The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-22
TRUST BILLS May
GO TO HOUSE TO-DAY
Committee Already at Work on
Administrations New Cor
pOratiOn Laws.
PROMPT ACTION ASST RED
Rural Credit System Also to BE
Submittcd-ScssiOn May
End June I.
PROMPT ACTION ASSURED

proposing supplemental laws regulating
the operations of corporations as out
lined in the address delivered TO Congress
yesterday by President Wilson will be
embraced In a series Of four or Ave bills
that will be introduced in the House to-
morrow or Friday.
1t already Is apparent that Congress
will act expeditiously in the Administra-
tons antitrust programme. in accord
ance with the wishes OF President Will
son. Present Indications are that the
work Of this session of Congress will be-
limited to the antitrust bills, n bill Great
Ing system OF rural credits and the
routine supply measures. II Is the wish
OF the President and other party leaders
that the session shall come to an end on
or about June /.
Work has already been begun by the
appropriate House committee on the Adj
ministration antitrust bills. Unless there
In a change OF programme the Tnterstate
Commerce Committee, of which Represent
alive Adamson of Georgia is chairman,
will handle the bill proposing the crea-
ton of an interstate trade commission and
the bill authorizing the Interstate Com
merce Commission to supervise the issu-
| ance of railway securities.
Newlands Confers with Wilson.
President Wilson discussed the trust
question with a number OF callers at the
White House to-day. Senator Newlands
of Nevada, who will handle the trust
measures in the Senate. conferred Mt length
on the subject with the President.
The President had a long conference to-
night with Chairman Adamson and other
members OF the House Interstate Com
merce Committee Mr.. Adamson and his
associates were upset by reports that de-
! spite the action of the House yesterday
| the President dneired that nil Of ha mt
| trust bills should be sent to tho Interstate
committee. OF which Representative Clay
ton OF Alabama IS chairman. President
Wilson made 1t clear to his visitors that
ne did not purpose to interfere with the
| work of Congress In this regard.
Chairman Adamson asked the President
| II II would he satisfactory 10 him II the
Interstate Commerce Committee put ahead
the railway capitalization bill and the bill
creating trade commission. Mr.. Wilson
replied IN the affirmative.
The Interstate committee Is willing
10 let the Adamson committee frame the
trade commission bill. but Chairman Clay
| ton thinks that all other features OF the
antitrust programme should be referred
| to his committee. There r. likely to BE- a
| lively row over this question of jurtsdic-
ton. but the division of work Is likely
to be made as above indicated.
Interstate Committee's Bills.
The Interstate committee will frame
1 bills as follows:
| n bill clearly defining phrases In the
| existing statute regarding which there
have been controversies and complicated
! decisions by the higher courts. This bill
! will nix the meaning Of what constitutes
| competitive conditions in industry. II
| will also specify what character OF trade
agreements constitute restraint Of trade
and define specifically the various possible
components OF conspiracy to defeat the
operation of the Sherman antitrust Law.
| bill forb,dding the further continu-
| ance OF interlocking drectoratee In po-
tentially competing corporations
| Another bill will make 'Euilt PERSONAL
| to violators OF the antitrust laws extend
the 1T tutes Of limitation and permit
ting individuals to intervene in govern
| ment suits.
Tho two other bills which will be
handled by the Interstate Commerce Com
mittes viii create an interstate trade
commission and clothe the Interstate
Commerce Commission with authority to
supervise railway capitalizationr
Although there Ia general disposition
to expedite action on the antitrust bills
hearings will be held before committees
for the benefit OF all concerned.
Party Caucus Uncertais.
There 10 much doubt in the minds OF
| peTOCThtlC Itauefs IN congress Al 10 tne
necessity for a party caucus on the Pres
ident's antitrust programme. The rea-
sons suggested for n caucus are that II
would be well for the party to present a
solid front in support OF the President'i
measure. but II has been suggested by
those opposed TO caucus that II would
serve no useful purpose 10 hold such a
gathering.
| 1t is pointed out that the Republican.
very largely favor majority Of the sug.
gestions OF the President. The Progress
stves in the House number but nineteen
Their views. although somewhat more
radical than those expressed by the Pres
ident, do not strike a discord with III.
general sentiment as expressed In hi'
address.
Representative Underwood held a con
ference with President Wilson to-day re.
garding the programme of which th'
trust problem is the most important fac
tor. Following the conference Mr.. Under
wood said
II was glad 10 be able to report TO tn,
President that a strong disposition exist,
on the part Of all Congressman to finish
our work and adjourn by June l. Sent
inent Is so uniform in favor Of early ad
Journment that ! believe everybody will
work towa IN. luta I rpcpftop