Evening star., 1946-03-26
Philippine Sugar Cut
Partly Restored as
Bill Heads for Vote

OII lICouy IVI vVlC
The Philippine trade bill i
being put in final shape toda.
for House action before the ens
of the week. with a substantial
part of the tentative cut in tn,
islands sugar quota restored.
The Ways and Means COMMITTEES
late yesterday reconsidered its earlieI
action in cutting the sugar quots
from 850,000 long tons to minimum
of 100000 short tons year ant
agreed finally on $50 900 short tons.
This will result in loss to tn,
Philippines of 240 pounds per tor
from the 850,000- long ton quot,
which has been recognized in va.
rious sugar laws and in Philippin,
legislation since 1884. In the aggre.
gate 1t means a cut of $4,000 lonf
tons or 100000 short tons.
Economic Blow Protested.
1t is, however, considerably les!
of a blow to the Filipinos, who ar,
struggling to lift themselves out O.
the wars debris, than the commit.
tees earlier decision to place tn.
quota at minimum of TOO 900 shor
tons, with only a possibility that thi.
might later 60 up to the origna
figure.
That tentative action, taken las,
week, would have meant a cut OF
225,000 long tons, or 252,000 short
tons.
The committee spent two hours
today going over its report, but
made no further changes in the bill
as it stood last night.
Chairman Doughton said he woulC
20 before the Rules Committee
probably tomorrow, for authority tc
take the bill up in the House
Thursday. He will ask for an open
rule, which will enable House men,
bers to offer amendments All in
dications are, however, the bill will
so through as reported from COM
mittee. Thursday would be de-
voted to general debate, followed by
action on amendments and passage
Friday,
Economic Stab in Back.
Yesterdays revision Of the bill
came after Representative Dingell
Democrat, of Michigan had pro-
tested that the heavier cut was IAN
economic stab in the back" to the
Philippines, which suffered heavy
damage during the war and which
face the task OF embarking on the
era of independence July with
their industries still crippled by four
years of war
Representative Robertson, Demo-
crat, of Virginia also had expressed
opposition to the cut before yester-
days revision. A sharp division In
the committee resulted in close
vote on the partial restoration.
Those who believe the United
States should adhere to the $50, 600
long-ton quota while the Philippines
are struggling through the transi-
ton from an American possession
to independence are looking to the
Senate to restore that figure.
THE bill is the result of a con-
tested compromise" said Mr.. Dingell
today. Like other members, am
not satisfied, but it is the best solu-
ton that could be obtained"
Stands by Full Quota.
Mr.. Dingell, who headed the SUBJ
committee that considered the origi-
nal bill of Representative Bell, DEM
ocrat, of Missouri said he still be-
lieved the subcommittee was right
in standing by the full quota. and
said he hoped the Senate would
amend the bill accordingly.
In addition to sugar, the bill fixes
quotas on tobacco, coconut oil, cord
age and other Philippine products
Under its terms, the Philippines
would continue on free-trade basis
for eight years, after which tariff
duties would be applied gradually
over period of 20 years
Charging in a telegram to al
members of the Ways and Mean,
Committee that no opportunity wa.
given Philippine representatives tt
present their side of the case. Carlos
P. Romulo, Philippines resident
commissioner, has strongly protested
the damaging effect of cut in the
sugar quota on Philippine rehabili-
tation. Mr. Romulo's telegram. sent
after the committee had tentatively
decided on a reduction Thursday
said, in part:
Strongly protest reduction ir
Philippine sugar quota. Oh.
viously this is drastic change ir
policy which has governed Amer
ican-Philippine trade relations ano
1t is regretted that Philippine gov.
ernment was not given opportunity
to present its views before revision
was made.
Esta ablished in 1884.
philippine sugar quota of $50 ,00(
long tons was established in Philip.
pine Independence Act in 1884 ano
accepted by Filipino people in sub.
sequent plebiscite. All later acts oi
Congress bearing on sugar continued
this same quota. Moreover, all
United States-Philippine trade bills
submitted to Congress have pro.
vided for Philippine sugar quota OF
$4,000 long tons.
While Philippines will suffer tre-
mendous loss in foreign income
quota revision will not benefit do
mestic American sugar producers
because reduction of 100000 short
tons will 60 to foreign countries
principally Cuba, under terms OF
international sugar agreement
signed in London in 1887, to which
both United States and Philippine
Government are signatories. Article
10 Of that agreement provides that
in event Philippine sugar quota OF
850,000 long tons should be reduced
reduction will be allotted to foreign
countries including Cuba.
Will Halt Rebuilding.
Reduction of Philippine quota
will make it difficult for Philippines
to rehabilitate sugar industry and
readjust during 28-year period
Owners of destroyed or damaged
sugar factories will hesitate to re-
build factories.
Sugar industry has been back
bone Of Philippine economy. Phil
ippine government derives over 4G
mar rent nf Ire reyopua frox,, +ovo.