Evening star., 1934-05-28
MESSAGE PLEADS
FOR PHILIPPINE OIL
President Asks Congress to
Repeal or Modify
New Tax.
BY the Associated Press.

6y inc ASSOCIATED FreSS.
President Roosevelt today asked Con-
gress to reconsider the newly enacted
tax on coconut OIL on the ground 1t
was unfair to the Philippine Islands.
The President called attention that
the Philippine independence act ex-
empted 448, ,000, 900 pounds of coconut
oil from duties upon Importation from
the Philippine Islands.
He proposed an effort be made to
work out compromise for considera-
ton at the next session.
The text Of the Presidents message
follows:
Early in the present session of
Congress the Philippine independence
act was passed. This act provided
that, after the Inauguration by the
new interim or commonwealth form
of government Of the Philippine
Islands trade relations between the
United States and the Philippine
Islands shall be as now provided by
law.
Points 10 Exceptions.
Certain exceptions. however, were
made. One Of these exceptions re-
quired levying on all coconut oil COM
ing into the United States from the
Philippine Islands in any calendar
year in excess Of 448 1000 900 pounds.
the same rates Of duties now COL
lected by the United States on COCO
nut oil imported from foreign coun-
tries.
1T Is, Of course, wholly clear that
the intent Of the Congress by this
provision was to exempt from import
duty 448,000,000 pounds Of coconut
oil from the Philippines.
Later in the present session, the
Congress in the revenue act imposed a
3-cent-per-pound processing tax on
coconut oil from the Philippines.
This action was, of course, directly
contrary to the intent of the provision
in the independence act cited above.
During this same period, the people
Of the Philippine Islands through
their Legislature accepted the pro-
visions Of the independence act on
May /, 1884.
There are three reasons why re-
quest reconsideration by the Congress
Of the provision for q 3 cents per
pound processing tax.
Il. 1t Is the withdrawal of an offer
made by the Congress of the United
States to the people Of the Philip
pine Islands.
q. Enforcement of this provision
at this time will produce . serious
condition among many thousands of
families in the Philippine Islands.
"3. No effort has been made to
work out some form of compromise
which would be less unjust to the
Philippine people and at the same
time attain, even If more slowly, the
object Of helping the butter and
animal tat industry in the United
States.
i, therefore, request reconSidera-
ton OF that provision Of the revenue
act which relates to the coconut oil
in order that the subject may be
studied further between now and
next January. and IN order that the
spirit and intent Of the independence
act be more closely followed"
Prospects Called Slim.
Prospects for passage Of a repeal of
modifying bill were regarded at the
Capitol as slim. The votes for levy
ing the Philippine tax were over
whelming. coming particularly from
farm States members. Farmers for
years have attempted to meet the
coconut oil competition with cotton
seed and other vegetable oils in soap
making.
The message was referred to the
Senate Finance Committee and
Chairman Harrison said 1t would be
| given early consideration.