Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1909 — REVISION FOR PHILIPPINES [ARTICLE]

REVISION FOR PHILIPPINES

Congress Urged to Act by Message of President. MATTER MOST IMPORTANT Purpose of the Bill Accompanying Message Is to Meet the New Conditions Which Arise Under the Free Trade Section of the Pending United States Tariff Bill Measure Drawn Up by a Board of Tariff Experts, Thoroughly Informed. Washington, April 16. President Taft sent the following message to congress: “I transmit herewith a communication from the secretary of war, enclosing one from the chief of the bureau of insular affairs, in which is transmitted a proposed tariff revision law for the Philippine Islands. Purpose of the Revision. "This measure revises the present Philippine tariff, simplifies It and makes It conform as nearly as possible to the regulations of the customs laws of the United States, especially with respect to packing and packages. The present Philippine regulations have been cumbersome and difficult for American merchants and exporters to comply with. Its purpose is to meet the new conditions that will arise under the section of the pending United States tariff bill which provides, with certain limitations, for free trade between the United States and the islands. It is drawn with a view to preserving to the Islands as much customs revenue as possible, and to protect in a reasonable measure those industries which now exist in the islands. „ Bill Drawn by Experts. "The bill now transmitted has been drawn by a board of tariff experts, of which the Insular collector of customs, Colonel George R. Colton, was the president The board held a great many open meetings in Manila, and conferred fully with representatives of all busineas interests la the Philippine Islands. “It is of great importance to the welfare of the islands that the bill should be passed at the same time with the pending Payne bill, with special reference to the provisions of which it was prepared. “f reepecifully recommend that this bill be enacted at the present session of congress as one incidental to and required by the passage of the Payne bill. J "WILLIAM H. TAFT.” Wight Increase In Duties. Generally speaking, the bill submitted by the president makes a slight Increase is the rates es duty now provided in the Philippine tariff, but its framers say its tendency is to insure, as tor as practicable, the benefit of the Philippine market for American manufacturers and pmftneta. The bill makes seme additions to the free list There will be m tacrease to internal revenue duties. Mr which it is hoped te make up the less whleh the Philippine teleads will svstala by the eperaDors et the free trade provisions in the pending Pgyno tariff bill. The internal revenge laws tor the Philippine# are aaacted by the Phlllpp4ae assembly