The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-12
|EDERAL TRADE
|bOARO To BUILD
/ GOOD BUSINESS
.wLANDs BILL AND CONVICTION
PROVIDE FOR Ma
TToNAL COMMISSION TO
FOSTER COMMERCE..

Washington. July 11.--Purpose OF a
heyal trada ommission as proposed
the Newlands bill now before the
nate and the Covington bill which
pissed the house, Is to help bus
sss and not to hinder 1t as is the
neral impression. While the public
itude toward monopolies and other
ms of big business now regarded as
htrary to public interest has been
1t of designed to regulate. restrict
control business practises. the
esent administration presents as a
1T of its antitrust program n meas
designed primarily to promote
de.
bne,m EN- Der OF congress who has had
CHI to do with the framing of the
de commission bill distinguishes ~
m the other trust measures by term
It constructive instead of destruc-
b; intended to encourage and foster
Id business rather than to destroy
business, though the latter function
Is included In the powers dele
ted to the commission. Broadly
aking. the functions of the trade
omission are threefoid, as seen by
member:
To help the courts interpret laws
ch relate to interstate trade, and
assist the Encouragement in just
lication of such laws,
To help congress prepare Just
Ae laws.
To protect and encourage Iegiti-
a business,
- Interpretation OF Law.
he courts have had difficulty inter
EtnE the Sherman law and other sta
y ~k, lot toe
ION being that they are called upon
pass upon technical questions OF
meroe and industry in which they
uriatE have had no practical ex-
ence. Upon the courts = placed the
len oftdefining' unfair competition
ask which they who have slight
wledgd OF trade practices md any
n but simple. In many instances
Fes whoAhave found themselves con-
ted by cases. involving Sherman
trust law violations have found IL
ssary.to study trade economics and
onsuit with commercial specialists
law has developed class of com
eiaI lawyers who specialize in cases
his kind.
ee trade commission Is designed to
we the courts OF much OF this tech
Awork. Final decision OF antitrust
su emainsewith the courts. bur most
hem will be settled by the trade
IN hssfon and In those that are ap-
ed to the courts the issues will
heen well defined and the. com
ion: - decisions will be prtma facie
enoe- In any event'the courts will
greatly relieved.
VIII AidsConxr~~..
nxress VIII be Substantially as
d by the commission. Invegtiga.
are expected TO develop extensive
NATION as to trade practices and
causes Of the Inequalities In bus
which IL is sought TO remedy.
commission is specifically directed
he bill to recommend to congress
time to time additional iegisla-
seeking to put business on a high
isis. In It's active study of trade
ltions the commission will be in
ion 60 recommend to congress
what should be enacted and what
ID not be enacted to protect
hst-immature or Ill advised legts-
b. Lack OF information is diff
now embarrassing congress I'm
ing trust bills.
starHiing between business and
courts the trade commission will
rm a service to general business
pr to That performed for the rail
by thesinterstate commerce com
on. In many instances Il viii
them out OF court. II can keep
st. of the timessand keep business
ed "a to what practices ara re-
I'd as fair and what are not, while |
Fourts cannot express an opinion
a formal test case is presented in
egular order.
least some of the authors Of this
1re declare the time will come
business corporations will regard 7
trade commission. composed OF
lcal business men. dealing with (
ess men. az good friend OF
ess. They intend that II shall |
help to all concerned and con |
ly expect that their anticipations /
pesrealized.