Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-08-19
From Washington.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.

Washington, Aug. 10.
An important conference will be held
10 New York within the next two weeks
70 consider proposed changes in the in-
terstate commerce law and in the Sber.
man antitrust law. Among those who
will be present will be Attorney General
Wickershtm. Solicitor General Bowers,
Chairman Kuapp, of the Interstate Com
nerce Commission, Mr.. Pronty, a men,
Der of that body, and Representative
Townsend, of Michigan, who is a mem
Der of the House committee on iutersa' G
commerce and who has made the ques.
ton of railroads and transportation a
special study. The purpose of the con-
ference will be to suggest alterations In
the laws governing railroads aud cOrpo.
rstiOns which are to be submitted to
President Taft in order that he may in
clude them 10 his recommendation to
Congress 10 his annual message. The
president has certain well defined ideas
as to the changes that he considers neces-
sary to facilitate add make more effective
the government supervision of the rail-
roads, on the one hand, and on the other
to relieve interstate commerce of some
unnecessary burdens and restrictions.
1t is President TaiPs belief that the
railroads should be relieved from the
operations of the Sherman antitrust Law
aud that they should be permitted Ia
make combinations and agreements be-
tween themselves so long as they are moi
10 restraint Of trade and provided that
they are made under the supervision OIL
the government. He also thinks that
the penalties for the formation of com.
binations which do stiff competition aud
are in restraint OF trade should be
made heavier than under existing law.
An important subject under considers.
tion is legislation giving to the govern.
ment control over the capitalization not
only of railroads but of all corporations
doing an interstate business. Before
che of these corporations could Issue
new stocks or bonds 1t would, If the
idea is worked out, be compelled to
show 10 to the satisfaction of the govern
ment that it had the properly upon
which to base the Issue. This would
prevent over capitalization and the
watering of stocks 10 the future bat the
question is undetermined as TO whether
the government should also be autho-
rlzsd to examine existing issues with
the object of squeezing the water out of
them.
David Williams, the mess atten dant
on board the bsttleship Vermont, 10 a
boxing bout with whom one of his
shipmstes was killed, lie being tried for
msnslanghter on board one OF The ships
Of the feet, according to dispatch to
The Navy Department today from Ad-
miral SCHROEDER, who ordered the court.
The state OF Massachusetts, having
waived its right to try Williams for the
boxirg incident, il vas the Intention OF
the department to turn him over to
Georgia to be tried on charge OF as.
ssult. As bis trial is DOW 10 progress 10
the navy, be will not be turned over IN
I'll its completion. 10 case he is &C.
quilted, which is likely, he will then be
given into the custody OF the Georgia
officials.
The photographic Office in the Navy
Department issued for the first time
today the quarterly Pilo: chart OF the
South Pacific Ocean. Ii Ia Invaluable
for mariners sailing in those waters and
prepsres the way for the increase in
shipping in that region that is expected
to follow the opening Of the Panama
canal. With the exception of the
Indian Ocean, the photographic Office
now issues regularly charts covering the
entire world. Preparations are now