The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-12-29
ANTITRUST BILL
IS CONDEMNED
Rep. Martin Says Incorporation Sec
tion Prepared by Attorney \
General Il Weak.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 29.-The ad-
ministration antitrust measure pro-
viding for voluntary federal incorpora-
ton Of 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 TO
learn definitely the provisions in the
Wickersham measure, which, II Is
understood, will be proposed In Presi.
dent Taft's special message TO con-
gress expected by that body Jan. 5.
Rep. Martin OF South Dakota, who
has framed several antitrust meas
ures. was at the White House today.
and was outspoken In 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.
It's principal feature Is voluntary
federal incorporation act. II pro-
vides that IL corporations doing an
interstate business desire they may
take out a federal charter from q
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 10 criticise.
1T Is Obvious said Rep. Martin.
as he left the White House today.
that illegal and lawbreaking corpora
tons will of their own yolitiOn, not In
corporate under a federal law that
would put an end to their illegal &C.
tivity. Under a voluntary law. the so.
called good corporations. which are
not the ones really needing federal
supervision. would Immediately take
out federal charters. The so-called
bad corporations-the illegal trusts
which have built up their business by
violating the law-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 IL they
are violating the law"
1t Is probable that IL the administra-
ton antitrust measure follows the ex-
pected line a we'll 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
be the first time in history that con-
gress has placed member OF the cab
met on trial.
In requesting for an investigation,
Ballinger stipulated THAI the forest
service also be made the subject or
inquiry. This has been conceded to
by the leaders In congress and by
President Taft.
According to present plans the in
vestigation 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. II 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
ror,p,ttfpo