Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-20
AntagOnism Between Gov
ernment and Commerce
Declared Over.
FOR SQUARER METHODS
Conuress Hears Plans of Ad-
ministration TO Garry Out
Wishes of People.

Washington. Jan. 2O.-Presideni
wilson personally laid before a joint
session Of congress today the funda-
mental principles OF the democratic
administrations program FOR dealing
vrh trusts and big business" The
president presented the case. he said.
as il lies in the thought OF the cOun-
try.- reiterating that private mo
ropoly Is indefensible and intOlerable," F"
and declaring that conscientious busi-
ness men throughout the nation would
rot be satisfied until practices now de
preoated by public opinion as re-
strzints Of trade and commerce were
corrected.
We are now about to write tho ad-
ditional articles Of our constitution
Of peace said the president. the
peace that is honor and freedom and
prosperity"
Besides suggesting the scope OF leg
lslatiOn. the president made a personal
appeal for an atmosphere OF friendli-
ness and cooperation in congress while
handling the problem
The antagonism," he said. between
BUSINESS and government IS over We
are nov about 20 give expression to the
best Judgment Of America, TO what we
know TO be the business conscience
and honor OF the land. The govern
nsnt and business men are ready. TO
meet each other half way in a common
s1ort 10 square business methods with
10th public opinion and the law"
Chief Points In Legislation.
The chief points which the presi-
Dent signaled out as a basis for legis- !
izfion were:
/ EhectuaI prohibition Of the inter I
locking Of directOrates OF great cor I
Dorstions-banks. railroads. indus /
triAl commercial and public service
bodies.
Law 10 confer upon the inter /
state commerce commission the power I
to superintend and regulate the fnan- I
cal operations BY which railroads pc /
heaeeforth 20 be supplied with the
money they need for their proper de-
veiopment and improved transpOrta-
iion facilities. The president made IL
clear that the prosperity OF the rail-
Ioa1s and the prosperity OF the cOun-
" are inseparably connected" in this
regard
J Definition OF "the many hurtfuI
restraints Of trade" by explicit Iegis-
alton supplementary TO the Sherman
hE.
. The creation Of a commission to
sid the courts and 20 act as a clearing
a'ase OF information in helping bust
Less 10 conform with the law.
> Provision OF penalties and punish
aents 70 fall upon individuals respon-
ME for unlawful business practices.
Prohibition OF holding companies
10 suggestion that the voting power
: Individuals holding shares IN num-
''o1s corporations might be restricted. /
!. Giving 10 private individuals the
snt 10 found suits for redress on }
acts and judgments proven in govern /
.snt suits and providing that statute
limitations should run only from
ae Gate OF conclusion OF the govern
tents action.
he president arrived at the capitol
Z Iz;z5. Both houses were assembled
1nng for his appearance. The house
A.eFies were packed. Mrs. Wilson
a other Of the presidents family.
,'ionatic corps and various officials
NE government were present
Mann Leads Applause !
republican Leader Mann lead the
,pisgse that greeted the presidents
1eierstion giving the interstate com
aee commission power TO regulate
lfoad finances. Loud applause
eetso the conclusions of address 4
Aspublican Leader Mann character n
"a The Presidents message as the 4