Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-01-07

half of The state. He was followed BY
Messr,. F. P. Russell and r D. Brum-
bsck for the defense, sud Mr. Brent will
deliver the closiag argument.
The Presidents Message.
Washington, Jap. THE opening
gun of Pfesiden. Tst!'s campaign for
constructive Legislation vas fred today,
when bis message recommending smeDd.
ments to the interstate conu law,
aud legislation supplementary to the
Sherman antitrust law was read in
Congress.
Foremost among the presidents rec.
concentrations are: "United Ststes Court
of Commerce, the prosecution and de-
Tense OF cases brought by and against the
Interstate Commerce Commission by the
Department OF Justice instead OF by
special attorneys; provision torbiddlng
railroads 10 acquire capital stock in COM.
petiDg, lines; a provision forbiddIng the
issuance OF capital stock without ply.
ment of the par value unless /; lie
founded on bona ide physical yslua Ion
of property; and voluntary incorporation
for combinations engaged In interstate
commerce.
In outlining the jurisdiction OF he
proposed court ofcommerce the president
provides tha. practically all cases except
those involving the collection OF
penalty or the inhiction of criminal
punishment. involving the Interstate
Commerce Commission, shall be triable
by the court, and that Its decision shall
bs reviewed only upon appeal to the
United States Supreme court. The az
pointment of FIVE additional judges Of
the United States Circuit Court, whose
saIary while sitting In commerce court
shall be $1,000 year Is also recon.
mendad.
The president also recommends that
the Interstate Commerce Commission be
given the power to alter rates submitted
by carriers, and to prescribe the maxi
mum tate in case rates submitted are
touLd to be e1orbitant. II however The
commission fails to Investigate rate
submitted, within sixty days, the rate
should take effect. The message also
recommends that shippers be given the
right to select one of tSo or more pos
sible routes for The shipment OF their
goods.
In outlining his court of commerce
the president provides that the court
should be held at the capital but should
be empowered TO hold sessions anywhere
10 the United States should 1t be neces-
sary.
The handling of interstate commerce
By TIE Department OF Justice Ia neces-
sary the president says because, the pres
ent system confuses the judicial execu-
tive and legislative functions in one
body, the Interstate Commerce Commits.
sion, and robs 1t OF its judicial attitude.
The president says that the provision
iorbidding railroads from acquiring
stock in competing lines. should not be
made applicable to roads now holding
more than so per cent OF competing
lines, il such roads desire to complete
the purchase OF the outstanding stock oil
the already controlled road.
Stock and bond issues are discussed
at length In the message, and recon-
mends that legislation ha passed for
bidding the Issuance OF stocks or bonds
until their full par value shall have been
paid to the issuing corporation. Any
Issues of stocks or bonds made by corpo.
rations recognizing under The proposed
statutes are recommended to be placed
directly under the supervision OF the
Interstate Dom merce Commission. These
provisions strike to the very root Of the
stock watering evil.
The presidents accommodation for
federal Incorporation law outiIres vol.
untary measure, but one, which be says
will force big corporations to one OF
three things:
"First-They must resolve themselves
into their component parts in The differ"
eat states, With consequent loss OF esp.
ltal snd organization.
"Sscoud-Iu defiance of law and un-
der some secret trust they must attempt
to continue their business 10 violation OF
the federal statutes, and thus bring on
an inevitable criminal prosecution.
"rhird-They must re.orgsn!zo and
accept 10 good faith The federal charter
[ suggesi,p