Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-04-15
TOday's Telegraphic News
Presidents Message.


Washington, d. O., April l5.-Ds-
claring that it is OF great importance fol
the welfare ti the Philippines that
tariff bill for the islands be passed at the
same time az the pending Payne bill,
President Taft sent message To
Congress today transmitting the pre-
posed measure as prepared under diree
ton OF the bureau of insulsr affairs.
The president's message follows:
ITO the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentalives:
al transmit herewith communication
from the secretary of war enclosing one
from the chief of the bureau OF insulsr
affairs, 10 which is transmitted pro-
posed tariff revision law for the Philip
pine ISLANDS.
"This measure revises the present
Philippine tariff, simpli6es 1t and makes
it conform as nearly as possible to the
regulations of the customs laws of the
United States, especially With respect 10
packing aud packages. The present
Philippine regulations have been cum
bersome and difficult for American mer-
chants and exporters to comply with.
lie purpose is to meet the new conditions
that will 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. it Is drawn with view TO
preserving to the islands as much Gus
toms revenue as possible, aud to protect
in a reasonable measure these industri(s
which now exist in the Islands.
"The bill now transmitted has been
drawn by board OF tslifi experts, of
which the Iusnlar Collector Of Customs,
Colonel George K. Cotton, was the
president. The board held a great
many open meetings in Mauils, and con.
ferred fully with representatives of slI
business interests 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 provisions OF which 1t was pre-
pared.
81 respectfully recommend that this
bill be enacted st the present session OF
Congress as one Incidental to and re.
quired by the passage of the Payne bill.
"WE II. TAFT"
Ia his letter 10 the president, Secre-
tsry of War Dickinson admits his own
unfsmilisrity with toe subject, but trans
mits the recommendation from Gen. Ed
wards, chief OF the bureau Of insular af-
fairs.
Gen. Edwards says in his communica-
ton;
at will be understood that the result
Of the free admission OF American
goods into the Philippine islands must
revolutionize business 10 thePhilippines,
and unless the adoption OF that policy is
accompanied by q revision of the pres.
ent Philippine tariff, 1t will be disas-
trous to some Important industries there
and also result 10 such a serious loss to
the customs revenue as TO embsrEass the
Philippine government. He adds that
contendiDg interests have been recon-
ciled as far as possible, and believes
that the proposed MEASURE should meet
with no opposition. The schedules re-
lating to tobacco and sugar are made
identical with those in the Payne bill,
thus removing the apprehension that
these products might be imported into
the Philippines at less tariff rate and
thence into the United States free as the
growth and product Of the Philippines