The Washington herald., 1914-05-03
ANTITRUST Bill !.
REACHES HOUSE.
Clayton. Measure Will Go to
Senate by May 9, Leaders
Predict.
MAIN GROUP AGGRESSIVE
Few Changes Made by Judiciary
Committee in Administration
Proposals.
MAIN GROUP AGGRESSIVE

AhC NAaJ lOl thC
istration's program Of antitrust legisla-
ton was reported today by the House
judiciary Committee. II Is the purpose
OF the House leaders to put the bill
through without delay. The administra-
ton is anxious that the Clayton bill.
which will be used as basis for lesisla-
ton further regulating the operations of
interstate corporations. shall BE trans
ferred to the Senate at the earliest prac-
ticable date
Charges are made by House leaders that
the antitrust bill introduced In the Sen
ate yesterday by Senator Newlands, of
Nevada, Is In large measure merely
copy Of the bill offered bv Representative
Clayton in behalf Of the Wilson admins
tration. House leaders say that the only
radical difference Is that the Senate bill
provides for the creation Of an inter-
state trade commission. whereas in the
Lower Branch such a commission is pro-
posed In a separate measure.
The Senate and House bills dffer in
their general provisions in detail to
some extent, but It is believed that the
administration will insist upon the House
bill as more nearly meeting the views of
the President Chairman Adamson, of
the Interstate Commerce Committee. be-
lieves the interstate trade commission
bill should have the right OF way. Judge
Clayton declares the antitrust bill proper
should be given preference.
Would Limit Debate.
II is understood that the leaders have
determined that the Clayton bill shall
have first consideration for the reason
that Il carries the major portion Of the
administrations antitrust program.
he 1fTa
debate on the antitrust bill to twenty
hours. This means that il il IL pushed
II can be passed in four or five legis-
lation days The chances are that it will
reach the Senate about May .
The bill reported Nv the House Com
mittee today does not differ in principle
from the measure as originally framed,
but the provision limiting the power of
Federal courts In the issuance Of in
junction was rewritten. but its purpose
Is not changed.
A number of changes have been made
In the provisions relating TO price cut
ting, and in the prohibitions against in
terlocking directorates
The committee stood pat on Section :
Of the bill relating 20 labor unions and
voluntary associations of farmers. These
organizations are not exempted from
prosecution as demanded by labor lead
cTS. mere ~ tnc text OI SectlOn 4.
That nothing contained in the anti
trust laws shall be construed to forbid
the existence and operation OF fraternal.
labor. consumers. agricultural or horti-
cultural organizations. orders. or asso-
ciations instituted for the purpose Of
mutual help. and not having capital
stock or conducted for profit, or TO for
bid or restrain individual members of
such organizations orders or associations
from carrying out the legitimate objects
thereof"
Competition vs. Monopoly.
Section of the bill prohibiting a
corporation from acquiring control OF
another corporation originally provid-
ed that such merger should be unlaw-
full IL the effect was to eliminate or
substantially" lessen competition. The
word substantially" does not appear
in the bill reported. The committee
was of the opinion that any combina-
tion that lessened competition in a
given field should be declared to be
unlawful.
In the provisions dealing with inter-
locking directorates two changes are
made. The first eNempts mutual saw
ings banks from the application of the
law. The second provides that the
prohibitions against interlocking direc-
torates shall not operate against in
dustrial corporations with capitaliza-
tion OF less than $1,000. 900
The Republican leaders have not in
dicated to what extent they will oppose
the antitrust program. II is known they
regard part of the proposed law as in
part impraCticable aSd to some extent
without teeth" Minority members Of
the Judiciary Committee will report a
separate measure. II is said
The labor group in the House will
give the leaders more trouble than the
Republicans. as they will insist upon a
straight out exemption clause. They be-
heVe few members will have the temerity
to vote agaissr a labor exemption clause
despite the administration opposition to
such legislation.