Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Continued from Page One.)

facturers and products. The bill makes
some additions to the free list. There
will be an increase in internal reve-
nues duties by which it is hoped tC
make up the loss which the Philippine
Islands will sustain by operations OF
free trade provisions in the pending
Payne tariff bill.
The internal revenue laws for the
Philippines are enacted by the Philip
pine Assembly. The Presidents mes
sage follows:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
Sentatives:
II transmit herewith a communica-
ton from the secretary of war enclos-
ing one from the chief of the bureau
of insular affairs, in which is trans
mitted a proposed tariff revision law
for the Philippine Islands.
This measure revises the present
Philippine tariff, simplifies it and makes
it conform as nearly as possible to the
regulations Of the custom laws of the
United States especially with respect
to packing and packages. The present
Philippine regulations have been cum
bersome and difficult for American
merchants and exporters to comply
with. Its 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. 1t is
drawn with view to preserving to the
islands as much customs revenue as
possible and to protect in a reasonable
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
Col. George r. Cotton, was president
The board held great many open
meetings in Manila and conferred fully
with Representatives of all business in
terests in the Philippine Islands. 1t is
of great Importance for the welfare OF
the islands that the bill should be pass
ed at the same time with the pending
Payne bill with special reference to the
provisions of which it was prepared.
81 respectively commend that this
bill be enacted at the present session
of Congress as one incidental and re-
CURED by the passage of the Payne
bill
(signed) civilian H. TAFT"
The White House, April Ia.
Secretary of War Dickinson in for
warding the papers to the President.
says:
Il have not had time to examine the
bin III detail and have not sufficient &C
uuaintance with the subject to say
whether or not it is what it should be,
hut Gen. Edwards, who is familiar with
the matter recommends it and l have
no doubt that with your own familiar
itv with the subject you will be able to
dispose of it"
The letter of Gen. Edwards dated
April / and adds to Secretary Dickin-
son, after describing the measures and
it's purpose in much the same language
as the Presidents. says:
1T will be understood that the result
of the free admission of American
goods in the Philippine Islands must
revolutionize business in the Philip
pines and unless the adoption of that
policy is accompanied by revision OF
the present Philippine 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 e.nbarrass the Philippine govern
ment.
1T has had publicity in the United
States and it is believed that contend
ing interests have reconciled and as TAI
as schedules are concerned it should
meet with no opposition. For instance
the schedules relating to the introduce
ton of tobacco. Sumatra leaf and SUI
gar sre made identical with the pend
ing Payne bill and therefore have re-
moved the apprehension that these
goods can be imported into the Phil
ippinc Islands at less tariff rate ano
thence into the United States free as
the growth and product of the Philip
pine Islands. The proposed revision has
approval of the governor general ant
government he represents in the Phil
ippine islands.
ut is therefore respectfully suggest
cd that this bill be presented as soor
as practicable and the Importance OF
its passage at this session of Congress
for the reasons stated, be impressed
upon that body"
The Presidents message upon being
read in the Senate was referred to the
committee on Philippines.
OF MATERIAL VALUE.