New-York tribune., 1909-08-29
CONSIDERING NEW LAWS
COMMISSIONERS TO MEET.
Presidents AppOintees to Confer
Here TO-mOrrOzc.

With Attorney General Wickersham presiding the |
commission appointed by President Taft at his
summer home. viii meet in this city tomorrow TO
consider the proposed amendments to the Sherman
antitrust law in the interstate commerce act. I'm
less plans changed at the last minute the meet
ings viii be held in room at the Bar Association
building No. AZ west 44th street. Next door, at No.
a. the private secretary of the Attorney General
has Office with assistants do the general cler-
icai work required by the commission
This commission which, in addition 10 Mr.. Wick
ersham. is composed Of Secretary Nagel OF the De-
partment Of Commerce and Labor; Solicitor Gen
eral Bowers. Representative Townsend. OF Mich-
gan, and Messrs. Knapp and Prouty. Of the Inter
state Commerce Commission, had the way cleared
for rs work in the discussions held with the Presi
dent recently. The whole ground gone
at the conference and the needs of changes in the
light of the many court decisions since the laws
became operative were pointed out by Mr. Wicker
sham especially.
Just what these changes were TO be would not be
made public, IL said yesterday until the re-
port Of the commissions work placed I'm the
hands OF the President. which would be in Novem-
Der. on his return from his long Western and
Southern trip. But 1t said that the interstate
commerce act would be changed to make the
work OF the body in charge of its enforcement more
judicial and place the investigations necessary In
the hands OF the Department Of Justice The In
terstate Commerce Commission may become a part
or one OF the departments, presumably Secretary
NageTs.
Some action viii be proposed that will give the
Interstate Commerce Commission or the depart
ment with which II may be amalgamated. power to
regulate the issuance Of stock by interstate rail-
roads, SO that overcapitalzation may be obviated
These things Were all discussed at Beverly, at
which meetings Mr.. Wickersham laid before the
President much OF the information he had gathered
IN the course OF his Investigations here. The Attor-
ney General is stil pursuing his studies OF the two
laws and the court decisions. and there will be
adoitionaF material ready when the commission
meets
1t was said yesterday that the meetings OF the
commission would be secret and that If any in
formation We're to be given out to its delbera-
uons II would be by way OF the summer executive
offices at Beverly. Efforts will be made 10 make it
difficult get at the commission It's members
as IT has been to approach the Attorney General
during his sojourn in this city. His private secre-
tary. Frank Cole. guards the portal Inquiries at
the Bar Association referred to him. and in his
office next door lie can give as many reasons why
Mr.. Wickersham should not be disturbed the
most accomplished secretary who guarded the
President at Washington.
The clerks at the desk In the Bar Association
building have their instructions. which are simply
To refer inqurers 90 Mr. Cole. and they cannot be
moved 10 depart from that formula They are
never sure whether the Attorney General Is really
IN any Of the association rooms. whether he IS
In the library. The fact Is that Mr. Wickersham.
a rule, has a room TO himself. where. surrounded
by piles OF books and with "A stenographer fire.
quently at his elbow. he IS delying into the de-
cisions that have laid LGre the strength and the
weaknesses OF the acts under consideration.
7 Mr. WIckersham LEFT Washington expressly to
devote his vacation 20 the arduous work which he
Is AT present engaged IN. He would have studied
the questions involved at the department. In Wash
ingion but the frequent interruptions there made
close attention 10 the matter in hand almost I'M
possible lie was compelled TO insist upon freedom
from interruption here. owing 20 the exiSeney o.
the situation a. It was Presidents wish to
,l.. a., q f. ftr, M might
decided TO make shape for presentation 10 Con-
s,ress when IL met in December.