The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1910-03-12
Measure Has Active Opposition
Among Statesmen Of
Both Parties.
NOT LIKELY TO GO THROUGH
Little Probability That the Bill Will
Pass at This Session-President
Wants Full Truth In Inves-
tigation Into Cost OF
High Living.

Dill IOT tue IeueTdl uCcuSc VI Coi poho a
tons engaged in interstate commerce
finally is before congress. 1t has been
introduced into the house by Repre-
sentative R. w. Parker, chairman of
the house committee on judicial af-
fairs, and in the senate by Senator
Clarence d. Clark, chairman of the
corresponding committee in the upper
house.
There is little likelihood that this
measure, in which President Tafts
heart is greatly engaged, will pass con-
gress at this session. While there may
not be a great amount of opposition to
the measure, as general proposition
there is very bitter opposition in the
ranks of both the Republicans and
Democrats to some of the bill details.
The most of the Democrats do not like
1t, however, as a general proposition
because they believe it invades the
field of state rights.
President Taft, because of his posi-
tive refusal to agree to plan to with
draw the governments suit to dis
solve merger of two great western
railroads, has been charged recently as
being the foe to all corporation activ-
tiles. Word has reached the White
House that the belief of some capital
lists is that Mr.. Taft is going ahead
with causeless prosecutions and that
he is ben, on securing legislation which
will cripple industry.
To Offset this 1t has been charged
that the president has been advocat-
ing the federal licensing system for
corporations because 1t will enable the
large concerns to carry on their af-
fairs with much greater license than
ever was contemplated before, a IL
cense of which the country cannot ap-
prove. So it seems that Mr.. Taft is
charged with two Numerically op-
posed offenses. He has let his friends
know tina. he believes that he is stand
ing on the middle ground and that
when the country learns his position
exactly it will approve what he is
doing.
Postponed Action Likely.
Whether the country ultimately viii
approve of the presidents course or
not of course remains to be seen, but
the consensus Of Republican official
opinion is to the effect that the fed
eral license law will not pass congress
until next winter, but that the way will
be paved for its passage at this ses-
sion.
President Taft in framing his fed.
eral license recommendation called
into daily consultation for weeks the
great lawyer members of his cabinet
Secretaries Wickersham, Dickinson
Nagel and Ballinger, and brought the
bill into a condition which he thinks
to be proof against any fault finding
on the ground of unconstitutionality
The cabinet official who is considered
perhaps to be the best lawyer in the
presidents Official family, has this tc
say concerning the main proposition oil
the federal license bills intention
which is THE proper control of cor
porations and prevention of monopo
lies:"
Il regret very much the process BY
which decision was reached by the
lower court in the Standard Oil case
not the result, mind you, but that the
decision was predicted upon the fab
ric of the Standard Oil Company, ant
not on its operations. Relativel,
speaking. the fabric is of little impor
lance.
THE real question is not whethe
corporation controls other corpora
lions or establishes branches in the va
rious parts of the country-that is t,
say, is a combination. The point i
whether or not. In the process of build
ing up its combination, it has crushe,
legitimate competition.
The Real Question.
What we want to know of GU
corporations is whether or not the
are a monopoly and are exercising me
nopolistic control to the injury OF tn
public.
1.-The great trade combination te
day is often the result of varying stat
laws and regulations which render |
difficult for the independent concern
to do an interstate and foreign bus
ness.
The federal charter will reliev
the corporation from various local al
noyances to which it should not be sui
ject. What the government wants (
know is how that corporation is ca
rying on its business. This 1t canns
learn until the business is done undo
a federal charter. We want contr,
for the purpose of protecting the puI
: lie, not necessarily for the purpose
breaking up the combination
The administration has intimate
J sharply that it is its set intention
securing federal Incorporation law,
provide in every possible way again
writing into the statute any pr
vision which can be criticised a
yersely by those who seem to b
| l 49, tta& fha root ;~<o-&3c.