New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-23
MR.. TAFT CAUTIOUS
ON SHERMAN ACT
A CONFERENCE WITH CAB
met MEMBERS.
The administration Carefully Con-
sidering Proposed Changes in
A4nti-I'rust LazC.

after a conference to-day between President
Taft and members of his Cabinet. Mr. MacVeagh.
the Secretary of the Treasury; Attorney General
Wickersham and Mr.. Meyer. the Secretary of
the Navy, after long consultation on the Sher-
man antitrust act. In the light of hundreds Of
decisions. became firm to-day in the conviction
that only the most carefully considered changes
in even the wording Of the different sections Of
the act could be suggested to Congress. and
that these suggestions should deal only with the
application of cases which. il Is believed. were
never in contemplation by the trainers of the
original statute.
Take two instances: A merchant OF manu-
facturer engaged In legitimate business that
covers certain states wishes to sell his business
and his goodwill and so In the terms Of the sale
obrgates himself TO the purchaser not to go into
the same business In those states Such
straint Of trade has always been enforced at
common law.
Again. the employees OF interstate railroad
combine and enter upon peaceable and lawful
strike 10 secure better wages. AT common law
such a restraint trade commerce.
a violation OF the rights of the company
the public II Is the belief of the astute lawyers
Of the present administration that neither case
ought 10 be made violation of sIe Sherman act
In company with these suggestiea- will prob
ably go those who favor other changes required
in the executive departments concerning ssttsr
endorsements
Many other phases of the Sherman acs were
also discussed to-day. and will be brought later
before other members Of the Cabinet Attorney
General Wickersham leaves tomorrow for New
York. but Secretary MacVeagh will remain on
the North Shore for few days before returning
TO his summer home in Dublin.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT.
Regarding the proposed changes in the Inter-
state Commerce act. il is stated that the efforts
OF the present administration will be toward lift
ing from the shoulders of the present board the
work OF investigating rates and alleged viola
tions Of the act. and shifting such labOrs 70 the
Department Of Commerce
The makeup of the new tariff board dis
cussed in detail and long list of forty more
names for the three places was carefully exam
ined. The Cabinet paused for quite little while
The name OF James B. Reynolds, OF Massa-
chusetts. for the last three years Assistant Sec
retary OF the Treasury before fastening 70 the
others and il Is thought probable that the Bay
State tariff expert may be further considered
No definite action. however, will be taken until
more complete Cabinet meeting is held
The retrenchrnent plans which Secretary Meyer
has inaugurated in the Navy Department are ex-
pected to take definite shape before Congress
meets through the reports of the three boards
which are making rigid Investigations along
such lines Secretary Meyer viii have tele-
phonic conference to- morrow with Rear Admiral
Swift commandant OF the Boston yard and
chairman of the board on navy yard administra-
ton and if the time limit for that boards re-
port. which is October l. is uGproductive of def
mite results the board will be given a few weeks
more In the course of a week Secretary Meyer
expects to visit the Portsmouth yard for an in
spectiOn.
Secretary Meyer will continue his frequent
visits 20 Burgess Point. and in addition may in
duIge in a few rounds of golf at Myopia with the
President although the head of the Navy De-
partment has not that command over the bras
sic or the putter that his chief has acquired
during the two weeks amid the traps and bunk
ers of the hardest golf course in the country.
NO REGULAR ARMY REDUCTION.
A definite denial was made to-day at the sum
mer capital of the report that reduction of the
regular army was under contemplation.
II is a strange day in the private office OF
Private Secretary Carpenter when there comes
no invitation from some organization 20 Presi-
dent Taft.
The only functions which the President viii
attend during the twenty-three remaining days
OF his stay in Massachusetts the Yale Clubs
outdoor meet at Brookline September 6. the
luncheon to the Sender yachtsmen on the May
flower September o. when the Taft cup will be
presented 10 the winner of the German-A ATnss1-
can series and the banquet of the Boston
Chamber of Commerce. September H. the eve
of his departure on his Western trip. Both the
Yale field day and the Sender luncheon are,Of a
private nature. the only public appearance OF
the President will be in Mechanics Hall. In
Boston. when he win clear his throat for two
months of OratOry.
President Taft was engrOssed in the cares
Of state to-day that even church attendance was
omitted During the forenoon long list Of
rardon cases was considered. while in the after
noon the intricate and delicate questions of the
personnel Of the new tariff board. the changes
in the interstate commerce and antitrust acts
and some economic measures which have been
instituted in the Navy Department. were dts
cussed.
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