The Detroit times., 1909-12-30
AhTI-MUsT BILL
=. IS Condemned
Rep. Martin Says Incorporation Sec
ton Prepared ny Attorney
Il General Is\weak.

WASHINGTON, Dec 29.-The ad.
ministration antitrust measure pro.
viding for voluntary fede,al incorpora-
lion or companies doing AN interstate
business, which has been prepared
by Acknowledgement Wickersham.
brought storm about the ears OF
President Taft at the White House
today.
There Is a well organized antitrust
legislation contingent In congress and
every member is on the alert 10
learn definitely the provisions In the
Wickersham measure, which. Ii Is
understood. will be proposed in Presi-
dent Tafts special message to con-
sress expected by that body Jan. s.
Rep Martin OF South Dakota, who
has framed several antitrust meas
ures, was at the White House today.
and was outspoken I'm his criticism
OF what he understands are the pro-
visions OF the Wickersham bill. The
Encouragement has been at work on
the matter for some time and today
he turned over TO the president n
completed draft OF the proposed bill.
Its principal feature is a voluntary
dtl. ptO-
vides that IL corporations doing an
interstate business desire they may
take out a federal charter from n
bureau TO be connected with the de-
partment OF commerce and labor.
There is no compulsory provision In
the statute and that Is where anti.
trust legislators begin to criticise.
1T is obvious" said Rep. Martin,
as he left the White House today,
that illegal and lawbreaking corpora
tions will of their own volition. not In
corporate under federal law that
would put an end to their Illegal ac-
tlvity. Under voluntary law. the So
called good corporations, which are
not the ones really needing federal
supervision. would Immediately take
cut federal charters. The so-called
bad corporations--the illegal trusts
which have built up their business by
violating the lawN-would continue as
they are today, scorning to hand them
selves over to the control Of the gov
eminent.
MANY members OF congress, includ-
ing myself, favor compulsory clause
If We must have an incorporation
law. All corporations in interstate
trade, capitalized above a reasonable
figure, should, in our judgment, be
given a limited time-say one year
TO take out federal charters. II they
do not comply, provide for drastic in
vestigation of the business and bar
them from the interstate trade II they
are violating the law"
II is probable that II the administra-
I'LL he
pected line well defined opposition
will be encountered in congress.
When congress reconvenes next
week. one OF the first things to be
done will be the appointment of spe-
cial joint committee TO investigate the
Ballinger-Pinchot controversy. 1t will
he the first time in history that con-
gress has placed member OF the cab
met on trial.
In requesting for an investigation.
Ballinger stipulated that tho forest
service also be made the subject OF
inquiry. This has been conceded to
by the leaders in congress and by
President Taft.
According to present plans the in
yestigation will be sweeping and every
opportunity will be afforded both bel
ligerents to make good their case. On
Tuesday or Wednesday the joint reso-
luton providing for the investigation
will be presented by the senate com.
mittee on public lands and the house.
committee on lands. 1t is expected the
resolution will be adopted without
much discussion.
Senator Nelson, chairman of the
committee on public lands. will prob
ably be chairman of the investigating
committee.