The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-27
Columbian Submits Grace
fully to Defeat.
FINE DISPLAY OF ORAT0RY
Able Arguments Presented on Both
Sides of Question of Control of
Trusts Through Federal Legislation.

trusts through Federal Legislation.
in an atmosphere of college yells,
college songs, and the varied bubbling
feated Columbian University in debate
ct the New National Theater last even
ing. The large audience was composed
almost entirely OF friends and patrons
OF both universities, and flags and bits
of ribbon-orange and blue, or blue and
gray-dotted the assembly. Each team
occupied a corner of the palm decked
stage. facing one another across tables
piled with law books and documents.
The question for debate was Resolved,
That corporations organized under the
laws of the several States, which sell
and deliver the greater portion Of their
products in other States than the one
in which they are organized, or which
list their stock upon the public stock
exchanges for sale TO the people Of all
the States. should be regulated by the
Congress of the United States and be
required 10 make periodical sworn re-
ports of their business, to submit their
books of accounts 10 Federal officers for
examination and report. and in all other
respects, to conduct their business in ac
cordance with the laws OF the United
States"
Sharply at O'Clock William ],
Fritsche. president of the Debating So
ciety OF the Columbian Schools of Law.
introduced John c. Price. president of
the Georgetown Debating Society Mr..
Price said this was the first annual de-
bate in a series of three. The ques
ton set had been chosen by Columbian,
Georgetown espousing the affirmative In
closing. he presented F. Hunter Burke.
the first man for Georgetown.
Opening the Debate.
Mr. Burke's speech was direct and
clear, and delivered with an air of sin
certify which won frequent applause. He
contended that stocks bought AMI sold
outside the company's State came IN
der the interstate commerce clause of
the Constitution. Congress is invested
with power to regulate such traffic and
publicity is the best means TO hat end.
This method is used by the Department
of Commerce, in national banks, and in
preparing tax reports. Interstate COM
Eerce must be regulated; the states ad
NIT they are powerless to do So and
Congress should undertake the work.
The remarks of Wallace c.. Franklin,
who opened the debate for Columbian
were. impressive and made with quiet
power. I'VE must not destroy the fab
ric OF government" said he, 'fn at
tempting to destroy the trust evil" The
question supposes a power given by the
Constitution. but unless that power ex-
lists the remedy OF the affirmative is a
failure. The General Government owes
its creation TO the State Such a rem
cdy would make it supreme in State at
fairs. Ito regulate interstate corn
merce." says the Constitution, not to
control it. II is impossible 10 apply the
remedy of the affirmative. Nothing is
expedient which IS unconstitutional.
Trusts Must Be Controlled.
''Our infant industries have kicked out
the tail gate OF the cradle, kicked their
father away from the head of the table
and II their Uncle Sam ventures to pro-
test they take a fall out Of him in
the woodshed of high prices said AL
exander / Rorke, second debater for
Georgetown. 1t was the keynote of his
speech. The trusts have grown so pow
erful they must be controlled the peo-
pie demand it. Over capitalization would
be impossible under the strong light of
publicity. The books of all national
banks are examined and no one ever
accused the Government of exposing
single business secret. On the contrary.
1t would give the people greater conf
dence in the corporation. The COVER
nors and secretaries of all The States
agree that over capitalization exists.
cannot be controlled under present con-
ditions, and that publicity is the remedy.
Mr.. Rorke's speech was replete with wit,
but force was never sacrificed 10 fun
Congress Without Power.
Jess B. Hawley continued the argu
ment for Columbian.
We rest our case on the decisions of
Tire Supreme Court and not on the mere
opinion Of any State Official" said he
eve must consider what Congress could
do under present conditions; not what
il could do under other circumstances
= number OF cases where the Supreme
Court had decided that Congress had no
power TO regulate interstate affairs
we're cited with telling effect. Congress
IS already overburdened with business.
4 can hardly pass fifty laws year, and
double that number would be necessary
under the proposed remedy. The union
between the States would be weakened
as a result" This gentleman's speech
was comparatively free from adornment,
but was a clear powerful presentation
OF argument. He was often interrupted
by applause.
Albert r. Denu. for Georgetown. de-
cIarcd that If the proposed legal remedy
were reasonable, expedient. universally
demanded and con1icted with no Iiber-
ty assured by The Constitution it was
according to the Constitution, even
though an amendment were necessary.
Congress has the power to stop fraudu-
lent and immoral traffic between States,