Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-25
TRUST PROGRAM
To WAIT in TIL
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.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-While
President Wilson delivered his mes
sage outlining his views on anti trust
legislation to Congress Tuesday, none
of the bills carrying out his reforms
will be launched on the floor of the
House until the appropriation bills
and certain other measures have been
passed The leaders have arranged
to 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 Anti Trust law to clear up it's
'debatable area" the prohibition of
interlocking drectorates; the creation
of an interstate trade commission;
the prohibition of holding companies;
the supervision by the Interstate
Commerce Commission of the issu-
ance of railroad securities; a law thai
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 a number of busl-
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 Newlands, chairman of the
| 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
PRODUCED 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 Newlandss bill provides
| for a 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 Blu
reau 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
err to investigate upon complaint any
corporation charged with violation
| of the Sherman Trust law.