The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-06-28
BY gibson GARDNER.

WASHINGTON, June 2S.-Ths
above program sounds rathercom-
pick, but 1t is after all quite simple.
1t is one way to defeat the passage
of an income tax after Aldrich has
discovered that there are majority
OF three votes In the senate In FAVOR
OF such an amendment to the tarin
act. The three votes favored an
amendment drawn along the lines OF
Tafts recommendation in his letter
OF acceptance. when he said that q
constitutional amendment was, in his
judgment, unnecessary. and when he
urged that the question be result
mitted to the supreme court.
There are two great forces which
are arrayed against the constitutional
amendment for taxing incomes. They
are:
/. The opposition OF people who
| live on the proceeds of invested
wealth.
2. The opposition OF the favored
class OF manufacturers who profit by
the tariff system.
East Against Income Tax.
Geographically considered the east
is against an income tax, whether In
the form OF the present law or a fu-
ture constitutional possibility. There
are more people In the New England
Estates living on the interest OF m
vested wealth than in any other sec-
ton OF the country. There are enough
lpeople In states like New York.
Massachusetts and the other sur
rounding group whose incomes are 40
derived to dominate the legislatures
10 4 .aiy. eutO
latures unwilling TO ratify the pro-
posed amendment TO the constitution
Working along the same lines will
be the manufacturers who enjoy the
benefits OF protective tariff system.
The plan for raising revenue by
direct tax on incomes is regarded by
such manufacturers as menace to
the general protective scheme. The
more revenue that is raised by IL
rect taxation the less revenue will
be needed TO be raised through GUS
toms house taxation II S50,00O.000
year is permanently added TO the
income of the United States by n
tax on incomes, IL will be necessary
to raise that much less revenue each
year by duties on imports. The re-
suit will be an inevitable demand
for a revision downward OF the tariff.
Twelve Can Defeat II.
The joint opposition of the tariff
people and the people who live on
invested wealth is expected TO find
expression in the opposition OF
dozen states to the constitutional
amendment Two-thirds must ratify:
II would be sufficient to defeat
| The killing OF the corporation tax
will be a simple matter IL won't
be necessary TO fight this in the open.
Members OF the senate can vote and
talk In It's favor. They can be very
noisy in showing how much they want
such a law Republicans and Demo
Gratis can join in voting for the amend
ment 10 the tariff law The men who
have the final say will be that power
full trio, Aldrich. Hale. Penroe. IL
will be up to them as members of the
conference committee to support the
corporation tax as against the house
amendment for an inheritance tax.
lust how vigorously Aldrich and Hale
will fight To retain the corporation
tax in the bill may be left TO the
Imagination of the reader. When the
conference Is over they will emerge
and say that this wane one OF the
concessions In the interest OF har-
mony" which they were obliged 10
make. and they will doubtless point
with pride 10 the joint resolution in
favor Of the constitutional amend
ment which still remains part OF
the law AS an Indication OF their fidel-
ity 10 the principle OF an income tax.
II is very much like that pleasant
game with the three shells and the
one small pea. You think it's under
this shell. and II you want TO lay \
bet with Aldrich he is ready to take
your money.
And IL isn't fhpre