Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-04-16
President Sends to Congress
Special Message Asking for
Revenue for Islands and Pro-
lection for Island Industries.
PRESENT CONDITIONS
CAUSE OF PROTESTS
FROM PHILIPPINES
Amendment Urged is to Interfere as
Little as Possible With Present
Free Trade Relations Between Is
land and the United States.
By Associated Press.)

CBy Associated PTsas.)
WASHINGTON. April I5.-The presi-
dent today sent 10 congress a special
message in relation TO the Philippine tar
off. The message transmits recommends
tions BY the secretary of war for re-
vision Of the Philippine tariff so as to
permit as much customs revenue as pos
sible for the islands and at the same time
TO extend to the islands the principle Of
a protective tariff for it's industries.
Under the conditions which will arise
from the enactment OF the tariff bin
pending in congress. which provides I'M
der certain conditions for free trade be-
tween the Philippines and the United
States the revenues OF the island will be
considerably affected and numerous
protests have been received here on this
account The proposed amendments 10
the bin are 10 interfere little as posi-
bic with these free trade conditions and
at the same time permit collection Of am
pie revenue.
Submitted to Both Houses
The message and accompanying letters
OF recommendation from Secretary Of
War Dickinson and General Clarence r.
E4MdEA<a GAlAGA u AAAE AAASAAdA 0AA "a
the war department, with a copy Of the
proposed act. were submitted TO both
houses OF congress shortly after they con-
vened-
Generally speaking. the bill submitted
BY the president makes slight increase
in the rates OF duty now provided in
the Philippine tariff. but its trainers say
its tendency is TO insure as IA ras practi-
cable the benefit Of the Philippine market
for American manufactures and products.
The bin makes some additions TO the free
list
There will be an increase in internal
revenue duties BY which il is hoped to
make up the loss which the Philippine is
lands viii sustain by the operations OF
the free trade provisions in the pending
Payne tariff bill
Text of the Message
The internal revenue laws for the Phil
ippines are enacted by the Philippine
assembly.
The presidents message follows:
ITO the Senate and House Of Represen-
tatives:
Il transmit herewith a communication
from the secretary OF war. enclosing one
from the chief OF the bureau OF insulaI
affairs. in which has been transmitted a
proposed tariff revision law for the Phil
ippin eislands-
This measure revises the present Phil
ippine tariff. simpliies it and makes 1t
conform as nearly as possible TO the reg
ulations OF the customs laws Of the Uni
ted States. especially with respect to
packing and packages The present
Philippine regulations have been cumber-
some and difficult for American mer-
chants and exporters to comply with.
Its purpose Is to meet the new con-
ditions that viii arise under the section
OF the pending United States tariff bill
which provides. with certain limitations,
for free trade between the United States
and the islands. II is drawn with view
70 preserving to the islands as much Gus
toms revenue as possible and to protect
in a reasonable measure these indus
tries which now exist in the islands.
Drawn by Experts
The bin now Transmitted has been
drawn by a board OF tariff experts OF
which the insular collector of customs.
Colonel George r. Cotton, was the pres
ident The board held a great many open
meetings in Manila and conferred fully
with the representatives Of all business in
terests in the Philippine islands. 1t is OF
great Importance to the welfare of the
islands that the bill should be passed
at the same time with the pending Payne
bill. with special reference to the pro-
visions Of which il was prepared.
Il respectfully recommend that this
bill be enacted AT the present session OF
congress as one incidental to and re-
quired BY the passage Of the Payne bill
CSigned) WIN. H. TAFT"
What Dickinson Says
Secretary OF War Dickinson. in forward
ing the papers to the president, said:
Il have not had time to examine the
bill in detail and have not sufficient ac-
quaintance with the subject to say wheth-
er or not Il is what IL should be- but
General Edwards. who is familiar with
the matters recommended IL and I have
no doubt that with your own familiarity
with the subject you will be able to dis
pose OF it
The letter OF General Edwards dated
April ]. and addressed to Secretary Dick
inson. after describing the measures and
its purposes in much the same language
as the presidents says:
II viii he understood that the result
OF the free admission OF American goods
intp the Philippine islands must revolu-
rionIze business in the Philippines and
unless the adoption OF that policy Is &C
comDanfed BY revision Of the present
Philippine tariff II would be disastrous
to GENE important industries in the is
lands and also result in such serious loss
- go customs revenue as TO emharrass
the Philippine government.
Interests RecOnciled
1T has had publicity in the United
States and {: Is believed that contending
interests have been reconciled and as far
as schedules are concerned IL SHOULD
meet with no opposition. For instance.
the schedules relating to the introduce
tion 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
at a less tariff rate and thence into the
United States free as the growth and
product OF the Philippine islands
The proposed revision has the approx
al OF the governor general and govern