Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1914-04-23
HOUSE READY TO CONSIDER
WILSON'S CONSTITUTION
OF PEACE
QUICK ACTION is PROMISED
Democrats to Pass Bill Exempting La
Dor Unions and Farmers OrganI-
cations From Prosecution In
der Sherman Law.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.


congress on all the big business"
bills commended to the consideration
OF the law makers by President Will
son. 1t row can be taken for grant
cd, however, that no drastic rule for
limiting debate to a few hours will be
put into force by the house leaders.
There was too much opposition to the
rule cutting of debate on the Ques-
tion OF the repeal of the tolls exemp-
ton act to make II seem wise to en-
act, at any rate Immediately, another
rule of the same kind.
or course this does not mean the
administration antitrust measures
will be debated in the house of rep
resentatives for any great length of
time. An agreement will be reached
that debate shall close at cersGi"
time and the certain time" Will be
set forward far enough so that no
charge of an attempt to gag the OPP
posing members can stand.
And so 1t now is that the house,
having finished with the repeal mat
ter which some persons have called
Woodrow Wilson's declaration of
war, will take up the consideration Of
his Constitution of Peace" a name
which the president attached to the
plan of procedure for the regulation of
big business without smashing any
commercial industry.
Another Party Clash Coming.
Before this something has been
said about one piece OF legislation
which the majortties in house and SEN
ate are going to insist upon enacting
and to which the president will object
strongly. It 10 known today that the
majority party men are determined to
! exempt labor unions and certain
| forms OF farmers organizations from
| prosecution under the Sherman law.
The president Is opposed to this ex-
emption. 1t is not believed, apparently.
that any such turmoil will grow out
OF the next difference of opinion be-
tween congress and the White House
as that which made itself riotously
apparent In connection with the re-
peal bill. but seemingly there is 60
ing to be trouble nevertheless.
Nothing has happened recently as
far as one can determine to weaken
in the least the initial determination
of the majority law makers to brave
the presidents opposition In this mat
ter. II was the original intention "a
include the exemption provision in
one OF the main antitrust measures
but II now seems TO be the mind OF
the majority to make 1t u bill by II
self, so that II Mr.. Wilson vetoes II
he will veto 1t alone and thus will moi
be compelled to put other measures
out of the running when entering his
final objection.
Members of the parties in opposi
ton to the Democrats in the house
and It is said a few Democrats with
them, believe that II bill exemptinl
labor unions and organizations o
farmers from prosecution under tn,
trust act is passed, the action will re
suit In court proceedings which ma!
rob the Sherman law of its power I,
prevent combinations In restraint o
trade. Glass legislation" for so thu
opponents OF the proposed exemption
law call It, will be used It is said b,
, business combinations which may b.
proceeded against by the government
as the basis for a plea of unconstitu
tionality of the law in general.
There seems to be a fear among tn
lawyers in the house and senate tina
any kind OF an exemption, whether
is made a special bill or part OF on
of the main antitrust bills, actuall
? can be used as a means to proven
successful prosecution against bus
ness combinations which are accuse
of restraining trade.
Delay In Commerce Rulings.
Congress is being blamed by part O
the press of the country, by bushes
, men, whether OF not connected wit
the carrier corporations, for the cor
|. gested condition of matters In the oil
fee OF the interstate commerce con
mission. Perhaps II "congested" sul
gests confusion 1t is not the RICH
:. word to use for the commission ha
a its work well in order, the trouble bC
Ing that there IL so much work for tn
commissioners today that decision
are being delayed and the petitioner
and liigants are complaining.
In discussing this question of tn
, proper place to lay the blame for tn
: overworking Of the commission thi
has been said:
"We cannot altogether blamo tn
interstate commerce commission fo
the delay in deciding the great freigt
rate case now before the tribunal. Tn
4 responsibility for this delay rest
r rather upon the congress Of tn
!, United States which has loaded upo
:. the shoulders OF the commission NOR
:. work than II can perform. Within r.
cent years It has been the custom {
congress, and particularly the preser
congress, to burden the calendar {
q the commission with requests for II
= formation, peremptory demands Il
lou Na.a.N N...-