New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-07
ANTITRUST BILL
TO help BUSINESS
Committee Defends Meas
ure in Reporting 1t to
Congress.
LEADERS ARE EAGER
FOR EARLY DEBATE
Untermyer Praises Provisions.
but Suggests Several
Amendments.
From The Tribune Bureau

From The Tribune Bareaul
Washington, May 6.-With the reas-
surance that the bill is not designed to
destroy or hinder business but to help
business" the majority members of the
judiciary Committee formally reported to
the House to-day the administration anti
trust bill. The bill itself was made pub
lie last week.
Chairman Clayton, in presenting the
majority report said a special rule would
be sought for the early consideration or
the antitrust programme. Members OF
the Rules Committee are now considering
plan to report a blanket rule making
the bill privileged, with the measure TO
regulate railway stock and bond issues
and probably the Interstate trade commits
sion bill.
The majority report is an analysis OF
the judiciary Committee bill. section BY
section. The Democrats OF the committee
say they have endeavored TO follow out
the suggestions contained in the Presi-
dents trust message OF January -. 1917
Referring to the hearings subsequent to
the Introduction of the tentative bills, the
report recites:
THE atmosphere OF antagonism which
such legislation might ordinarily be ex-
pected to encounter has not always been
present and the entire question has con-
sequently been approached with dispas-
sionate fairness. There has been liberal
exchange OF views between the committee
and those who from business standpoint
must first adjust themselves TO new con-
ditions. and prudent. thoughtful. patriotic
men seem to he agreed that the Dill as
proposed will go far TO bring about bust
ness readjustment with a few as slight.
as easy and simple changes as the object
sought will admit Nothing essential has
been disturbed. nothing torn up by the
roots. no parts rent asunder which can
be left I'm wholesome combination.
Discusses Unfair Prices.
Taking up the bill by sections. the ma
jority report dwels especially upon the
provisions relating to unfair price dis
ordinations, the exclusive contract and
interlocking directorstes.
The exemption of labor, fraterna and
farmers associations with Legitimate OBJ
jects" Is also made the subject of detailed
discussion.
The report says that section {, relating
to exclusive contracts has been misnter-
preted
1T does not prohibit or forbid exclusive
agencies" says the report 1T prohibits
the tying contract made between the
manufacturer and the dealer by purchase
or lease. whereby the latter agrees as
condition Of his contract not to deal in
or use the commodity of the competitor
or the rival OF the seller or lessor"
The report cites az an Objectionable
class of contracts those exacted by the
United Shoe Machinery Company and the
General Film Company.
As TO interlockng directorates the re-
port says:
The idea that there are only few
men in any of our great corporations and
industries who are capable of handling
the affairs OF the same is contrary to the
spirit of our institutions. From an
economic point Of view. it is not possible
that one Individual, however capable, act
ing as a director in nifty corporations, can
render as efficient and valuable service in
directing the affairs of the several cor
porations under his contract as can fifty
capable men acting as single directors
and devoting their entire time TO directing
the affairs of one of such corporations"
Untermyer Before Committee.
Although approving of the Senate anti
trust bill as the best measure that has
been proposed AT the present session OF
Congress- Samuel Untermyer. of New
York. to-day suggested several amend
ments to the Senate Committee on Inter
state Commerce. He suggested that the
committee appeared too sensitive on the
question of protecting corporations from
individuals who were disposed to black
mail or harass them by fling suits
against them. He contended that individ
uals should have the right TO bring suit
against corporations and that the gov
crnment should be made codefendant
to insure just treatment for the corpora
tons.
Mr. Untermyers amendments were
based on his view that the bills restric-
ton should apply not only 10 incorpo-
rated organizations in commerce but 10
individual partnerships and to compare
lively Informal combinations tending to
restrain trade. He suggested that the
proposed trade commission be authorized
10 investigate relations Of corporations
&c individuals and partnerships in COM
merce. He also suggested that the COM
mttee should be allowed TO make recon-
mendations, as master in chsncery. in
private suits as well as in equity cases
brought by the Attorney General.