The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-01-19
TO READ MESSAGE TUESDAY
Wants Assistance of Business
men in Meeting Specific
Phases of Question
INTERSTATE COMMISSION PLAN

Washington, Jan. 19.-The admins
tration intends, chiefly through it's
trust program, TO facilitate processes
of accommodation" as contrasted with
processes of suit" The president to-
day told callers that the recent agree
ments between the department of JUS
tice and business concerns were not
settlements which abated the law in
the least degree, but merely under
standings as to method and time with
IN which the corporations would con-
form with the laws while being allow
ed reasonable periods fer adjustments.
In that sense the word "accommo-
dation' is used, meaning accommodate
ing the processes TO the interest of
business, though not abating law. In
that connection, the president believes,
better machinery for conducting the
processes of accommodation" TO the
law ought be set up. An interstate
trade commission is the body the pres
ident has in mind TO fill that need
The presidents message went to the
printers today. and will be delivered
To Congress tomorrow.
IN pointing the way 10 legislation on
specific phases OF the trust question,
the president intends to emphasize the
necessity Tor a friendly spirit in Con-
gress in approaching the task. He
wishes the business Of the country TO
be assured of the administrations in
tention 10 welcome suggestion and
common counsel and to afford those af-
fectcd by the proposed legislation am
PIE time to adjust themselves to new
laws or conditions
Administrations Program.
Summed up, the administration pro-
gram on trust reform for the present
session Of Congress covers the follow
ing points
l. Supplementing legislation TO the
Sherman antitrust law, without
the statute, certain additions
are intended such as the prohibition Of
secret agreements or understandings
looking TO Determinations in credit,
fixing of prices, under selling and other
means of sitting competition.
.. The prohibition Of interlocking
LEGISLATION as well as the
power Of publicity TO be invested I'm
government bureaus is expected TO
correct the abuses.
2 The creation of an interstate
radc commission, merged with the bu-
'eau of corporations 10 furnish infor-
nation to the business world aud at
he same time act as a board of con-
'iliation in helping corporations to adj
ust themselves to the mandates of the
aw.
4. The prohibition of holding COM
panies. Corporations or individuals
would not he able under the proposed
cgislation To be interested through the
loding of shares or otherwise in the
business of actual or pretential COM
'etitors or concerns doing a cognatc
business
5 The supervision by the Interstate
commerce commission of the issuance
" railroads of stocks and bonds and
he uses 10 which funds SO obtained are
'ut.
s. individuals to benefit 10y govern
nent suits. At present. a person or
orporation injured through an allegcd
Unlawful combination is required to
rove ,he illegality Of the combination.
legislation is intended permitting par
les agSricvcd TO use as "A basis for
heir damage suits whatever adjudi-
ations the government may have pro-
ured in civil or criminal proceedings
Z. Provision FOR the punishment of
Individual officers. I'm all the legisla-
ion planned by the administration. IL
$ proposed to include penalties, not
My for The persons at the head of the
orporatiuns practicing unlawful acts.
mt for those individuals responsible
or the direction of unlawful destralnts
{ trade.
The president has been receiving
pinions and estimates on the bust
ess situation of the country which
'ad him to believe that general con-
dcnce in the future exists
The presidents letters lead him 10
clicvc business has actually been
timulated 10y the tariff and that the
verage small merchant is in better
undition than formerly.