New-York tribune., 1909-06-15
s PHILIPPINE CONTEST
SUGAR AND TOBACCO SEN
ATE TOPICS.
"Tnsrgents" Oppose Reduction of
Duties on Imports from Islands
--BristO5o Amendment Lost.
Iron The Tribune Bureau ]

Republican Senators who have been lighting with
might and main for downward revision Of the
tariff executed an abrupt about face and attacked
the leaders because they recommended 3 reduc
ton Of tbs duties imports from the Philippines
Senator Bristow assumed the leadership Of the
sfnsurgentsf in the effort to modify the section
oealas with imports from the Philippines sena-
tcs A!drich. Lodge. Smco1 and Curtis defended the
Philippine section in a running debate lasting ali
the afternoon. Mr.. Aldrich had several sharp
ccloauies with Senator Clapp, who doubted the
statement Of Rhode Island Senator that Presi-
dent Taft heartily in favor Of the Philippine
section as recommended by the Finance Commit
tee After several amendments offered by Mr.
Bristow had been voted down a recess until even
ing was taken when Mr.. Stone offered his amend
1nent declaring Il 10 be the purpose Of the
United States retain sovereignty over the Philip
pines but turn the islands over to their people
within q period not exceeding fifteen years MT
Stone spoke Al length favor Of his amendment
and was followed by Mr. Newlands along the same
lines The amendment was defeated - to i. NO
Republicans voted for It. ana Senator Chamber
lain, Of Oregon. Democrat. voted against It
The amendment paragraph relating 70 the Philip
pines provides all articles except rice wholly
the growth product Of or manufactured in the
Philippine Islands from materials wholly the
growth product OF the Philippine Islands on
which no drawback of customs duty has been al
lowed shall he admitted 10 this country free The
ernount OF free sugar is limited 10 10000 gross
tons year. Wrapper tobacco and filler tobacco
phen mixed or packed with more than Is per cent
of wrapper tobacco is limited 70 9oeH pounos
Filler tobacco is limited TO 1.5noeo pounds and
cigars limited $50 oo0,noo. These limitations
apply 10 annual importations- At the sueeesuoh
Of Senators Buckley and Brandegee the Finance
Committee accepted an amendment to allow the
xportation of Connecticut wrappers to the Islands
ard their return to this country on cigars hlled
with Philippine tobacco without paying duty. WITHIN
the limitations prescribed Mr.. Bulkeley wanted the
entire section referred 10 the Committee on the
Philippines but this vas opposed by Mr.. Lodge, /
chairman OF that committee.
Mr.. Bristor took the position that the Philippine
section would benefit nobody except the Sugar
Trust He said the effect of the section was to /
give the American Sugar Refining Company a /
splendid source Of raw material at reduced price
Mr.. Aldrich laughed this idea, saving that Il /
the first time had heard anybody seriously !
contend that the Sugar Trust would be the bene- 4
fciary Of legislation for the free admission OF /
sugar from the Philippines. He said the American (
Sugar Refining Company had always opposed free /
trade with the Philippines and had contended that 4
three hundred Thousand tons too high a limit.
Mr Bristow then attacked the provision Of the /
Bill which requires refined and unrefned sugar i'm /
ported into the Philippines from foreign countries
pay duty not less than the duty imposed on /
sugar imported into United States. He said .
that this proviso in the interest Of the Sugar
Trust and would enable that concern 70 dictate /
the price paid by consumers in the Philippines for
their refined sugar
Mr.. LODGE OK PHILIPPINE POLICY.
Mr. Lodge made short and pointed speech ex- (
planning the tariff policy OF this country toward ]
the Philippines He said he not entirely salts
fed with the provision limiting inportations of I
sugar and tobacco from the islands Many persons /
in This country thought there should be absolute /
free trade with the Philippines while others felt
that the American sugar and tobacco interests re-
ouired the imposition OF the regular tariff /
imports from the islands. The section offered by
the committee was a compromise between these
conhic1ng views. The Massachusetts Senator said
he had doubt that the provision reported by the
Finance Committee would be OF benefit 10 the Fill
pno- He explained that TO conserve the in
terests OF the people Of this country and the Fill
pinos themselves It necessary to impose on
sugar shipped into the Philippines the same duty
imposed on sugar shipped To this country. The
would go into the treasury OF the Philip
pines. Moreover. this provision was necessary to
prevent sugars from Japan and other foreign coun-
tries from being shipped into the Philippines and
from there the United States.
Interrupting Mr.. Lodge. Senator Buckley said no
compromise had been made this provision with
the tobacco growers Of Connecticut
we have reached no compromise with the Sen
s1or from Connecticut. retorted Mr. Lodge
You will 70. responded the Connecticut
Senator
I'VE vii see about that when the vote Is taken"
said Mr.. Lodge.
rnent provided practically for bounty to the sugar
raiser Of the Philippines
Il venture the prediction he said, that the
processes Of refining in the Philippine Islands
the United States in refined condition. They will
longer make their sugar by the old open kettle
process They will have modern machinery and
make the best class Of sugar" That. he said was
the experience in Java and Cuba. which no longer
the old processes
NJ Clapp agreed with Mr.. Bristow that .be Sugar |
Trust would be the beneficiary Of the provisions
Of the Senate bill Ee said so 0go in reve
hsd been lost account Of sugar reciproctv !
with Cuba, ard no benefit had been conferred on |
tne Cuban producers The free importation Of three
hundred thousand tons OF sugar from the Philip
pnee would 2 loss Of slocoooo wear N |
this country in revenue, with no benefit 10 the
Philippines or 10 TIE consumers of this country /
When, he said. the time comes TO vote for free |
hides il Will not be argued that II is 10 benefit /
the cattle rsisers OF the Argentine Republic or any
ere else except the American purchaser The Two /
cases, he said. similar
II is well understood and open secret that
this proeition is here at the request Of the Presi
eent Of the United States said Mr.. Aldrich and
that he desires II for people he believes TO be
wards of the United States
Il am glad TO hear that interposed MI Clamp in
9 tore OF doubt.
q think the Senator from Minnesota knew that
eefore said it" retorted TIE Rhode Island SEN
stor.
II the Presidents wishes were SO carefully re- /
gArded. Mr. Clapp said. the Committee on Finance
should have considered his words favorfng lower |
tariff SUties- So far he knew the Senate had !
had direct communication from the President
The President of the United States" said Mr.
Aldrich. has repeatedly called the attention Of
Congress 70 the necessity for legislation Of this
precise character"
This precise charsc,er?' asked the Minnesota
Senator. doubtfully.
For absolute free trade" said Mr. Aldrich.
Y-~-~----