The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1914-05-08
PUSH TRUST BILLS.
SEVERAL MEASURES TO BE
PUNCHED IN ONE 70 ExPE-
DlTE MATTERS.
VERBAL TRIMMING is NEEDED
All Administration Bills Prepared, but
Must Be Revised to Clarity Mean
ing Before Given into the
Hands Of Congress.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

Washington.-Thus far only two oil
the antitrust measures proposed by
the present administration have been
submitted for debate to congress. the
Interstate trade commission and the
holding company bills.
All the antitrust measures have
been prepared, but 1t seems that radi.
cal changes probably will be made in
all of them before they are passed
They are called administration meas
ures. In sense they were. but Mr..
Wilson approved OF them only In. a
general way, his desire being to in
cite discussion and to invite from the
country suggestions for changes which
might be OF benefit
Democratic leaders OF the two
houses today are planning to expedite
committee consideration of the anti
trust bills 80 that they can be taken
up and pushed to a passage the in
slant that the tolls repeal measure is
out OF the way. While there have been
indications of Republican support for
the interstate trade commission bill,
there are few like symptoms that the
other antitrust measures will meet
with the favor of the opposition. The
majority leaders, fearing stubborn re-
sistance and delayed action. want to
get into the fight quickly SO that the
end, which means adjournment, will
not to be long delayed.
| When Mr.. Wilson gave his approval
to the bills as originally framed, he
understood thoroughly that they would
be subject to amendment while on
their way to passage through the two
houses of congress-. Already it Is said
he knows that the interstate trade
commission bill probably will be al
tered in one or two particulars. and
that having made study of the pro
posed changes, he is inclined to believe
that they will strengthen the resulting
Law.
VIII Be Changed Materially.
The holding company bill will be
changed probably materially before
passage. The trade commission meas
ure underwent a transformation while
1t was in the hands of the interstate
commerce committee The changes
brought support to the measure from
the Republicans and from few Pro-
gressives.
The bills relating to the control Of
stock and bond issues, interlocking d.
rectorates, Sherman law definitions
and trade relations are yet to be given
into the keeping Of congress. In their
desire to hasten the hour of passage
the Democratic leaders may ask that
all of these measures be combined in
one legislative act. 1t Is urged that
II this Is done at least three weeks
time can be saved.
1t is probable that II President VIII
son had not been engaged SO con-
stantly with anxieties over Mexico and
over the canal tolls repeal matter, the
antitrust bills would be by this time
well on their way through congress.
Mr.. Wilson has been the moving VOW
er in all legislation which the Demo
Gratis have enacted thus far, and the
delay of the trust bills has been due
unquestionably to the unwillingness of
the Democratic legislators to move
without feeling the compelling power
OF the presidents hand. They do not
wish. apparently, to go ahead on their
own account
In the days to come whether trust
legislation seems to deserve praise or
blame the president will be given the
one or the other.
To Clarity the Meaning.
One of the criticisms made of the
antitrust bills in their present form.
although an exception is made in the
case of the trades commission meas
ure, is that they are verbose and con-
tain sentences open to more than one
construction. The effort of the adj
ministration now Is to simplify all
of the bills and to clarity their mean
ing
1t is said that the president is in
favor OF combining most of the anti
trust legislative proposals in one bill
He thinks this will make for time-sav-
ing and that it will simplify proceed
ure. The Democrats believe that their |
chief glory of achievement is to come |
from the passage of antitrust legis-
iation. 1t Is their hope to get it through
without serious party antagonisms.
They do not want to be under the ne |
cessity of resorting to a caucus to |
force any one of the bills through as a |
party measure. They think there is
good campaign material in each one OF
the five measures. Their desire TO fin. |
ish up trust legislation in order to |
make it serviceable in the campaign
may tend TO shorten debate on the |
tolls repeal bill which is now before |
the senate for lighting consideration"
Toll Debate is Bitter.
The whole subject OF the repeal OF |
the toll exemption clause OF the canal |
act Is loaded with bitterness Demo- |
Gratis, Republicans and Progressives |
have been divided in opinion as to the |
wisdom OF doing away with the clause |
of the law which allowed American |
coastwise sailing ships to pass free OF
tolls through the Panama canal The |
night In the senate and house has heen