The Topeka state journal., 1914-01-19
HIS TRUST POLICY.

the railroad, conditions have not been
so satisfactory. but he made 1t clear
Incidentally today that he had not ex-
pressed any opinion. as hadrbeen re-
freight rates. The president let 1t be
known that while he held distinct
views on the question he did not feel
that he could express them while the
subject was being determined by q
semi judicial body.
With reference to the tariff the
presidents letters lead him to believe
that business actually has been stim-
ulated by it and that the average
than formerly.
Message Ii Finished.
.washington. Jan. 10.-President Will
son has put the finishing touches ON
the message dealing with antitrust re-
form which he will read to q Joint Ses-
sion Of congress tomorrow.
The message will be the opening ut
terance by the administration ON the
scope Of legislation which It believes
should be enacted promptly. not only
to correct the evils in modern business.
but to construct q system OF govern
ment assistance that would stimulate
business enterprise and development.
The president, In pointing the way to
legislation on specific phases of the
trust question, intends to emphasize
the necessity for a friendly spirit In
congress in approaching the task. He
wishes business men Of the country to
be assured of the administrations In
common counsel. and to afford those
affected by the proposed legislation
ample time to adjust themselves to
new laws or conditions.
In line with this attitude the presi-
dent favors public hearings on the adj
v1fn a9<x wi, fhAv
pared. He opposed hearings ON the
tariff and the currency measures, ~ he
believed congress and the country had
made mp their minds ON the details ana
that hearings meant unnecessary delay.
Free criticism and expression OF Opin-
ion on the trust program by all inter-
ests concerned IL desired by Mr.. WILL
son and he thinks the hearings. instead
Of delaying. win facilitate the passase
Of the bills.
The Points Covered.
Summed up the administration pro-
session OF congress. covers the follow
ing points: .
man antitrust law: President Wilson.
members OF his cabinet. and many lead
ers In congress are agreed that the
SheEman law itself should not be al
tered q single sy11Able. To do 20. they
held, might mean impairing the USE
fulnes8 OF the act aid cast doubt upon
the meaning Of the dectsions hitherto
rendered ON it by the courts.' without
amending the Sherman law, certain ad-
ditions are intended in no way impair
ing the force of the act, yet clarifying
It by enumerating In separate laws
those practices which have come to be
known a. wrong. such as the making
Of secret written or oral agreements or
understandings looking to discrimina-
lions IN credit, the fixing Of prices, un-
derselling and other means Of sitting
competition.
The prohibition Of interlocking di-
rectorafes: It II intended mot only to
prevent the multiple control Of COR
porAtions but the exercise, through
'sdummy'' directors, Of m identity Of
interest by = corporation or corpora
tions In concerns doing . cognate
busineaa Legislation ~ well ~ gov
ernment bureaus IL expected to cor
rect theoe abuses.
The creation Of an interstate trade
comminuion, merged With the buroau
Of corporations to furnish information
to the business world and ct tho same
time act As board Of consultation In
helping corporations to adjust them
selves to the mandntes Of the law: Il
would a1111t the courts In carrying ont
DEGREES o1 dissolution and would exoe-|
aloo no Quaae- e-3udicial- functtoma 1t|
Wou16s 0oWuvexs havo = cOurtsD DoWor