Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-04-22
NOW BIG BUSINESS
HOUSE READY TO CONSIDER
WILSON'S CONSTITUTION
or PEACE"
QUICK ACTION is PROMISED
Democrats to Pass Bill Exemptlna la
Dor Unions and Farmers oraanl-
cations From Prosecution Un-
der Sherman Law.
By GEORGE CLINTON.

BY GEORGE CLINTON.
Washington.-Quick action is prom
ised by the Democratic majority in
congress on all the big business"
bills commended TO the consideration
of the law makers by President Will
son. II now can be taken for grant
ed, 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-
ton of the repeal of the tolls exemp-
ton act to make it seem wise to en-
act, at any rate Immediately. another
rule of the same kind.
OF course this does not mean the
administrators 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 a certain
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 it now is that the house,
having anished 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" name
which the president attached to the
plan of procedure for thu 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 majorities in house and SEN
ate are going to insist upon enacting
and to which the president will object
strongly. 1t is 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. 1t was the original intention to
include the exemption provision in
one of the main antitrust measures,
but 1t now seems to be the mind of
the majority to make 1t bill by it.
self, so that If Mr.. Wilson vetoes it
he will veto it alone and thus will not
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 If bill exempting
labor unions and organizations of
farmers from prosecution under the
trust act is passed, the action will re-
suit In court proceedings which may
rob the Sherman law of its power to
prevent combinations in restraint of
trade. Glass legislation" for so the
opponents of the proposed exemption
law call it, will be used 1t is said by
business combinations which may be
proceeded against by the government,
as the basis for plea of unconstitu-
tionality of the law in general.
There seems to be fear among the
lawyers in the house and senate that
any kind of an exemption, whether it
is made a special bill or part of one
of the main antitrust bills, actua ly
can be used as a means to prevent
successful prosecution against cusi-
ness combinations which are accused
of restraining trade.
Delay in Commerce Rulings.
Congress is being blamed by part of
the press of the country, by business
men, whether or not connected with
the carrier corporations, for the con-
gested condition of matters in the Of
fee of the interstate commerce com
mission. Perhaps If "congested" sug-
gests confusion it is not the right
word to use, for the commission has
its work well in order, the trouble be-
ing that there is so much work for the
commissioners today that decisions
are being delayed and the petitioners
and litigants are complaining.
In discussing this question of the
proper place to lay the blame for the
oyerworking of the commission this
has been said:
We cannot altogether blame the
interstate commerce commission for
the delay in deciding the great freight