The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-01-15
READ MESSAGE
TO COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT GOES OVER ANTI
TRUST LEGISLATION
WITH SENATORS.
Did Not Complete Discussion and
Will Consider Further-Bills
To Be Framed.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 14.-President
Wilson took into his confidence today
on the subject OF antitrust reform
the Democratic members OF the Sen
ste committee on interstate commerce
ana subcommittee of the House
judiciary committee. With these com
mittees which will be in charge OF
antitrust legislation, the President
spent several hours. reading his forth
coming message and pointing out the
general lines along which he believes
trust legislation should be framed.
From the conferences, the following
program was assured:
Prohibition of interlocking director
ates in banks. trust companies and
allied industrial corporations
Elimination of uncertainty as to
What constitutes a restraint of trade
under the Sherman law through spe-
cine definition CO monopolies and
trusts. so that there can he no "reas-
enable restraint OF trade.
-, Inc removal OF all possibility OF
immunity baths for offending cor.
porations or individuals.
establishment OF an Interstate
trade commission which would take
over over the bureau Of corporations.
serve as an auxiliary to the court :
ana department OF justice and act as
the business world could direct in.
quiries, but which would have no
power OF granting immunity or OF
regulation.
Provision in every case for penal.
ties based on individual responsibil.
ity and personal guilt.
The conferences were devoted
largely to generalities. The presi-
dent did most of the talking. with
occasional interruptions from his Wis
itors. Details were left to the com.
mlttee themselves to work out In Co
operation with the president. the de-
partment OF justice and the depart.
ment OF commerce. The president
impressed on the conferees his de-
sire that the task be approached I'm a
friendly rather than a hostile spirit
toward the business world ana ex.
pressed hope for a common agree
nent not only among members of the
TWO committees. but the leaders in
congress generally who have been
active IN pressing antitrust measures
, TO Have More Conferences.
-hthough senators and members OF
the house would not discuss the de-
tails OF the message, there was a
general expression OF approval % its
contents.
We just had discussion OF the
general subject with the president. d"
said Chairman Clayton OF the house
| committee. He read us his message
| and We entered into discussion
afterwards of the problem OF inter
locking directorates We did not
ences soon"
Asked II the house subcommittee
outlined to the president some OF the
bills 1t had already framed. Mr.. Clay
ton replied:
I'VE did not come to give the Pres
ldent our ideas, but TO get his This
was the chief object OF the confer
ence"
Mr.. Clayton and members OF the
: committee said they we're in accord
/ with the Presidents views.
/ Earlier In the day similar expres-
slOns came from Chairman Newlands
and members Of the Senate interstate
commerce committee. Some of them
said the Presidents ideas struck at
the root OF existing evils urging leg
isIatlon tbat would GOl be destructive
but tend rather 10 upbuild business.
Inc conferences did not develop
whether there would be two or more
bills. but the President Indicated his
i desire that the subject should be
/ promptly. though carefully considered
ana dispoied OF II possible by the
/ middle of June.
Bills viii BE Framed.
The days Developments made ID
certain that the tentative bills alread,
I prepared by the trust sub.commiftoe
oI lhe mousse judiciary committee
would be framed, particularly 10 in.
I clude for an interstate trade commits
/ sion. which the subcommittee had
. not embodied in IT, plan.
Both committees have practically do
termined to go ahead with tho work
OF drafting the bills. eiImiratinr
. hearings, as they consider enough i'm
formation on The subject already Is
at their disposal
| Concerning rho proposed interstate.
. fadc C0mmise ION the opinion wna Ok.
pressed hy scvcrlf senator's ami rarrs-
FnutafiNca that it would Doe created H..r
With limited powers.
There are pending boz congress several
1ilr Lrpt tidiug fnr a TRADE commission.
HI "f iufm Wnuid provide fur H NON.
PARTISAN board 90 hr appointed I. fI..
pfsalIsrt with lc tnureuf 1f Ho ..r.
Ii'. Ihc present idea .e that boarf OBJ
fnif EIuf While serving Ha nu 4rfH d..
tho courts. HIen should He Hr 300 Df f..
'er1l ltmeut OF Justice ami iu rl nIrrf.a
conflict with the Jurisdiction 0f tI4f f.-
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