The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-06-16
FIGHT OVER SUGAR
President Taft'S Philippine
Clause Defeated.
IT WOULD EXEMPT 100000 TONS
Many Democrats Vote With Re-
publicans Against the Amend
ment, and It Musters Only
Eleven Supporters.

Washington, June 15.-Sugar was
the stirring subject in the tariff debate
before the senate, being brought to the
front in connection with the condition
of the finance committees substitute
for the house provision of the tariff
bill regulating the admission of Philip
pine articles into the United States.
Immediate attention was then direct
ed to the clause providing duty on
sugar admitted into the Philippines
equal to that on sugar brought into
the United States and eXempting
100000 tons Of Philippine sugar from
duty when brought into the United
States.
Senator Bristow criticised both pro-
visions. and his criticism opened the
way for general debate, which was
participated in on the one side by
Mcssrs. Bristow and Clapp and on the
other by Senators Aldrich and Lodge.
1t was contended on the one hand
that the two provisions combined were
intended to promote the interests of the
American sugar trust and not to bene-
fit the Philippine producers. while it
was argued by the supporters of the
provision that to admit sugar into the
islands free of duty would be to open
the way for it's free admission into
this country. 1t was also argued that
the sugar producers of the Philippines
would be directly benefited by the
admission of their sugar into the
United States without requiring the
payment of Il duty on it,
1t was stated in open senate that
the Philippine paragraph had the in
dorsement of President Taft in his
own handwriting, and Senator Aldrich
stated that it had been indorsed by
the president
Mr.. Aldrich insisted that the Philip
pine amendment provided practically
for II bounty to the sugar raiser of the
Philippines.
II venture the prediction" he said.
"that the processes of refining sugar
in the Philippines will be changed and
that this sugar will come to the United
States in refined condition. They
will no longer make their sugar by the
old open kettle process. They will have
modern machinery and make the best
lass of sugar"
senator Clapp took the view that the
admission of free sugar would benefit
the American Sugar Refining compa-
ny. When, he said, the time comes to
vote for free hides it will not be ar
guod that it is to benefit the cattle
raisers of the Argentine republic or
any one else except the American pur-
chaser The two cases. he said, were
similar.
at is we'll understood and an open
secret that this proposition is here at
the request of the president of the
United States" said Mr.. Aldrich. "and
that he desires it for people he be-
States"
81 am glad to hear that" interposed
Mr.. Clapp in Il tone of doubt.
81 think the senator from Minnesota
knew that before l said it," retorted
the Rhode Island senator.
If the presidents wishes were so
carefully regarded, Mr. Clapp said,
the committee on finance should have
considered his words favOring lower
tariff duties. So far as he knew the
senate had no direct communication
from the president.
"While / do not pretend to be his
official representative on this fioor,'
said Mr.. Aldrich, 81 do not transcend
my idea of my obligation to the presi-
dent when l say that l know that not
only is the president in favor of legis-
lation of this kind. but that he is in
favor of this identical legislation"
Resuming his remarks, Mr.. Clapp
said the president had "means by
which he can communicate with the
senate"
~ do not believe" he added, "that
the president indorses any such fallacy
as that. OF all the claptrap work ever
reported for legislation this does seem
to me to take the PALM" he added with
warmth.
"rhis is simply another instance of
the bunko game that is being played
upon the Filipino people In the course
of our benevolent policy Of assimila-
tion," declared Senator Stone after de.
claring that the committee amendment
would at once deprive the Filipino OF
the right to purchase refined sugar in
the worlds market without the pay
ment of duty.
M. Bristow's amendment, which
eliminated sugar from the requirement