Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-15
Discussing Amendment Of
Sherman Anti Trust Law.
WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE
Aiming to Meet Supreme Courts
Requirements.
CONGRESS LEADERS CONSULTED
Secretary Garfield and Commission
ers Smith and Neill Closeted
With the President.

Another of a series of important con-
ferences relating to proposed amendments
of the Sherman antitrust law was nelu
last night at the White House. the par
ticipants. besides the President. being Sec
retary Garfield. Herbert Knox smith,
commissioner of corporations, and Charles
P. Neill commissioner of labor.
In the last four days officials and rep
resentatives of corporations and industrlai
organizations interested in the proposed
legislation have been in conference almost
constantly At the initial conference Oh
Importance President Roosevelt took up
the matter with Seth Low. former mayor
of New York and identified with the Civic
Federation, and Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent of the American Federation of La
bor That conference was held at a
White House luncheon.
Congress Leaders Consulted.
1t was determined there that the mat
ter ought to be given a wider scope than
at first was deemed possible. and the
President indicated that he would at
later time discuss the subject of amend
ments of the Sherman law not only with
those who are interested in the subject
directly or in an academic way but also
with the leaders of both houses of Con-
gress. to whom he made it plain it was
necessary to look for the legislation. Sub
sequently the President went into the pro-
posed amendments more fully with lead
ers of the House and Senate, including
Speaker Cannon and Representative Sher-
man, Senator Aldrich, Senator Lodge,
Senator Elkins and others. Finally the
President. having considered the matter
with the members of his cabinet directed
Commissioner Smith of the bureau of cor
porations TO prepare tentative draft OF
such amendments as were suggested at
the Civic Federation conference in Chi
cago last fall. This draft has been con-
sidered for several days and was under
consideration last night.
The Law and Labor.
1t is understood that difficulty IS being
experienced in preparing an amendment
that will, by its very nature exempt
labor organizations from the operation
of the Sherman antitrust law. under
which they may now be classed as con-
spiracies in restraint of trade. In the
Danbury hatter's case the United States
Supreme Court substantially held that
labor organizations were to be considered
trusts as much as organizations of capi-
tai. The plan in the proposed amended
law is not TO exempt organized labor from
any of its obligations to the public. but
| rather to prevent any injustice being done
through operation Of law. to organizations
of laboring men. particularly through in
functions. 1t is the belief of those who
have discussed the amendments that a
law can be drawn SO as to meet the re-
quirements of the Supreme Court de-
cision. although it is admittedly a difficult
task.
Last nights conference related especial
ly to this point. both Commissioner Smith
and Commissioner Neill within the last
week having talked over the matter with
representatives of organized labor. They
were prepared to lay before the Presi-
dent the views of the labor people as well
as their own.
1t is expected that amendments as agreed
upon. will be crystalized into the form
OF a bill TO be presented to Congress with
in the coming week zen days The
likelihood of its enactment at this seS-
sion is moi thought to be bright but it
is hoped that with the influences behind
it Congress may be induced to take action
before final adjournment