Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-08
PRESIDENT MAKES REcoMMEN-
DATioNs ON INTERSTATE CON-
MERGE AND ANTITRUST LAWS;
BILLS TO BE FILED.
FEDERAL CHARTER
ACT HELD URGENT
NEW FEATURE IS HELD TO BE
OPPORTUNITY TO BRING BIG
CORPORATIONS INTO ZONE OF
LAWFuLNESs.

Washington, D. c.. Jan. 7.-Presi-
hent Taft's special message dealing
with amendments to the Interstate
commerce laws looking to more eff
fective general supervision of the rail-
roads, and conveying his recommends
tions for the passage of federal in
corporation act, was sent to congress
today. The message embodies all of
the suggestions the president made in
his various speeches on the subject.
He suggests no changes in the Sher-
man antitrust law at this time. The
antitrust feature of the message deals
solely with the subject Of federal char
tors. The president thinks an oppor-
tunity should be given the big in
dustrial combination to bring their
business once more into the zone of
lawfulness' by taking out a federal
charter under certain prescribed con-
ditions, before it becomes necessary
10 proceed against every corporation
about which there is a breath of sus-
picion.
The Federal Charters.
Briefly summarized the conditions
npon which federal charters are to be
granted under the presidents recon-
nendations are:
Issue of stool to equal only
cash paid In on a fair valuation of
property upon which Issued.
Corporations prohibited from ac-
curling and holding stock In other
corporations except upon the ap-
proyal Of federal authorities.
Federal Incorporation to be vol
untary, but such incorporation
will not exempt corporations from
prosecution for violations of the
anti trust laws.
Commerce Law Changes.
The presidents recommendations
hr changes in the interstate COM
herce laws include:
A court Of commerce to deter
mine appeals from the commission
only, appeal from this court lying
in the United States supreme
court.
Prosecution In cases In the
courts transferred from the COM
mission to the department. of
Justice.
Rate pooling to be allowed un-
der supervision Of the commission.
The commission to be empower
ed to pass upon freight classified
tlona and hold up new rates or
cIasslficatfons by railroads until
The reasonabIeness Is lnvesti-
gated.
Shippers to have a choice Of
routes on through freight.
Both Republicans and Democrats
followed the reading closely. Repre-
sentative. Townsend of Michigan. who
was among the most attentive listen
ers, was understood to have in his pos
session the administration bill cover
ing the message recommendations
The measure will be introduced Mon
day next. When the reading was con
Guided the message was referred to
The appropriation committee.
Text Of the Message.
Washington, D. c., Jan. 7.-Follow
Ing are given the essential features
of the presidents special message or
the interstate commerce and anti
trust laws, submitted in both houses
of congress today:
TO the Senate and House of Represen
tatIves:
I withheld from my annual message
p discussion OF needed legislation un
der the authority which congress has
TO regulate commerce between thu
states and with foreign countries, anG
said that would bring this subjec
matter to your attention later in the