The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-23
Measure to Create Inter
state Trade Commis-
sion introduced.
WOULD BE BODY
OF FIVE MEMBERS
Most Important Functions to AS
sist Business and Government
in Preventing Violation Of
Sherman Act-Comnis-
sioner Davies Is to Be
First Chairman.

Washington, January 22-Presidcnt
Wilson's message to Congress- suggest
ing antitrust legislation supplemental
to the Sherman law bore it's first fruit
to day, when bill to create an inter-
state trade commission was introduced
I'm the House. After conference be-
tween Attorncy-General McReynolds.
Senator Newlands. of the Interstate
Commerce Committee; Representative
Clayton, chairman, and other members
of the judiciary subcommittee, Mr..
Clayton submitted the measure. 1t was
referred 10 the Interstate and Foreign
Commerce Committee. An effort by
Senator Newlands to introduce the bill
simultaneously in the Senate failed
owing to debate on the Alaska railroad
bill.
President Wilson expects action by
Congress during the present session on
all bills being prepared by congress
sional committees to deal with the
trust question. He told callers to-day
that he regarded the group of bills
as reasonably homogeneous, and that he
expected reasonably prompt action.
Not Included In Platform.
While the President recommended in
his message supervision by the Inter
state Commerce Commission OF the Is
suance of railroad securities. he took
occasion to-day to emphasize that this
did not mean necessarily that past is
sues would be inquired into or affect
cd by the present legislation. Nor did
the President consider that the regu-
lation of railway securities has any
thing to do with regulating stock eX-
changes Leg gislation on this subject,
he explained, was not recommended I'm
the Democratic platform, and he did
not feel that he should recommend any
n fnu nt tpn l.aR In, t1o ,lot f1r
The commission proposed by the bill
introduced to-day would absorb the
Bureau OF Corporations. and consist
OF five members, salaried at $4,000. 1T
would have powers of inanisition over
all corporations, save common car
rieFs. which are regulated by the In
tesstate Commerce Commission. It's
most important functions would be to
assist business and the government in
preventing violations of the Sherman
act. and to aid the Attorney General
in terminating alleged unlawful con-
ditions by agreements
Duties OF Commixsion.
The bill prescribcs that the com
mission shall. upon the request of the
AttorneyGeneral or any corporation
that may be affected, or upon its own
initiative, investigate for the purpose
OF ascertaining whether there is any
thing which violates the Sherman act.
In case violation is found to exist, the
| bili provides that the commission shall
report to the Attorney General "in
order that said corporation may there
after comply with the terms of said
act"
immunity is granted to individuals
VINO might testify In inquiries con-
Quoted by the commission, except in
case of perjury. There is no immunity
to corporations
SION shall require all corporations en-
gagged in interstate and foreign bust
ness, except common carriers, from
time to time 10 furnish to the com
mission records of their organization,
business and financial condition. COR
quot. management and relation TO
other companies "at such time, to such
"esree ana extent. and in such form,
as may be prescribed by the commits
sion. The bill directs that the com
mission shall have complete access to
All records of any of the executive or
other committees of corporations
Powers to Enforce Orders.
The District Courts of the United
states. upon the commissions appIica-
llon' alleging failure of witnesses to
respond to subpoenas or to comply
with any commission order for fur.
nisnins OF information. Will have turis
uiction to issue a writ of mandamus
10 enforce the commissions orders and
TO punish disobedience
10 aid the equity courts, the bill pro-
vides as follows: -
an suits OF equity brought by or
under the direction OF the Attorney
General rs provided in the act of ,Iuiv
ie9o the sherman law), the court, in
which the suit is pending, may at anv
stage OF the litigation. at it's discre-
| tion' refer to the commission any as
pect of the litigation or proposed de-
cree. whereupon the commission shall
investigate the question or questions
| referred to with all the powers of in
restigation hereinbefore bestowed on
the commission, and shall report lie
1 nndings to the court, with a COPY Of
the evidence upon which said findings
or recommendation are based Said
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