Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-08
TRUST LEGISLATION
PRACTICALLY OVER
President Wilson Gives Notice
to Business World of Com
pIeted Program.
FEATURES HIS ADDRESS
TO HOUSES OF CONGRESS
Also Declares There Has Not Been
and Will Not Be Neglect Of
National Defense.

NdLlOlld1 OC1CuSC.
President Wilson, in his annual ad-
dress to Congress in joint session to-
day, served notice to the business world
that the legislative program Of his ad-
ministration with relation to business
regulation practically had been COM
pleted.
Departing from his prepared mes
sage. in which he discussed nationai
defense, economy of expenditures and
pleaded for conservation legislation,
| the President declared that the admin
istration program for trust regulation
and business betterment is virtually
complete and that it had resulted In
the erection of a clear road for busi-
ness to travel to "unclouded success.
Honest business men. he said. need
fear nothing by treading the road out
lineC in the trust bills and currency
legislation enacted during his admin
istration.
While the President did not dwell long
on the subject, he was emphatic in his
utterances regarding the legislative busi-
ness situation, and. following the mes
sage, comment among members generally
was that he had intended to serve notice
that business would not be disturbed by
further important legislation.
Answers Critics Of National Defense.
President Wilson gave his answer to
those who contend the United States
is unprepared for national defense. in
reading his prepared address.
Let there be no misconception," he
said THE country has been misin-
formed. We have not been negligent
of national defense. We are not un-
mindful Of the great responsibility rest
ing upon us. We shall learn and prof1t
by the lesson of every experience and
every new circumstance. and what is
needed will be adequately done"
Assembled in joint session In the
hall of the House, senators and repre-
sentatives heard the President. read
e ng his aasR eune in be
tion legislative program and voice a
fervent hope that the United States
might be instrumental in bringing
peace to Europe.
The legislative program included
passage of the conservation bills, the
bills for ultimate independence of the
Philippines, ratification of the London
convention for safety at sea. govern
the perilous waters of the Alaskan
coast and measures for economy in all
branches of the government.
Galleries Were Packed.
Galleries packed to the doors, and
senators and representatives crowded
upon the floor of the hail OF the
House, awaited the arrival of the
President Seven members of the cabi-
net had seats just before the Speakers
desk. including Secretary Bryan. who
deserted his usual place in the diplo-
matte gallery.
The President entered the chamber
exactly at 1890 o'clock, greeted by ap-
plause and cheers as he shook hands
with the Speaker and the Vice Presi-
dent. A moment later he began read
ing his address.
The President began reading slowly
and deliberately. and his voice was a
trife husky. He was first interrupted
when he asserted that I'VE have stunt
ed and hindered the growth of our mer-
chant marine" A scattered outburst of
applause greeted. the statement.
After speaking of the notable rec
ord" of legislation of the administra-
ton, the President then departed from
that the program of the administration
with regard to legislation affecting
business "is now virtually complete
It had been put forth, by Congress, the
as a hope, and needs no conjecture as
to what was intended.
The road for business to travel, the
President declared, was Clear and
firm" road which business could
travel without fear. "a road to un-
clouded success"
"In it," thhe President declared.
every honest man may walk with
confidence"
Another burst of handclapping greet
ed the Presidents statement that the
bill for the building of government
shipping lines to South and Central
America was imperative.
Democrats Applaud.
The democratic side of the chamber
applauded loudly and at length when
the President in discussing national
defense, declared that the country
never would be ready, in time Of
peace, "to put in the field nation of
men trained to arms" Another out
burst greeted his declaration against
compulsory military service.
I'VE are the champions of peace and
Of concord" said the President. and
again the democratic side applauded.
Handclapping frequently interrupted
the Presidents argument that the
United States should preserve its repu-
tation as a peace-loving nation. and his
conclusion that we shall never have
a large standing army.
Urges Citizenry Soldiery.
Applause from both sides of the
chamber greeted President Wilson's
plan jor national defense, a "citizenry
trained and accustomed to arms" His
remarks on this subject frequently were
| interrupted.
When the President declared that
I'VE shall not change our attitude to-