New-York tribune., 1903-01-19
.SEN4 TIE NAY 4CT 4LONE.
Separate Trust Legislation Proposed
M the Ippe, House
Inr TELEGRAPH TO TIRE TRIBUNE. I

Washington. Jan. 1S-With view TO facili-
tating antitrust legislation. the President held
conference with leading members Of the Sen
ate to-day. and discussed with them those
amendments of the statutes regarded as essen
tial by the Attorney General and the attitude
Of the Senate with regard to them. AS the close
of the short session is not far off. Mr. Roosevelt
is desirous that the Senate subcommittee ap-
pointed for the purpose of reporting anti
trust measure. undertake its consideration of
the subject without waiting for the passage of
a House bill. and his desire meets with the ap-
proval OF the subcommittee
At the informal conference held at the White
House to-day the entire subject of antitrust
legislation discussed. and opinions as to
the extent to which the Senate would he willing
TO so in legisiating on this delicate and com
pick subject were freely expressed.
While it has been the desire of the Senate
subcommittee to receive from the House the
measure which, it is known. is being framed
largely along the lines outlined by the Attorney
General. that committee has determined
TO put into concrete form its own views on the
subject, and, original ideas have been
presented by prominent Senators. it is possible
that an antitrust bill viii be reported TO
the Senate Committee Judiciary.
1t is held by the friends of antitrust legisia-
ton that if the President can inspregip the
Senate the ideas which will he embodied in the
House antitrust bill he will have done much to
promote its final passage, of a similar meas
ure, at this session, and, moreover, he will have
obviated the suggestion already advanced in
some quarters that the Senate will be merely
falling into line with legislation conceived and
framed by the House. custom most unusual
with all measures not directly affecting the rev
enues
While the President has every confidence in
the views and recommendations of the Attorney
General, he does not overlook the fact that III
the Senate is to be found some of the best legal
talent in the United States. together with wide
familiarity with the business conditions prevail
ing in ali parts of the country. If therefore,
he secures the hearty cooperation of the upper
chamber. the cause which he earnestly
espouses will be materially benefited.
From all of the Senators with whom he has
conferred Mr.. Roosevelt has received assurances
Of cooperation TO the ends that trust evils he
corrected and that so-called trusts existing
chiefly for speculative purposes. he brought
under proper federal supervision.
The desire of Attorney General Knox that the
system of granting rebates on transportation
charges he abolished, meets with hearty ap-
proval from not only the leading members Of the
Senate but from many of the largest railroads
of the country. which would be glad to
uniform and invariable rate schedule estab-
lished. Such publicity will not work hard
ship to legitimate industrial institutions by fur
nishng to competitors, both foreign and domes-
tic. information which could be used TO the det-
riment of its original possessors. also meets with
approval.
In the main. it may be said, that the Senate
will work along the lines al
ready outlined, will make such pertinent addi-
tions as may present themselves, and will guard
against all possibility OF unconstitutonaIlty ahd
all danger to the legitimate business interests of
the nation