The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-04
Large Amount Of Business
to Be Transacted in Quick
Order if Schedule Is Car
RED Out-Anti-Trust Leg
islaHon Most Urgent,
Other Questions of Supreme
Importance Include 18th
mian Canal Treaty, Cuban
Reciprocity, and Army and
Navy Measures.

After q vacation dating from Deem
her 20 Congress viii convene tomorrow
TO complete, in the fifty working days
remaining. much important work that
has already beeu outlined and that
which was left over from the first ses-
sion of the Fifty-seveuth Congress The
intermittent working of both branches
thus far has left all Of the pressing
measures which demand public atJen-
ton in a state OF grave uncertainty
With factions pulling in divers direc-
tions, and little time in which to patch
up harmony. there are some questions in
need Of legislation that viii probably be
found sleeping when March I and ad-
journment come rolling around.
Overshadowing all other measures is
the demand for antitrust legislation.
The chief bill on this subject, OF course,
is that OF Senator Hoar, inasmuch as It
passes as the Administration measure
and on that account attracts even more
than national interest It was known
before the short session of Congress
convened that legislation regulating
trusts was TO be OF paramount import
ance. though the delay Of The Senate IN
taking up the matter in say detract-
ed from it, other bills. such as the
militia bill, the omnibus Statehood
measure and that affecting the rights
of aliens all have had their part in the
first week or so Of the session Now
they must give way. at least so far as
holding public interest is concerned.
0tI4a- rT,--,s-+ ~ "a --,--o,-
Mr. Hoar's bill however. is not the
only one before Congress which has for
It's object the regulating of commerce IN
the restraint of trade. The House has its
pet measures on the subject, in fact, the
subcommittee of the House judiciary
Committee VIII report a bill some time
this week. and there is the best Of as
surance that the full committee VIII re
port 1t to the House
Whatever the Judiciary Committee re-
ports viii be the basis OF legislation IN
The lower branch OF Congress That the
committee measure will contain the
publicity features of The LittlefeId buI
now seems a practical certainty. On
this poiny the Senate and House. are
agreed, and some definite legislation
along this line as a consequence of this
harmonious feeling now appears more
probable than at any time since the
antitrust legislation was begun.
The ShaHenberger Bill.
Ore antitrust bill before the House
judiciary Committee was introduced by
Representative ShaIIenberger Of Ne
braska, and IN large extent is said 10
represent the views of the Hon " J.
Bryan. It provides for two new propo-
sitions in the regulation of trusts First.
that there shall be a tax of 10 per cent
en- the value Of the stock Of all corpora
lions engaged in interstate commerce.
second. that all corporations which shall
take out Federal Interstate commerce
license. comply with the provisions o.
The law as to full reports regarding their
methods Of doing business. and submit
10 a thorough system of inspection by
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
snail be exempt from the 10 per cent tax
on all stock which represents actual
capital invested. The bill further pro-
vides that all watered stock shall in any
case pay az annual tax Of 10 per cent on
its face value.
Fate Of the Trusts.
The fate Of the trusts IS in the Sen
ate's hands. that body having the final
decision on this question Senator Hoar,
Chairman OF the Senate Committee on
The Judiciary. has shown his hand in the
bill which was submitted for distribution
Frida - ght AMI generally printed ; es-
terd enator Platt Of Connecticut, the
ember Of she committes-wl 10
Jed TO be averse TO legislation
ionaI grounds. has been won
s=a=z thorough Investigation made
gEIoar on this point. AID las
himself in favor OF come
taFen by Congress along
by the President
on Of bali million dol
p the Attorney General
OF Illegal corporations
business has already
ed the House, and is
nate In that form, and
he provisions CT Mr.
b both the House and
sed 10 pass bills for the
of trusts it seems prob
question viii be ire i'm
ssY the Congress program
important Questions.
s at least six other questions
Importance demanding POSI-
either through the people CT
Tldent. so it is With satisfaction
z# e leaders look over She calendar
ssszsS and but one holiday between this
and adjournment This is Nash-
- gton S birthday, and IL viii nor inter
49, se much of an obstarlc 10 continuous
york The reading Of the last message
President Washington made 10 CaHeTess
. viii be all the consideration lie memory
Of the first President viii receive az tkis
time Neither viii there he any mere
adjourBmeuts rom TfBrsday 10 Monday.
the grind must bc incessaut if in Us hoped
TO accomplish Sue-haf % tha work
mapped out for the time remaining.
Final legislation looking 10 the con
stFuction of an isthmian canal remains
With the executive branch Of Congress,
and SO far as the Panama route is con
eerned The prospects are not bright
despite the announcement Of satisfac-