The Sentinel=record., 1914-01-20
CONGRESS TO MEET IN JOINT SESSION TUESDAY TO HEAR
 WILSON'S MESSAGE.
DISCUSS ALASKAN QUESTION
Many Items of Important Legislation Including the Antitrust Question, Is Discussed by Members of Both Branches.

Washington, Jan. 19~1tDemocratic members of the senate interstate commerce committee and the house judiciary subcommittee held a joint conference late today to discuss pro- posed antitrust laws on which PresI- dent Wilson will address congress to- morrow. The congress, it was said, was arranged in the interest of CO operation between the committees which will have charge of the trust legislation program to be framed fol lowing President Wilson's message. Senator Newlands and Representative Clayton headed the committee which met in Senator Newlands' office in the capital.
 It was determined that there should be several bills in addition to a meas ure that would create an interstate trade commission.
 The bill for the creation of the trade commission, it was said, would provide for a commission of five members to be appointed by the presi- dent The commission would have authority to conduct investigations in- to complaints, to aid the courts in the execution of decrees and vested with other powers of lending aid both to the government and business to keep business in the straight path and avert the necessity for prosecutions.
 Tie basis for the measure was the trade commission bill introduced last session by Senator Newlands. Many radical features of the Newlands bill, however. are said to he eliminated
 The measure also contemplates the absorption by the proposed commits sion of the bureau of corporations now branch of the department of commerce.
 Other bills were discussed, amons them measures to prohibit interlock ing directorates, the control of rail road securities and prohibition of holding companies It was the gen. eral opinion that no measures would be offered amending the terms of the sherman act as it stands but that all leeislation would be suppiemental.
 Senator Newlands said tonight that the committees discussed the ques- ton of hearings and of consultation with other members of congress out side the committees and that it was determined to widen the scope cf con sultation as the work progressed Eventually, ,after representatives Of all parties have been consulted, the bills may be made party measures No decision has been reached as to whether democratic caucus will be called to pass on the bills.
 Alaskan Railway.
 The bill proposing the building of government railway in Alaska en- countered its first vigorous opposition in the senate today when Senator Me Cumber attacked it as the first step toward the realm of paternalistc and socialstic government until the North Dakota senator spoke, Sena- tor Williams was the only member who had directly stated his purpose of opposing the measure on which there is an agreement for final vote | Thursday
 Amendments adopted today by the oomnittee on territories would pro vide for the taking over by the gov ernment of any existing lines neces- sary by purchase or condemnation An amendment providing for a govern ment steamship line from the coast terminal of the road to ports on the Pacific coast was rejected
 Senator McCumber attacked the whole theory of government owner ship
 He said experience had shown that if cost the government twice as much as A private concern to operate any enterprise.
 Arguments presented for agricultu- raj development in Alaska, he de- clared. were without merit, the fact heinz that the great majority Of the nrodncts named in statistics came from districts accessible by sea or which it was not proposed to tap With the projected railroad
 During the discussion of Alaska coal resources senator Clark of wy