The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-12-29
President Will Kill the Practice
II He Can Have His
Own Way.
TO APPEAL TO CONGRESS
QUESTION Is A DELICATE ONE
AND HE WILL HANDLE IT WITH
GREAT CARE IN A SPECIAL
MESSAGE.

washington, Dec. l3.-FTeSloenI
Taft wants to see congress undertake
to stop gambling in wheat, corn, cot
ton and other products OF the farm.
lie is convinced that legitimate in
dustry suffers from gambling in fu-
lures, and he believes the gullible pub
lie should be protected from this form
of speculation. Accordingly he has
decided to urge congress to adopt
law that will be as effective in deal
ing with this form OF gambling as
were the laws aimed at the sale of
lottery tickets and the great concerns
that were engaged in the business.
The evil will form the subject of
conference soon to be held at the
white house. The president is deep
ly interested. and will make known
his views on the matter either in a
special message or in a report on a
bill to be introduced by Representa-
tive Scott. of Kansas.
A Delicate Subject.
The leading lawyers OF the admin
istration have been consulted by
President Taft in his consideration OF
the evil of gambling in products. He
believes the problem should be ap-
proac hed with the greatest care and a
message framed that will solve it
without in any way interfering with
the exchange, transfer and sale OF
stock by legitimate bodies.
The president has invited a number
of officials to confer with him on the
subject. among them Secretary OF
State Knox. Attorney General Wick
ersham. Representative Scott, Repre-
sentative Lowering, of Massachusetts
and Commissioner of Corporations
Herbert Knox Smith.
Works on First Special Message.
President Taft has begun the prepa
ration of the first Of his special mes
sages to congress. This message will
deal with the amendments which he
believes are necessary in the inter
state commerce and Sherman anti
trust acts. The president will dea
with the antitrust act at great length
He also will bring forward his ideas
as to issuing federal licenses to cor
porations. The proposed license will
be a voluntary one, to be taken ad
vantage of by such corporations a!
desire to place themselves under fed
eral Jurisdiction, or left alone, as thu
directors of the corporations see fit.
It has been currently reported TO
some time that President Taft Nigh
delay his antitrust recommendation
until the supreme court had FINAL.
passed on the recent Standard Oil dc
cision. Those to whom the presiden
has talked within the last day or tw
say, however. that he has decided t
go forward with his legislative pre-
gram regardless of the pending dec
sion.
Urged President to Wait.
There has been disposition anon
some of the leaders of the senate an
house during the last two days
urge the president not to send in hi
antitrust message just now. They a
gued that pending a decision in tt
Standard Oil case on proceeding
brought under the Sherman act tt
president is recommending changt
in the statutes might be put by h
political opponents in the light
granting a respite or favor to tt
corporations. especially in regard
federal charters or license.
Mr.. Taft is said to feel, neverth
less. that his views on the entire SUI
ject have been SO fully expressed
the past and so generally understot
as rejecting his attitude that he c,
60 ahead with his recommendation
decided on early in the fall.
The presidents message will
ready for reading in the two hous
of congress on Wednesday, January
Congress reassembles January 4, b
will Immediately adjourn out of ]