Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1910-02-18
Measure Has Active Opposition
Among Statesmen Of
Both Parties.
NOT LIKELY TO GO THROUGH
Little Probability That tho Bill VIII
Psss at This sesslon--PresIdent
Wants Full Truth In Inves-
tgatlon Into Cost Of
Hlqh Living.

bill for the federal license of corpora
tions 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 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 general proposition
because they believe 1t 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 bent 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 1t seems that Mr.. Taft is
charged with two Numerically op-
posed offenses. He has let his friends
know thai he believes that he is stand
ing on the middle ground and that
when the country learns his position
exactly 1t will approve what he is
doing.
Postponed Action Likely.
Whether the country ultimately will
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 recommendations 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 to
say concerning the main proposition of
the federal license bills intention,
which is "The proper control of cor.
porations and prevention of monopo.
lies:"
II 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, and
not on its operations. Relatively
speaking, the fabric is of little impor
tance.
THE real question is not whether
a corporation controls other corpora
tions or establishes branches In the va
rious parts of the country-that is tc
say. is a combination. The point is
whether or not, in the process of build
ing up its combination, it has crushed
legitimate competition.
The Real Question.
What we want to know of oul
corporations is whether or not the,
are a monopoly and are exercising mo
nopolistic control to the injury of the
public.
THE great trade combination to
day is often the result of varying STATE
laws and regulations which render 1
difficult for the independent concerns
to do an interstate and foreign bust
ness.
THE federal charter will reliev,
the corporation from various local an
noyances to which 1t should not be sub
ject. What the government wants (,
know is how that corporation is cal
rying on its business. This 1t canno
learn until the business is done unde
federal charter, We want contro
for the purpose of protecting the pull
lie, not necessarily for the purpose O
breaking up the combination.
The administration has intimate
sharply that II is its set intention Il
occurring fedaral incOrDOration law A.
provide In every possible way agains
writing into the statute any pro
vision, which can be criticised az
versely by those who seem to be
lieve that the real intention is I
deprive the states of the local contro
of corporations which they should e'
ercise.
President Taft Is resentfnI hs