New-York tribune., 1909-04-16
NEW PHILIPPINE TARIFF
PRESIDENT SENDS BILL IO
CONGRESS-.
Measure Intended to Help TRADE
7cith IsIands-PrOmpt 4ct'On
Urged IN Message.
-Frnm III. T-Ihun. Rareau :

A
ted Philippine tariff bill to Congress to-day
In the Senate il was referred 10 the Committee
OF the Philippines without debate. The fact
that this bill had been prepared Toy Colonel
Cotton. whose ability as a,financial expert Is
recognized and that it has the cordial approval
Of General Clarence r. Edwards. chief Of the
bureau Of irsular affairs, win doubtless be ac-
cepod as sufficient guarantee Of its advisa7llltV
at the Senate end of the Capitol, and it is not
expected that more than one meeting Of the
Philippines Committee Will be necessary 10 con-
slider and report the measure. II VIII prooaoIS
be adopted without amendment.
Representative Payne introduced the bill in
the House and il was referred to the WAYS and
Means Committee 1t Will be considered as soon
as the absent Republican members return to
Washington. They have been sent for. and viii
probably arrive by t3e end of the week, when
the bill viii be taken up Mr.. Payne said to-
DAY that he anxious to comply with the
Presidents request and realized the necessity
for an equalization Of the Philippine tariff in
order that il might not conflict in any particu-
lar with the new tariff law and that the Philip
pihes might not suffer from any delay on the
zart Of this government. He said he had not
read the bill hut was sure the committee would
thoroughly master It after careful study and
would be able 70 make an intelligent defence or
criticism 4 meeting Of the committee will
probably be called on Monday.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
The Presidents message transmitting the bill
follows:
To the Senate and House Of Representatives:
transmit herewith communication from the
Secretary Of War inClosing one from the Chief
Of the bureau Of insular affairs, in which IS
transmitted A proposed tariff revision law for
the Philippine Islands.
This measure revises the present Philippine
tariff suplihcs il and makes ii conform as
nearly possible 70 the regulations OF the Gus
toms laws Of the United States. especially with
respect to packing and packages. The present
Philippine regulations have been cumbersome
and difficult for American merchants and eX-
i,orters 90 comply with. Its purpose is to meet
the new conditions that will arise under the sec
ton of the pending United states tarln Dill
which provides with certain limitations for free
trade between the United States and the islands
II is drawn with view TO preserving TO III
islands as much customs revenue as possible
and 10 protect in reasonable measure those
industries which now exist in the islands.
The bill now transmitted has been drawn by
board Of tariff experts, OF which the ansular
collector Of customs Colonel George r. Cotton,
was the president. Tie board held great
many open meetings in Manila, and conferred
fully with representatives Of all business inter
ests IN the Philippine Islands. II Is OF great
Importance 70 the welfare of the islands that the
bill should be passed the same time with the
pending PAYNE bill with special reference 10 the
provisions Of which il was prepared
] respectfully recommend that this bill be
enacted al the present session Of Congress as
one incidental 10 and required by the passage
Of The PaYne bill. WILLIAM h. lar l.
The White House, April Il, 1909
Secretary Dickinson. in forwarding the papers
10 the President. says:
So have not had time to examine the bill in de-
tail and have not sufficient acquaintance with
the subject 10 say whether or not IL Is what IL
should be- but General Edwards, who is famil-
lar with the matter. coTnmends II ana nave
no doubt that with your own familiarity with
the subject you will be able to dispose of it
GENERAL EDwARDs's LETTER
The letter of General Edwards. which is dated
Aprjl / and addressed 10 Secretary Dickinson,
after describing the measure and its purposes in
NUN the same language the President uses,
says:
It viii be understood that the result Of the
free admission Of American goods into the
Philippine Islands must revoluton1ze business
in the Philippines. and unless the adoption Of
that policy is accomplished by revision Of the
present Philippine tariff il viii be disastrous to
some important industries in the islands, and
also result in such serious loss to the customs
revenue 10 embarrass the Philippine govern
ment-
II has had publicity in the United States and
Il is believed that contending interests have
been reconcied. ana, as far as schedules are
concerned, il should meet with opposition.
For instance. the schedules relating TO the in
PRODUCTION Of tobacco. Sumatra leaf and sugar
are made identical with the pending Payne bill,
and therefore have removed the apprehension
that these goods can be imported into the
Philippine Islands al d less tariff rate and
-r4er-ce into thu United States free the growth
ard product Of the Philippine Islands
The proposed revision has the approval of the
Governor General and government he repre-
sents in the Philippine Islands.
II is therefore respectfully suggested that this
hill be presented as practicable and the
f-,portance Of its passage at this session OF
Congress for the reasons stated, be impressed
upon that body
FEATURES OF THE MEASURE.
The bill in the opinion Of Collector Cotton,
viii prove Of material value to the American ex-
rorter Features Of the old Spanish and Cuban
Tariffs which vexatious and annoying 10
both exporter and importer have been elm