Evening star., 1928-12-09
TARIFF PROTECTION
MINE GROUP GOAL
Convention, Closing, Ex'
presses Wish for Burden
some Taxation" Relief.

Sufficient tariff protection to enable
Che greatest possible development of the
mineral industries of the country and
relief of mining industries from bur
densome taxation" was the legislative
goal set by the American Mining Con-
Cress at the Close of its thirty-flrst an
nual convention here yesterday.
The tariff resolution in which the
American Mining Congress reiterated
Ats policy of protection was presented
to the convention by Jesse F. McDon-
aid former Governor of Colorado. With
out adequate protection. the resolution
declared. the mineral industries cannot
successfully operate. Various proposals
for increased duties on imported min
erals are pending in Congress.
Government Operation Opposed.
Opposition to Government operation
IN various business enterprises also was
expressed on the ground that the Gov
ernment shall not enter any galnful
business or pursuit which places e IN
competition with private enterprise.
Other resolutions demanding remedial
legislation N various forms, together
with recommendations Tor increased
funds for the development of new min
ing resources under governmental guild
ance, were adopted at the final session.
covering the principal matters under
discussion during the four days OF the
convention.
Declaring that "one of the chief
complaints of the mining industry mas
been the harsh incidents of the national
taxation laws to the business OF min
ing" the organization commended con-
gresSional committees and Treasury oftl-
cials for efforts to reach an equitable
solution of the mine tax situation. De-
laws In affording equitable relief were
deplored and recommendation MADE
that prompt legislative action be taken
by amendment to the national tax law
to relieve the mining industry of pres
ent burdensome mining taxes.
Congress also was asked in another
resolution to amend the income tax
laws so as to exempt income from gold
mines due to declining gold production
caused by increased costs OF operation.
Committee Authorized.
BY action of the convention. the min
ing organization was authorized to Gre
ate a committee to Investigate and as
sen1ble data concerning geo-physical
prospecting methods with a view OF
recommending possible changes in Fed
eral mining laws to develop prospecting
by these methods. Endorsement also
a proposed Federal "high-grade" act in
the interest of protecting operators OF
gold and other mines. A bill to this ef-
feet soon Is to be introduced in Con-
gress.
In accord with the plea made by
Senator Tasker L. Oddie of Nevada
earlier in the day, resolution was
adopted demanding increased appropri-
atoms for Federal and State Bureaus
~ Tad
and other governmental agencies in the
discovery and development of new min
eral resources Senator Oddie had
stressed, in his speech before the con-
vention. that millions are being lost
through the inadequate support given
these governmental agencies. He placed
the blame largely upon the, Budget Bu-
reau. whose officials. he declared, rely
for estimates by clerks and bookkeeperS
unfamiliar with the scientific work OF
such bureaus.
Organization of State and local tax
payers associations and formation of
committees to pass on bond issues and
other public projects was recommended
with a view of curbing the rising cost
of State and local government and un-
reasonable taxation.
At its session yesterday morning,
which brought the convention to close.
Representative Scott Leavitt Of Mon
tana and William j. Serrill, president of
the American Standards Associations
were among the speakers. Senator Cd
die had outlined the outlook for mining
legislation in Congress. He particularly
recommended reorganization Of the Bud
get Bureau to provide more liberal funds
for the scientific work of the Govern
ment.
Farms and Mining Related.
Mr.. Leavitt described inter-relation of
mining and agriculture. both OF which,
he said, were faced by similar difficulties
Of transportation and marketing and
both dependent upon general prosperity
for a continuance of their own. Re-
moval of tax inequalities in the iron ore
mining industry by State Legislatures
and governmental agencies was recon-
mended by S. l.. Mather of Cleveland
who referred particularly to conditions
In the Lake Superior district in Mime
sofa. Michigan and Wisconsin.
Under its new president, Robert E. Tally
of Clarkdale, AriZ., the American Min
ing Congress Is expected to carry out
an aggressive campaign during the year
for removal or alienation OF grievances
and handicaps under which the mining
industries have suffered in the past.
More than one Of the speakers during
the convention pointed out that the
mining industry. almost alone among
others, has refrained from making con-
certed demands for relief.
Under its new president. Robert E. Tally
President Tally, however. the mining
body, it was pointed out. has no inten-
ton of departing from its regular course
of presenting its various proposals to
Congress through the ordinary channels.