The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-15
President Taft Sends COmmu
nicatiOn to Congress
On Tariff Revision as Related
to the Philippines.
A SEPARATE MEASURE
Is Required to Be Enacted With
the Payne Bill
He Says, to Meet New Conditions
That Will Arise.

That VIII ARISE.
Washington, April 15.-The president
today sent to congress special mes
sage in relation to the Philippine tariff.
The message transmits recommended
tions by the secretary of war for re-
vision of the Philippine tariff SO as 10
permit as much customs revenue as
possible for the islands and at the same
to extend to the islands the principle or
a protective tariff for it's industries.
The message and accompanying let.
ters with a copy of the proposed act
were submitted to both houses of con-
gress shortly after they convened.
Generally speaking, the bill submit
ted makes a slight increase in the rates
of duty now provided in the Philippine
tariff. but its trainers say its tendency
is to insure as far as practicable the
benefit of the Philippine market for
American manufacturers and products.
The bill makes some additions to the
free list There will be an increase in
internal revenue duties by which it is
hoped to make up the loss which the
Philippine islands will sustain by the
operations of the free trade provisions
in the pending Payne tariff bill.
The internal revenue laws for the
Philippines are enacted by the Philip
pine assembly.
ITO the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
81 transmit herewith a communica-
ton from the secretary of war, en-
closing one from the chief of the bu-
reau of inSular affairs in which is
transmitted the proposed tariff re-
vision law for the Philippine Islands.
This measure revises the present
Philippine tariff, simplifies it and
makes 1t conform as nearly as possl-
BILE to the regulations of the customs
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 exporters
to comply with.
ditions that will arise under the sec
ton of the pending United States
tariff bin. which provides, with certain
limitations for free trade between the
United States and the islands. 1t is
drawn with a view to preserving to
the islands as much customs revenue
as possible and to protect in a reason
able measure those industries which
now exist in the islands.
THE bill now transmitted has been
drawn by a board of tariff experts of
which the insular collector of customs.
Colonel George r. Cotton. was the
president. The board had a great
many open meetings in Manila and
conferred with representatives of all
business interests in the island. 1t is
of importance to the islands that the
bill should be passed at the same time
with the pending Payne bill with spe-
cfal reference to the provisions of
which it was prepared.
ct respectfully recommend that this
bill be enacted at the present session
of congress as one Incidental to and
required by the passage of the Payne
bill.
(Signed) WILLIAM H TAFT.
THE White House. April IA, 1907
What Dickinson Says.
Secretary of War Dickinson in for
warding the papers to the president,
says:
II have not had time to examine
the bill in detail and have not suf-
ficient acquaintance with the subject
to say whether or not II is what it
should be; but General Edwards, who
is familiar with the matter, recon-
mends it and | have no doubt that
your own familiarity with the sub
ject will be able to dispose of it,"
The letter of General Edwards
dated April IL, and addressed to
Secretary Dickinson, after discussing
the measure and its purposes in
presidents says:
"It will be understood that the re-
suit of the free admission of American
goods into the Philippine islands must
revolutionize business in the Philip
pines and unless the adoption of that
policy is accompanied by a revision of
the present tariff it will be disastrous
to some important industries in the
islands and also result in such serious
loss to the customs revenue as to en-
barrass the Philippine government.
''It has publicity in the United
States and it is believed that contend
ing interests have been reconciled
and as far as schedules are concerned
it should meet with no opposition
For instance, the schedules relating to
the Introduction of tobacco, Sumatra
leaf and sugar are made identicaI
with the pending Payne bill and
therefore have removed the appre-
hension that these goods can be i'm
ported into the Philippine islands al
a less tariff rate and thence into the
United States free as the growth and
production of the Philippine islands.
1.-THE proposed revision has the ap-
proval of the governor general an6
government he represents in the
Philippine islands,