Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-28
President Tells Manufacturers
He Will Not Assent to
Altered Program.
HE THINKS PROSPERITY
SOON WILL BE GENERAL
Believes It Better for Business That
Slate Be Wiped Clean at
Present Session.

Replying today to the urgent request of
three of the largest manufacturing asso-
Citations in the world that he drop part of
his program for antitrust legislation, so
that business may get it's breath, Presi-
dent Wilson firmly declined to make a
change in his plans, but told his visitors,
the officers and officials of the associa-
tons. that he believed it to be the best
interests of business to complete the leg
is]ation regarded by him and his party as
necessary and then let the rest come
He declared that the business hesitation
now prevailing is Worldwide. but he feels
sure that better times are ahead. He re-
CARDS the depression in all parts of the
world as more or less psychologicaE"a
state of mind he expressed it-and was
convinced that great prosperity is
comparatively close at hand. He said
that figures he had received from gov
ernmental departments convinced him
that this return to prosperous condi-
tons would not be long delayed, but he
could not predict when it would come.
Some Grain of Comfort,
The representatives of the manufactur-
ers departed in an uncertain frame of
mind: disappointed. of course, that their
mission had failed, but consoled by inti-
nations from President Wilson that with
the completion of his trust legislative
program at this session the uncertainty
of the business world as to legislation
would then be over and they would
know how and where they stand, with
out again being bothered for some time
to come.
The President made no definite prom
ise that he would not again recommend
changes in the antitrust laws after the
passage by this Congress of the meas
ures he supports but his intimations
were clear that if it is all gotten over
now the business world will be able to
proceed with more confidence and with
full knowledge OF its limitations
Wording of Petition.
The petition submitted to the President
is as follows. being signed by the prin-
cipal officials of each organization:
We the undersigned. representing the
National Implement and Vehicle Asso-
citation the Ohio Manufacturers Associa-
ton and the Illinois Manufacturers AS
sociation. in which states the manufacture
.,
employing 1.osiO00 employees, with an
annual pay roll of s7S2. 33655 900, desire to
cooperate with the Congress in legisla-
ton which will eliminate business abuses.
I'VE favor an interstate trade COM
mission properly regulated. but we are
opposed to all legislation which is dis
criminatory and we ask that all other
business lei :slation be deferred until the
business men of the United States can
become acquainted with the proposed
laws, of which they are now entirely ig-
norant.
What the President Said.
The White House gave out this
statement of what the President said
TO the representatives of the manufac-
turers' associations:
The President said in reply to the
Illinois delegation that in his judg-
ment nothing was more dangerous for
business than uncertainty; that it had
become evident through a long series
of years that policy such as the
democratic party was now pursuing
was absolutely necessary to satisfy
the conscience of the country and it's
perception of the prevailing condi-
tionS of business: and that il was a
great deal better to do the thing mod
until more radical forces had accumu-
lated and it was necessary to go much
further.
me President also said that while he
was aware of the present depression of
business. there was abundant evidence
| that it was merely psychological that
| there is no material condition or sub
stantial reason why the business of the
| country should not be in the most pros
| porous and expanding condition He
| urged upon his visitors the necessity of
| patriotic cooperation on the part of
the business men of the country in or
/ der to support rather than oppose the
| moderate processes of reform, and to helm
| guide them by their own Intimate knowl-
| edge of business conditions and processes.
| He told his visitors that it was his
earnest desire to serve and not TO hinder
| or inJure the business of the country in
| any way. and that he believed that upon
| reflection they would see that the course
| he was urging would in the long run
not only. but in the short run also, be
the wise and serviceable COURSE"