The Detroit times., 1909-07-16
WILL HIT SMALL
CORPORATIONS
With Clapp Amendment Removed
From Tariff Bill, Books of Big
Companies Will Be Exempt.
BY gibson GARDNER.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., July 16.-Up
TO date President Taft mas set his APP
prevail on these features of the tariff
legislation which Is being discussed in
conference committee Of the senate
and the house:
The maximum and minimum provi-
sion as perfected by the Aldrich bill.
The administrative features of the
&C. as perfected by the Aldrich bill.
The corporation tax as perfected by
the Aldrich bill.
The wool schedule as perfected by
the Aldrich bill.
Three-quarters of the rates as at
present determined by the Ddngley
law.
Ten per cent OF the rates as re-
vised downward By the house bill.
In addition TO the above, tine presi-
dent In discussing the rates involved
In Is per cent of the measure. While
the number of am endments to the
house bill Is between 500 and 900,
the actual volume CT tariffs which are
the subject of controversy is small
Any changes made In conference vii!
be confined to the 10 per cent OF the
duties which are incaeases over the
Dingley law
President TaftIsays he does not pro-
pose TO take the public; into his conf.
dence while discussing rates with
members OF the conference commit
tee.
To rs or 30 newspaper correspond
ents summoned 10 the white house by
President Taft this m after was made
clear.
People Never WIN Know.
Il don't think 1t wpuld be proper"
said President Taft, Ito talk To the
conferees through the newspapers
while l am talking Ito them person
ally
The public, Their elore, never WILL
know, except posi- bly, by gossip and
remote hearsay, W hat position Presi.
dent Taft has taker or any of the
schedules. Which. probably will be
Just as well for Pies ident Taft.
President Taft INFORMED the news
paper representa- I've S that he had de-
c.ded to oppoJe Senator Clapp's
amendment to thu corporation tax law.
Senator Aldrich wais bitterly opposed
to the Clapp amend ment. He accept
ed II only under: pre- ssure and after all
made speeches AGREEING with Senator
rlapp that such all amendment was
the only way in VIII ich to avoid legal.
fzing holding companies and granting
special favor to the biggest trust cor
porations In the country. The presi.
tert's opposition to the Clapp amend
ment means that th g conferees will re-
port that feature OF the bill as drawn
by Aidricfl
President Taft approves Aldrich's
maxinuri and minimum provision
This vefts "A large measure OF discre
ton In the chief ea ectftive He is C
decide when any nation "unduly dis
crimi mates against the United State.
and can then impose the maximum
do dies against that alton. This would
\ add rs per cent to tle Aldrich sched
ules. OF course. this would mean tina
all goods from such nation wOult
be kept out of the United States; tnC
.+competing producers in the United
States would have a complete monop
oily Of such lines, and nobody would
suffer except the cons inner
Publicity Question Defined.
President Taft has told the news
paper representatives likewise that ~
has no objection II Ab1rich desires tC
cCt down the tax on corporations from
9 per cent To I pea cent. This vii
= probably be done. AiRrich says Their,
VIII be plenty OF revenue without this
(. TAX. anyway and the president say.
4 that he Is net so mpcn worried about
4 revenue as he Is about imposing thC