Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-04
FACES
VACANT CHAIRS
ONLY ELEVEN C0NGRESSMEN
ANSWER ROLL CALL
Philippine Islands Again Are Heard
from in Speech of Resident Com
missioner, Who Discusses
Revision
rBy Associated Press.I

WASHINGTON, April g. - Eleven
members were in their seats today
when the house of representatives met
to further consider the Payne tariff
bill. 1t was the smallest attendance Oh
the special session and demonstrated
the fact that interest in the debate had
practically disappeared.
Mr. Sparkman, Democrat, of Florida
opened the discussion with an earnest
plea for restoration of the Iingley
rate on lumber and the imposition OF a
duty of cents pound on all cotton
imported into the United States.
While declaring he would vote for the
BILL Mr.. Kinkaid, Republican, of Ne
braska entered a strenuous objection to
the taxing of these necessaries of life.
which are not produced in this country.
The proposed tax on tea and the
countervailing duty on coffee, he said,
were especially obnoxious to him, and
he urged their removal. Mr.. Kinkaid
also opposed the placing of hides on
the free list.
The Philippine islands were again
heard from when Benito LeGarda, res
ident commissioner. spoke in opposition
to the proposed free trade between that
possession and the United States.
His views were practically along the
lines expressed yesterday by his col
league, Ocampo DeLeon.
He pointed out that the admission of
300, 900 tons of Philippine sugar free into
the United States would not improve
conditions in the islands Immediately,
because the industry had declined one
half during American occupation and
because China was the natural mar
ket for that sugar.
Industry Has Declined
Immediate benefit. might no accrue
to the tobacco industry, either he said.
"Had the proposition for reciprocal
free trade been made before the Phil
ippine assembly was constituted" said
Mr.. Legarda, very little If any oppo-
sition would have been made to this
measure. But today that assembly
wishes us respectfully to present their
wishes before this house in order that
you who come so directly from the
American people may pass Judgment
on the claims of those over whom you
exercise sovereignty.
''If, instead of the free admission
without limitation as to quantity Of
American products into the Philippine
island, this bill provided only the free
entry there of agricultural machinery
and other commodities of prime recip-
rocity (such as cotton cloth) and which
are needed for the agricultural and in
dustrial development of those islands,
OF IL ITlS Dlil pIONlucO Ollly lOl SuCl Us
ciprocal exchange of commodities. GUS
toms duty free, as would balance the
limited quantity of American products
to be sent from here-if such were the
provisions of this BILL it would be our
pleasant duty as representatives of the
Philippine people to make manifest to
this house their gratitude.
"The Filipino people are not ungrate-
full for what the American government
has accomplished and is accomplishing
for them in those islands. In several
respects the laws there are as good as
in some of the most advanced states of
this Union.
''My firm conviction remains un-
shaken that a prosperous and happy
future smiled on the Philippine islands
from the moment the Americans plant
ed there the flag which represents lib
erty, progress and civilization"
Divesting himself, he said, of all
political feeling, Mr.. Cox. Democrat, of
Indiana, opposed the Payne bill ad-
vancing the argument that instead of
being revenue producer it would
prove to be revenue consumer. He
was especially antagonistic to the
drawback feature of the measure.
The placing of wood pulp on the free
list and the reduction of the duty on
printing paper We're opposed by Mr.
Maltby of New York. Maintaining that
the bill was discriminatory Mr.. SABBATH
of Illinois attacked the proposed in
creases on the necessaries of life and on
wearing apparel, especially gloves.