An Act Providing for the Licensing of Vessels Engaging in the Coastwise Trade and Vessels Engaging Exclusively in the Lighterage and Harbor Business in the Philippine Islands, and Fixing the License Fees therefor

September 5, 1905

ACT NO. 1387

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE LICENSING OF VESSELS ENGAGING IN THE COASTWISE TRADE AND VESSELS ENGAGING EXCLUSIVELY IN THE LIGHTERAGE AND HARBOR BUSINESS IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, AND FIXING THE LICENSE FEES THEREFOR

SECTION 1. All vessels of the class designated in section one hundred and seventeen of Act Numbered Three hundred and fifty-five, as amended by Act Numbered Twelve hundred and thirty-five, of the Philippine Commission, shall, prior to engaging in the coastwise trade, and annually thereafter, take out a license therefor. This license shall be issued by collectors of customs at ports of entry, and the following fees shall be charged therefor:

(a) For vessels propelled by steam or other mechanical motive power, one peso and fifty centavos, Philippine currency, per registered net ton;

(b) For sailing vessels and vessels not propelled by steam of mechanical motive power, one peso, Philippine currency, per registered net ton;

SECTION 2. All vessels of the class designated in section one of Act Numbered Eleven hundred and thirty-six of the Philippine Commission shall, prior to engaging in the lighterage or other exclusively harbor business, and annually thereafter, take out a license therefor. This license shall be issued by collectors of customs at ports of entry, and for each license issued a fee of one peso, Philippine currency, per registered net ton, shall be charged.

Licenses issued under authority of this section shall specify the particular port or body of water for which issued, and no vessel shall transport cargo or passengers for hire beyond the limits specified in its license.

SECTION 3. Any license issued under authority of this Act may be revoked, for cause, at any time by the Collector of Customs for the Philippine Islands.

SECTION 4. This Act shall be retroactive in its effect so as to include all licenses which have become due on and after July first, nineteen hundred and five, and in all cases where license fees have been paid under existing laws since that date a refund shall be paid to the licensee in an amount equal to the difference between the license fee under existing law and that under this Act, and appropriation is hereby made, out of any funds in the Insular Treasury not otherwise appropriated, in such amount as may be necessary to make the refunds hereby authorized. In all cases where license fees have become due since said date, but have not been paid, licenses shall be issued under this Act. CAIHTE

SECTION 5. All laws, or parts of laws, in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

SECTION 6. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage of the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of "An Act prescribing the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws," passed September twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on its passage.

ENACTED, September 5, 1905.