The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-15
Wants Task Approached
in Friendly, Not Hos
tile Spirit.
EXPRESSES HOPE
OF EARLY ACTION
Points Out General Lines Along
Which He Thinks Legislation
Should Be Framed, and
Urges Common Agreement
Among Trainers of Pro-
posed Measures.

WdSnlHSlO lOH. january l4.-HreSldenC
Wilson took into his confidence to o-day
on the subject OF antitrust reform
Democratic members Of the Senate
Committee on Interstate Commerce
and subcommittee of the House Ju-
dietary Committee. With these com
mittees, which Will be in charge of an
thrust legislation the President spent
several hours reading his Forthcoming
message and pointing out tho general
lines along which he believes trust
legislation should be framed. From the
conferences the following program was
assured:
Prohibition of interlocking director
atcs in banks. trust companies and all
lied Industrial corporations.
Elimination Of uncertainty as to what
constitutes a restraint Of trade under
the Sherman law through specific def
milton of monopolies and trusts, SO
that there can be no reasonable" re-
straint of trade.
Removal OF all possibility Of "immu-
nifty baths' for offending corporations
or individuals.
Interstate Trade Commission.
Establishment OF an Interstate trade
commission, which would take over
the Bureau of Corporations, serve as
an auxiliary to the courts and Depart
ment of Justice. and act as a Bureau
of Information, to which tho business
world could direct inquiries. but which
would have no power of granting i'm
munity or of regulation.
PROVISIONS In every case for penal
ties based on individual responsibility
and personal guilt.
The President to-day did most of the
talking. with occasional Interruptions
from his visitors. Details were left
TO the committees themselves to work
out in cooperation with the President
the Department of Justice and the De-
partment OF Commerce. The President
emphasized his desire that the task
be approached in friendly rather than
hostile spirit towards the business
world, and expressed a hope for a COM
mon agreement among leaders in Con-
gross who have boen active in press
ing antitrust measures.
Although Senators and members of
the House would not discuss the de-
tails of tho measure, there was a gem
eral expression OF approval of its con-
tents.
we just had q discussion of the
general subject with tho President"
said Chairman Clayton, of the House
committee.
I'VE will have other conferences
soon"
Asked If the House subcommittee
outlined to the President some of its
bills, Mr.. Clayton replied:
I'VE did not come to give the Presi-
dent our ideas. but to get his"
In Accord With Views.
Mr.. Clayton and committee members
said they were in hearty accord with
the Presidents views. Similar express
sions came from Chairman Newlands
and members OF the Senate Commerce
Committee.
The President indicated his desire
that the subject should be promptly,
though carefully, considered and dis
posed of If possible, by the middle of
June.
The days developments made it Ger
tain that the tentative bills. already
prepared by the trust subcommittee of
tho House Judiciary Committee would
be reframed, particularly to include
provision for an Interstate trade COM
mission, which the subcommittee had
not embodied in its plan.
Both committees have determined to
so ahead with the work OF drafting
the bills, eliminating hearings, as they
consider enough information on the
subject already is at their disposal.
There are pending In Congress sew
erai bills providing for trade com
mission All would provide for a nom
partisan board, appointed by the Presi-
cent with the consent of the Senate.
Tho present idea is that the proposed
ooard should be an aid to the Depart
ment of Justice. but should in no man
ner conflict with tho Jurisdiction of
that department