The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-15
PHILIPPINE CIGAR
IMPORTS REDUCED
Only 10000. 900, Instead of
100000, Can Be Ad-
mitted Free.

The views of organized labor were ac-
cepted by the Finance Committee today
IN preference 10 those of President
Taft. according TO a statement made by
Senator Depew in explanation of the
committees action in reducing from
15o,oo000o to 100000 the amount of
cigars which may be imported from the
Philippine Islands free of duty.
This brought from Senator Burkett
of Nebraska the declaration that the
action of the committee would justify
senators in voting a lack of confidence
IN the Finance Committee, because by
agreeing to the reduction it plainly indi-
Gated either lack of knowledge or a
Willingness to play petty politics in
framing a tariff bill"
Just before adjournment last night
Senator La Toilette of wisconsin Of
fered an amendment cutting in half the
number of cigars which the bill intend
ed to admit duty free Immediately
after the Senate met this morning SEN
ator Bulkeley of Connecticut suggested
further reduction Of 5,O0O,O0 and Sen
ator Aldrich promptly expressed a will
ingness 10 have the amount fixed at TO-
oOe,ooo.
Depew Defends Committee.
Senator Depew defended the commit
tee against the charges of petty poll
tics and lack of knowledge Of the num-
Der Of cigars which should be brought
IN duty free. He said that President
Taft favored putting 100000 of them
on the free list, ana that the Finance
Committee based its recommendation
on the Presidents suggestion.
Mr. Depew said, however. that he
olsagreed with the President after he
had been in conference with the Tresi-
dent of the International Cigaruskers'
Union. and had Senator IA Toilette
failed to offer his amendment he would
have offered one fixing the number at
a5,ooe,0o an amount, he said, which
would satisfy the cigar makers. Sena-
tor Aldrich's action In making the
number 10000. 900 instead of 1906 600 as
proposed by Senator La Toilette. was
not taken with view Of belittling the
Wisconsin Senator, Senator DepeW said,
but rather because he accepted the
judgment Of Senator Buckley
Senate a Suicide Club.
Senator Depew then took the floor
again and commended the Committee on
Finance in strong terms. He asked how
st was to be judged that the committee
was discredited
We are told said he that the peo-
pie Of the United States are hostile TO
this bill. We have been told that every
Senator who votes for this bill is march
ing headlong into destruction. If that
be So this Senate is the most extraor-
binary suicide club in the world"
Senator AioTich took the floor for a
brief defense of the committee. There
are members" he said. whose con-
demnation is the highest commentator.
whose attacks are the highest kind of
recommendation before the people"
He served notice on Senator Burkett
that the committee in the future as in
the past would not be swayed by at
tacks and would decide according TO
what Il deemed the public interest He
commended the Senators who supported
the committee
Senator Root OF New York made
strong plea Tor justice 10 the Filipino
am sure, said he, that no mem
Ser OF this body really desires to bring
about separat ton between the Phillip
pines and the United States by making
our government of those islands q faiI-
ure and cause of disaster. The die is |
cast Mr. President. upon which We |
have the responsibility for the Philip /
pine Islands No acton Of ours can re- /
verse II The good faith. the good name.
the honor Of the American people are /
all pledged TO lead II people Of the is /
lands through the paths of growing /
prosperity and growing capacity for 4
elf-Sovernment 10 the point where they
are capable of governing themselves.