The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1914-02-14
CONGRESS HEARS
WILSON s MESSAGE
WOULD BAR CONCERNS BEING
INTERESTED IN BUSINESS
OF COMPETITORS.
DETAILS LEFT TO LAWMAKERS
Executive Personally Outlines His
Trust Policy at Joint Session
Tuesday-Favors Public Hear.
ines for Proposed Bills

Washington.-President Wilson in
his message on the trust question, ad-
dressed personally TO joint session
of congress, in part said
Gentlemen OF the Congress. In my
report On the State Of the Union,
which had the privilege Of reading
to you on the I'd Of December last
| ventured TO reserve for discussion
at later date the subject Of add
tional legislation regarding the very
graphical and intricate matter Of
trusts and monopolies. The time now
seems opportune 70 turn TO that great
question; not only because the cur
rency legislation which absorbed your
attention and due attention Of the
country In December Is now disposed
OF, but also because opinion seems to
be clearing about US with singular "a.
pidity In this other great field Of ac-
ton. In the matter OF the currency
II cleared suddenly and very happily
after the much-debated act was
passed; in respect to the monopolies
which have multiplied about Is, and
in regard TO the various means by
which they have been organized and
maintained, II seems TO be coming to
a clear and all but universal agree
ment In anticipation Of our action, as
II by way OF preparation, making the
way easier 10 see and easier 10 set
ont upon with confidence and without
confusion Of counsel
Legislation has It's atmosphere Ike
everything else, and the atmosphere
OF accommodation and mutual under.
standing which we now breathe with
80 much refreshment Is a matter OF
sincere congratulations II ought to
make our task very much less dlffi.
cult and embarrassing than II would
have been had we been Obliged 10 con.
tlnue to act amidst the atmosphere OF
suspicion and antagonism which has
80 long made Il impossible 10 ap.
proach such question with dispasson.
ate fairness. Constructive legislation,
when successful Is always tho en-.
bodment Of convincing experience
and OF the mature public opinion
which finally springs out OF that et.
perIence Legislation is a business
OF Interpretation, not Of originator;
and Il n now plain what the opinion
Is to which we must give effect IN
this matter II Ia not recent or hasty
opinion. Il springs out OF the expert.
once OF whole generation. II has
clarified Itself by long contest, and
those who for a long time combatted
with II and sought 70 change II are
nov frankly and honorably Yielding
10 II and seeking 10 conform their
actions 10 H."
The president leaves to congress
the task Of framing tho detailed rene,
dies Besides the provision for an
interstate trade commission, the pro
hibltlon Of iHterlooklng diroctorates
and reduction Of tho "debalable area"
Of the Sherman law, three hitherto
unannouneed features OF the presl.
dents plan arc;
l. Tho prohibition Of holding com,
panIos Corporations would BE- forbid,
den 10 own or hold shares or b. IN,
terested IN the business Of actual com,
petltors or oognato concerns; and tho
acquisition Of stock or interests IN
noncompetltlyo concerns would bo
possible only with tho consent Of tho
interstate commerce commission or
the proposed interstate trade commits,
sion,
2. Empowering the interstate com.
meroo commission TO regulate and
supervise the issuance Of aoourltlea
by the railroads 30 that tho public
would exercise, through tho commits
sion, certain control over the future
uses to which tho money obtained
from The issue Of stooks or honda
would be put.
3, Wherever NJ tho instance Of tho
government, either IN civil or Grim,
inal proceedings. tho courts have rem,
dered Judgment on the uilawiulhess
OF any combination. individuals or
concerns agrrleyod though tho com
binauon would have tho benefit Of
such adjudication, and not BE- 70,
duircd in their suits 10 prove again
the lllegalily Of the combination.