The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-16
CONGRESS ON SUNS SUIT.
Members Discuss Best way to Cart
Associated Press.

Members Discuss Best way TO Csrb
Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Feb. i5.-Members Of
Congress are showing keen interest In
the complaint filed by THE Sun with the
Attorney General asking him 10 beg
proceedings under the Sherman antitrust
law against the Associated Press. Re-
quests from leaders Of Congress for copies
Of the complaint are being received daily
by TIE Sun correspondent and In other
ways the interest 10 apparent
Many members Of Congress agree with
THs SUNS contention that the gathering
ana distributing OF news constitute In
terstate commerce within the meaning o.
tho present antitrust law. Others who
are not certain on this point believe that
II the collection and distribution OF news
does not fail within the present law ade-
quate legislation should be enacted with
out delay. In fact the issue raised by
TIE SrN Is likely TO lead to con-
siderable discussion Of the question at the
present session OF Congress
Tho features Of The SUNS complaint
tina. have interested members Of Congress
most are the charges Of undue restraint
exercised by tho Associated Press In COM
+ polling Its members to remove THE Suns
wires from their offices. Many members
OF Congress have no hesitancy in saying
that IL these allegations arc sustained
the Associated Press has been guilty Of
| violation OF the Sherman antitrust
law.
Recalls Glarlnx Abuses.
For obvious reasons many Representa-
tives object TO expressing their opinions
for publication at this time. but sumo 10
not hesitate TO give their views One Of
the latter was Representative Joseph Tag
ser. OF Kansas. a Democrat. who 10 a
member Of tho House Judiciary Commit
tee. now engaged in framing antitrust
legislation. He said that THE SUNS COM
pla!nt seemed 10 show a Migrant instance
OF boycott.
Il can recall E!aring abuses by the
Associated Press In my own State" said
he. Although l am a lawyer cannot
feel sure that the complaint o. THE Sun
comes under the Sherman antitrust law.
u II does not, then should suggest that
this law os amended to include the neccs-
sary authority for the Government to pro-
| coed against such a distas;eful monopoly.
| News IL something substantial. 1t can
DO bought sold and exchanged. II Is an
article Of commerce.. Telegraph wires and
| the malls are simply means Of transpor-
tation. II would correct many wrongs II
the Interstate Commerce Commission
should supervise this interstate exchange.
Certainly that commission could stop the
alleged boycott
Surpfisrd nv Dictatorisl M.shoA..
That the board OF directors OF the AS
ISOLATED Press should attempt to dictate
from whom and TO whom the association 3
members should buy and sell their own
personally owned stock Ia trade--that Is,
news-!s almost beyond conception. THE
SUNS complaint, however, seems to ind.-
cate that this situation exists I, the
present law has not sufiiclen, scope 20
remedy the situation 1 shall warmly sup
port any legislation which will effectively
correct conditions.
Representative Andrew j. Volstead OF
Minnesota. n Republican, also a member
Of the House Judiciary Committee, said
Boycott Is a violation OF the Sherman
antitrust law. The Associated Press has
long held control OF the news commodity
D. this country. II delivers its news to
about whatever papers It plcases and
simply because II In cooperative non.
money making institution Il can hardl,
; spirit and letter o. n law which was en-.
acted to prevent Just such Efforts IN TN,
restraint OF trade. News Is as much ar
article OF commerce as oil or sugar n,
coal. II Is as widely consumed. And thl.
nation II in such a state of civilization
that II Is as widely needed II the welfar,
Of the country Is to be paramount.
III the Attorney General should rul,
that the complaint cannot be cons,dere,
under the Sherman law. or that there 4
no apparent violation OF It I would sue
gest an amendment to put an end TO III,
practice"
"Obvlously . Nououo,~v
.,
nho'he, ne'hoer OF the judiciary Com
} hnt,ee whose name IS withheld by re
aues, SAID
mere are many members or Congress
~ho uss'ro some means py which the higl
. na"ueo m'athe, Oh confronting the news 0
.he MoL" .! 'he associated Press can b
. ..n,.s' 4" - obviously mononol!
SuM ID out one OF many sufferers.
were two pauers' on, mnru,n, ga" ard ''', ~,
} other evening. A company w.s ,nr,n.d !,
/, start "A third papcr. but when spnli,niIo,
was made for an Associated Press Sran
; chise Il was informed that ,uch a.. fr."
chise could not be obtained. Ouners -
tho cxistlng papers were o,orlnyn1 ann