Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-25
TRUST PROGRAM
To WAIT UNTIL
WAY IS CLEAR
Appropriations To Be Voted on
Before House Takes Up
Program.
SUGGESTIONS BE WELCOMED
Wilson's Message Emphasizes
Necessity for a Friendly
Spirit.
SUGGESTIONS BE WELCOMED

WASHINGTON, Jan. s4-While
President Wilson delivered his mes
sage outlining his views on antitrust
legislation to Congress Tuesday, none
Of the bills carrying out his reforms
will be launched on the floor Of the
and certain other measures have been
passed. The leaders have arranged
10 rush these routine bills through
as rapidly as possible, however, so
the way may be clear to pass the
antitrust bills early in the spring.
The Presidents program includes
supplemental legislation to the Sher-
man Antitrust law to clear up It's
"debatable area; the prohibition of
interlocking directorates; the creation
of an interstate trade commission;
the prohibition of holding companies;
the supervision by the Interstate
Commerce Commission of the issu-
snce of railroad securities; a law that
person or corporation injured
through an alleged unlawful combi-
nation should not be required to prove
the illegality of the combination if
this has already been established in
suits by the Government, and provis-
ion for the punishment of Individual
offenders.
In all the legislation planned by the
Administration it is proposed to in
Clude penalties not only for the per-
sons at the head of corporations prac-
ticing unlawful acts, but for those in
dividuals responsible for the direction
of unlawful restraints on trade.
To Reassure Business Men.
The President intends to emphasize
the necessity for a friendly spirit in
Congress in approaching the task. He
wishes the business men of the coun-
try to be assured of the Administra-
tons intention to welcome suggestion
and common counsel and to afford
those affected by the proposed legis-
latin ample time to adjust themselves
to new laws or conditions.
In line with this attitude, the Presi-
dent favors public hearings on the
Administration bills when they are
prepared. Chairman Clayton of the
House Judiciary Committee, has ar
ranged to invite number of bust
ness men, economists and trade spe-
cialists to criticise the bills and offer
any suggestions that might improve
them when the committee begins
hearings on the bills.
senator N6WL&llQS, CHAIRMAN OIL Ill6
Senate Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce, announced to-day
that his committee will take up a
number of trust bills Immediately af-
ter the President delivers his message.
Enough to Start On.
There are enough bills already in
troduced to enable us to begin work
at once" said Senator NeWlands. MY
bill to create an interstate trade COM
mission will be one of the measures
considered by the Senate commit
tee"
Senator Newlands's bill provides
for commission of three members,
of whom not more than two shall
belong to the same political party
The commission is to be appointed by
the President and approved by the
Senate. Senator Newlands would
merge with the commission the Bu
leau of Corporations. The commits
sion would have access to "all rec
ords, accounts, minutes, books and
papers of corporations, including the
records of any of their executive or
other committees" The information
obtained about corporations shall be
public records, and the commission
shall from time to time make public
sary." The trade commission, under
such information in such form and to
such extent as it may deem necess-
Mr.. Newlands' bill, would have pow
ef to investigate upon complaint any
corporation charged with violation
OF the Sherman Antitrust law