The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1909-04-30
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
Washington, D. c., April a4th
Mr.. Editor -


The attacks on the tariff bill this
week BY Senator Nelson, of Minresota
and Senator Dolliver, of Iowa, two
staunch Republicans, removed any
ling ering doubt there may have been
in the minds of some as to the exs-
tence of revolt in the Republican
ranks. These Senators dealt vigorous
blows in their criticisms of the pending
bill, declaring that it did not meet the
pledges of the Republican party and
would afford little relief to the great
mass of consumers. They declared that
Congress was called together to re-
move some of the burdens of taxation,
not to re-enact the Diugley law nor to
| increase some of the schedules of that
act. While the Republican leaders had
expected something of this sort, the
storm broke sooner than was anticipat-
| ed and with greater velocity. In the
| course of the debate Senator Aldrich
showed greater feeling than he is in the
habit of exhibiting and he declared that
the Republican party has made no
| promise to revise the tariff downward,
Mr.. Taft's campaign speeches to the
| contrary Notwithstanding. 1t is under
stood that Senators Nelson and Dolliver
| have voiced the sentiment of the Middle
| West in their attacks on the bill, which
section of the country is not disposed
to accept the increase in duties con-
| tanned in the Aldrich bill, without seri-
Gus protest.
The Bureau of Insula1 Affairs of the
War Department, by direction of the
Secretary of War and with the authozi-
ty Of the Philippine government, has
invited bids for 81 ,O00, 900, of the sewer
| and waterworks construction bonds of
the city of Manila, authorized by act
Of Congress. So, 200, 600 of the authoriz-
| ed "a, 0U0, 900 of bonds for the construc-
ton of an adequate system of water
| works and sewerage have been sold,
and the bids for the new issue will be
| opened at the War Department on May
10, at two o'clock. These bonds are
| exempt from taxation and bear interest
at four per cent.
The hope is expressed on every side
that the House of representatives will
attach to the Census appropriation bill
now in course of preparation, pro-
vision allowing the President of the
United States $25, 900 for travelling ex-
| penses. Mr.. Taft desires to travel
about the country and put himself in
touch with the people of all sections. 1t
is to the public interest that he should
do so. He is being urged to make visit
this summer to the Pacific coast, but
the extent of his Western travels will
depend upon the passage of this pro-
vision allowing travelling expenses.
President Taft has received a gift
from the Philippines in the form of a
large suit case which was used by John
8. Hord, collector of internal revenue,
bringing to Washington commercial
and industrial statistics for use in con
sidering Philippine tariff legislation.
The frame is of mahogany and the front
is made Of small inlaid blocks of native
| wood, about one hundred and twenty
| different specimens, highly polished
and bearing the initials CIV. H. T." in
native gold, and "P. l." in native mother
| of pearl. The book and sides are COM
posed of caribou hides, and the handle
is piece of Manila hamp, with the in
scription "Taft-Payne Philippine Tariff
in gold letters. The gold was mined in
Benguet and the pearls were found il
Jolo. The presentation was made at
tbs White House This week by General
Edwards, chief of the Insular Bureau
The Liberian Commission. which is
to study conditions in the negro repub-
lie of Africa and report to President
Taft had final conference with the
President this week. The commission
is largely the work of Booker Washing
| ton, whose recommendation for mem
bership have been accepted by the
President. 1t will spend some time
looking into the international re-
lations surrounding the black-republic
besides reporting upon the social, pol
| itical and industrial conditions in the
country. The international relations
will be very important part of their
report and will serve as guide to the
| administration ia any action it NAV
take toward throwing protecting influ-
ences around the nation, should such be
| determined upon at any time. The
| President has told commission he feels
deep interest in the work that is to be
done and hopes that much good will
result from the trip and has impressed
| upon the members that he wishes to
know the true conditions of affairs in
the republic withou the least coloring
China has good friend in President
Taft who has several times yisite 1
there and looks upon the trade possibili-
ties OF that country as the best in the
world. 1t is his belief that America
has better opportunities there than any
other natl n, because the Chinese have
confidence in this country and her peo-
pie. President Taft is of the opinion
that our representative at Pekin should
be an ambassador, and this NAV be
arranged later in his administration.
How can any person risk taking some
unknown cough remedy when Foley's