft, secretary of war who was cover
nor general of the Philippine Islands for
several years, and familiar with condi-
tons in the islands, as we'll as in the
United States, has been testifying for
the past week before the committee on
the Philippines of the senate, in behalf
of the bill to reduce duties on sugar
tobacco and rice from the Philippine
Islands into the United States to 25 per
cent OF the Dingley act.
Secretary Taft does not believe any
American industry will be injured by
the reduction. He does not agree with
the beet sugar people, who say their
industry Will be ruined He thinks he
knows the productiveness and possible
tiles of the Philippine stands and does
not believe that, even though the pro-
duction of sugar therein should ma
terially increase, it viii reach point
which will endanger the American in
dustry.
Senator Long, who is a member of the
committee on the Philippines. and Who,
with Mr.. Curtis and Mr.. Scott, accom-
panied Secretary Taft to the islands last
summer and fall, has been paying close
attention to this question, and drew out
the secretary at the hearings. He sug-
gested several lines on which the secre-
]
lightened the committee.
Senator Newlands, a Democrat. who is
rot q member of the committee, butwho
is violently opposed to the tariff reduc-
ton and who was member of the
Taft party, appeared recently before the
committee and testified that he did not
I oppose the proposed legislation so much
on the theory that it would inJuTe the
beet sugar industry, as upon the theory
/ that such faVoring legislation would
| bind the Philippine Islands, the more
| closely to this country; and thus pre-
clude the more any possibility OF TINS
] country dropping them. he was unal-
/ terab bly, opposed TO the permanent feteh-
/ ton of the islands.
Secretary Taft adverted to Senator
/ Newlands' testimony and made point
when he declared that, granting much
! Of Senator Newlands' fears and doubts,
/ it was only the more necessary that II
we were only to retain the Islands
/ temporarily. it would be the part OF
wisdom. from Senator Newlands' own
standpoint, to hasten the departure oil
the islands from this country by treat
I ing them in the kindliest and most
/ benefcent way; contributing to their
/ nrosnerirv ana financial and physical
/ happiness. He deprecated the idea OF
/ Senator Newlands, which is to make d
/ cash present to the islands In. lieu OF
! the amount which would accrue to
/ them by reason of tariff reduction.
Senator Long continues to be active
j in fhe examination of with esSeS VINO
+ aDpear before the committee. He may
make A speech on the bill when it gets
/ into the senate.
Senator Long is gratifed to have the
satisfaction of knowing. in view of
some criticism against his course IN re-
speet of this proposed Philippine tarIn
reduction. coming as it does from
western Kansas and eastern Colorado
and the beet people, that every mem
her of the Kansas house delegation
voted for the bilL His attitude only
makes the entire delegation solid on
this measure, In support Of it, and Of
the administration.
When DR.. William T Vernon is con-
frmed to be register of the treasury,
he Will have little if any patronage
He will like all bureau chiefs in the
department., probably be allowed to
designate outside of the classified ser
vice a private secretary, and possibly q
messenger but doubtless this viii be
all Practically every position in the
bureau is within the classified service
There has been number of persons
from Kansas who desired positions IN
der DR.. Vernon when he comes into
possession Of the office.
Two former Kansans have been work
ing hard here the past week to legalize
the removal OF their county seat IN Ok
iahona, and have succeeded In getting
their bill through the house Of represen-