The Washington times., 1914-03-15
.PART|SANS Join N
TRUST LEGISLATION
Democrats of Senate Glad to
Get Aid of Republicans in
Framing Bill.

For the first time since the consider
alton Of trust legislation was begun by
Congress. efforts to work out the prob
lem in nonpartisan fashion are being
made.
While It Is doubtful that the bills win
be passed without resort to the secr0s
caucus, there Is more Of . disposition
among Democratic leaders in the SEN
ate to consider them In nonpartisan
fashion than at any time before.
II this idea Is carried out, there 4
little question that legislation with
teenth In 1t" will result It will g;vs
tho progressive Senators Of all parties
a chance to WELD large influence on
the legislation. It IL quite apparent
that, In tho long run. tho trust bins
are going, to be largely shaped in the
Senate. Just a. was tho currency bill.
At present. tho subcommittee Of the
Senate Interstate Commerce Commit
tse, which was appointed to consider
trust legislation. made up Of Democrats
and Republicans 10 holding daily most
ings in an effort to shape up the bill
or billA Progress II being made
Withdrew From Conferences.
Several weeks ago. because the Demo-
Gratis declared 1t was their purpose not
to allow Republicans on the Interstate
Commerce Committee to have any part
tn shaping the trust bills. Senators
Clapp and Cummins withdrew from tho
conferences and said they would have
nothing to do with them. Democratic
Senators proceeded to try to shape tho
bills Themselves, but found the dinicui-
ties such that II was deemed advisable
to change front The result Is that
Democrats and Republicans are now
cooperating. Senator Cummins has
help shape tho proposed legislation.
Just how many bills will be evolved
from the Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee 10 not certain. Strong SUP
port has arisen in the subcommittee for
q plain Of covering the field with Just
az few bills a. possible. The idea Of
covering 1t in q single bill has been
advanced. but this probably viii not be
Tho suggestion Of covering the trade
ates in . single bill is receiving serious
in the subcommittee Tho
fewer tho number Of bills, the more
quickly win II be possible for Congress
to enact the legislation.
Bill Il Strengthened.
Tho interstate trade commission ques-
ton has been practically disposed Of BY
the subcommittee. Tho original Dill. II
Is understood. has been considerably
Interlocking directorates
are now receiving attention. It Is DIM
cult to draw the limo as TO what inter-
locking directorates should be pro-
hibited and what should not. and to
ascertain what prohibitions would work
more harm than good. The subcommit-
tee Is giving this phase Of the problem
diligent attention II wants a bill
which will reach to present evils and
not hamper small business.
All the indications point to protracted
debate in the Senate on trust Iegisla-
ton The subject is OF such scope and
that It win be found i'm
possible to get legislation without
lengthy discussion.
Some of the ableSt Progressive Sena-
tors. without regard to party, If the
way Is not foreclosed by secret caucus,
will make a vigorous effort to get legis-
lation which will cut deep into present
evils. Against this, there will be a
strong reactionary effort to make the
legislation as innocuous as possible.