New-York tribune., 1909-07-17

dent and the cenferrees The President made
clear TO The conferrees what he considered es-
sential 10 a proper fulflment OF the party
pledges. They expressed willingness to CONFORM
70 his views. but told him that il had been Win
the utmost difficulty that they had held in line
sufficient Republican majority 20 pass the tari1
bill. especially IN the upper house. If they now
changed the bill in conference to meet his views
they feared they would encounter difficulty in
obtaining a sufficient majority TO adopt the con-
ference report. They suggested that the Presi-
dent take hand and endeavor to bring INTO
line those Republicans who they believed would
seek TO prevent the adoption Of the conference
report If the commodities in which they were
interested were put the free list The Presi-
dent was pleased 10 undertake the task, ana
to-day's meeting and the statement which fol-
lowed were the outcome.
The President is making no threats Of a veto.
= He is convinced that the situation which would
compel such a course will not arise He real
izes the narrow majority there will be in the
House for the conference report and is con-
WINGED that we're he publicly 10 express the con-
viction that the bill as reported from the con-
ference ought 10 fail it would never reach the
White House. That the conferrees also appre-
ciate this situation is evident, and. generaIlE
speaking they welcome the course which the
President has adopted. They realize that II will
-. Republicans who have been so insistent on high
duties for the products Of their own states and
districts will not dare incur the condemnation
which would be certain 10 follow we're they TO
compass the defeat Of the tariff bill on such
grounds.
VETO NOT FEARED.
The President will not veto the tariff bill,
The bill viii be made TO conform 10 the Presl-
dents views-at least sufficiently so TO avoid
Executive disapproval" This statement was
made in The Tribune Of May 12, and the same
dispatch went on TO say: 1t is the purpose OF
the Senate leaders. as soon they get the bill
into conference. 10 ascertain just what conces-
siors viii be required 10 avert a veto and 10
make them in conference That prediction has
been entirely verified The leaders have ascer-
tained what concessions they must make 10 in
sure Executive approval and are prepared 70
make them They are. however, confrontei
with the determined opposition Of certain Rep
resentatives and Senators. who have been de-
caring that if the interests Of their constituents
are not taken care Of they viii obtain the retec-
ton of the conference report With this situa-
ton explained to him, the President has taken
steps 70 maxi. clear to the public his views and
50 70 enlist popular support, and ne has no mis-
eivines whatever regarding the outcome
Neither do the Senate leaders fear the results.
They appreciate that there may be a few de-
te-rnined members Of the upper house who will
work and vote against the conference report,
but they believe there VIII not be a sufficient
number To obtain its rejection. Moreover, they
believe that for every Senator who abandons
the organization an insurgent viii be gained.
In so FAR as the House is concerned. the PrTesi-
dent and the leaders appreciate to the full that
the tariff bill encounters no real danger there
from decreased duties. Take the single item Of
free hides It was adopted by a majority Of 1I2
votes. Certainly free hides in the conference
report viii not cause any violent protest from
tie House. There Is one item to which there is
House opposition in the conference committee
and that Is free petroleum. But even that will
not incur the dis1leasure of the House. The
Speaker Is violently opposed 10 free petroleum.
and spoke and voted against il on the floor Of
the House but that did not prevent its adoption
by majority Of 2S1. That the Presidents
stand for free oil free hides, free coal and free
iron ere and for the House rate of 81 thou
sand on lumber viii prove successful is the ex-
pectation OF the best Informed members OF both
houses OF Congress
THE CORPORATION TAX.
TIE President is amazed at the number of
-.houv erroneous reports which are finding their
way into the public prints regarding the cor
poration tax He Is authority for the statement
that there IS absolutely friction in the con-
ference committee regarding this provision, and
that there never has been. The President has
been convinced that the corporation tax would
lie adopted ever since his advocacy Of it was
first definitely announced in these dispatches to
Tie Tribune Of May - on June -, however.
he held a conference at the White House at
which Secretary Knox the Attorney General.
Senator Root. Speaker Cannon Representatives
Payne aud Dwight and the Republican members
Of the Finance Committee we're present. The
corporation tax was considered. and. was
told in The Tribune Of the following morning,
all present gave il their cordial and unanimous
approval Since then there has never been
any question Of its adoption. not by the Senate
aioEe but ay both houses Of Congress, and ali
reports Of uncertainty, Of the possibility of the
substitution Of the income tax. Of the rejection
Of al forms of special taxation and of friction
over the corporation tax in the conference com
1nittee have been wholly unwarranted- The
facts regarding this tax and the attitude Of Mr..
Taft and the Icaaers of both houses Of Con
eress have been so-clearly set forth that tie
President is al d loss 10 understand how these
llrfoun6ed rumors can have gained circulation.
or, having gained circulation, how they
have found their way into reasonably conserva-
tive and accurate news channels.
Since the White House conference on June
- the Senate has adopted the corporation tax
after making certain amendments which were
accepted by the Senator in charge of the bill
merely 10 facilitate its passage. Those amend
-nents have made necessary some redrafting of
the measure. bat the principle has never been
changed. nor VIII Il be. Some Senators have
i1lportuncd the President 10 permit certain ex-
enpJjous. notably mutual life insurance COM
E.anles. These men have received the comfort
iDs assurance that their demands viii receive