The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-06-01


The cottonseed Oil Duty-schemes
For Bettsring Conditions In the Is
land OF Porto Rico.
Washington, May 31,-[Special. ALI
sorts Of guessing Is being done as to
when congress is likely to adjourn.
On his return from his recent trip to
Virginia and North Carolina President
Taft told some inquirers that he
thought from talks he had had with
the Republican leaders that he would
be asked to sign the tariff bill not
later than June 20. Since then Sena-
tor Aldrich asked unanimous consent
that a vote be taken on the measure
In the senate on June 2, but objections
were raised on both sides of the cham
ber> showing that Republicans as well
as Democrats are not yet willing to
fix limit ON the discussions. Il Mr..
Aldrich had carried his point and
could the bill be passed on that date
In the senate the estimates are that it
would remain in conference between
two and three weeks and possibly
longer This has been the record in
past congresses when tariff laws were
enacted So 1t would seem that Pres
ident Taft is doing more hoping than
the statesmen up on Capitol hill think
the situation warrants. The average
senator and representative is anxious
to close up the business Of the session
as soon as possible, but 1t is realized
that the differences between the SEN
ate and the house are so many 1t will
require great deal of comforting be-
fore they can be adjusted. and SO 1t Is
feared the session will run to the mid
die Of July or longer.
Much Discussion Provoked.
In the Payne bill as it passed the
house cottonseed oil was placed on
the free list In the senate bill a duty
of 8 cents gallon was imposed. being
| cent under the rate In tie Dingley
law The southern senators hoped
on this item sayagely. and SO did Sen
ator BeFeridge Of Indiana, all claim
ing that an article that was practically
not imported into this country needed
no protection Treasury figures show
that in the last year exports OF cotton
seed oil were nearly SIS. 100000 while
the imports were only 5000. Mr.. AL
drich claimed that several mannfac-
turers IN the United States asked for
protection. while the opponents OF the
proposition insisted that if this duty
were levied 1t would cause several
countries in Europe TO resort to re-
taliatory methods. !.
Delay In Adjournment irksome.
In speech the other day Senator
DepeW of New York made the fiat
footed statement that the people were
not nlanifesting any interest in the
tariff discussions and in effect declared
that II congress were to tIufrK1y shut
up shop u usiuid suit the country bet
ter. Those who are pretty well &C.
quainted with Mr. DepeW understand
that 1t is mighty rasping for him to
have to remain in Washington, with
the probability staring him IN the face
that IL he stays here until congress adj
journs his usual trip to Europe will
be considerably curtaiIed this year.
For nearly thirty years he has been
In the habit Of crossing the big pond
every summer He has taken d new
lease on life, and 1t evidently goes
very hard with him to be tied down
and to be compelled to listen to argu
ments relating to the duties on mere
articles of merchandise.
Independence Of Philippines.
Senator Stone of Missouri has pend
ing an amendment to the tariff bill
looking to the independence Of the
Fflipinos within fifteen years after the
passage of the act. To prevent this
amendment from being ruled ont on d
point Of order he has incorporated
some tariff items affecting articles sent
from the Philippines to the United
States and from this country to the
islands. OF course this amendment
has not the slightest show Of being
favorably acted upon this session, but
Mr.. Stone Is a member OF the senate
committee having charge OF Philippine
matters, and 1t will give him an OPP
portunity to state his views regarding
the policy he thinks this government
should pursue toward the islands and
be read with considerable interest, no
doubt, BY the Filipino politicians who
are urging action looking to complete
independence.
schene For Paoifyins Porto Rico.
Representative Douglas Of Ohio
thinks that the most certain method
OF pacifying the people OF the island
OF Porto Rico Is to pave way for
having the gale citizens down there
made citizens Of the United States.
He therefore has prepared and will
press at the winter session OF congress
9 bill permitting the natives under GER
tain conditions to become citizens. Mr..
Douglas has visited this possession OF
Uncle Sam and takes quite lively In
ferest In the questions that have been.
agitatfng the Porto Ricans. He has
had several Tits on the door OF the
house with the commissioner from
Porto Rico. Mr.. Douglas Is the sue