The Washington times., 1907-12-26
PHILIPPINE TARIFF
TO TAKE BOARDS
House to Consider Measure
1t Passed Session Be-
fore Last
Taft's Chances for PreSi-
dency Will Aid or
lnjure Bill.

The Philippine tariff bill will be the
subject Of a great deal Of attention in
Congress after the holiday recess Last
session the bill, which had passed the
House the first session of the Fifty
ninth Congress, was in the Senate, in
charge OF Senator Lodge. 1t was re-
ferred TO the Philippines committee,
where all efforts 70 get a favorable re-
port on It failed. This year the bill has
been introduced in the House. 1t is in
substantially the same terms as before
and is intended TO admit TO the United
States free OF duty all articles raised
IN the Philippines except sugar, tobac-
co and rice on which a duty of . per
cent is to be levied.
Hearings viii be begun in the House
Ways and Means Committee on this
bill after the recess. AS before, sugar
rice and tobacco interests viii oppose
the proposed legislation strongly on
the other hand. Secretary Taft. who has
just returned from the Philippines, will
use his utmost effort TO get the bill
passed.
He has come back from the islands
more impressed than ever with the
need Of providing the Philippines a mar
ket In this country, and more earnest
duty OF the United States 20 take this
step for the betterment OF the business
of the insular possessions.
Secretary Taft will be heard by the
ways and Means Committee, and will
undoubtedly have a great deal OF new
evidence 10 present showing how the
bill would help the FilipinOs. Secretary
Iaft, however. will find himself op-
posed by the high-tarif leaders in the
House and Senate. and ne may conclude
10 make number Of speeches about
the country. in which he will plead for
better treatment Of the FiHpinOs
II Is not unlikely the fate OF the Phil
lpplne tariff bill will depend in some
degree on the progress which Secretary
Iaft makes as candidate for Presi-
dent. As an aspirant for the White
House without chance of success ne
would be given but scant consideration
IN Congress, but now that he is looming
up as probably the strongest man In
the Presidential race his efforts will, IN
all Likelihood, have great weight with
large Republican element in both
houses.
That the Philippine tarIT bill IS In
some degree involved with Presidential
politics Is shown by the fact that rep
resentatives or the sugar, rice, and to-
Dacco interests are working TO defeat
the nomination OF Taft. They are well
aware that with Taft in the White
House II would be almost impossible "a
prevent legislation for a lower tariff on
articles from the Philippines.
Il is known they are trying 70 further
the interests Of other aSpirauts for the
White House than Taft and II the
latter IS nominated Il Is not unlikely
they Will go so far as TO use their infiu.
ence FOR his defeat at the polls.
Il was said on good authority today
that the outcome of the efforts to gei
the Philippine tariff bill passed this ses
sion would be substantially the same as
last session; in other words. that tho
bill would get past the House and would
get as far as the Senate Philippines
Committee, where il would be blocked
Senator CulbersOn, in selecting Demo-
Gratis to MI vacancies on that commit
tee. picked Senator Teller and Senator
Newlands- Senator Teller in particular
IS relied on to do his utmost against
lowering OF duties on articles from the
Philippines, as Colorado is q leading
beet-sugar State.
Senator Culberson is said to be aiming
not so much at the Philippine tariff as
at Secretary Taft as a candidate fOl
President. He considers Taft would bt
weakened by failure to get any Philip
pine tariff legislation.