The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1914-04-09
PUSH TRUST BILLS
SEVERAL MEASURES TO be
suNcHEp IN ONE TO ExPE.
DITE 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.

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 it seems that radi-
cal changes probably viii 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
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
committee consideration OF the anti.
trust bills SO that they can be taken
up and pushed TO 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 30 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 II 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.
! Will 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
gressives. 1t may be that when the
members amend the holding company
bill 1t will be assured OF like support
from some of the senators and repre-.
Sentatives OF the opposing parties.
The bills relating to the control OF
| stock and bond issues, interlOcking d.
rectoTates, 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
| If 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 pow.
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 ad
ministration now ID TO simplify all
OF the bills and to clarity their mean
ing
President Wilson is a phrase maker.
4 writer aud speaker OF clear English.
He has found, however, that there is
difference between discussing matters
of which he has q thorough under
standing and matters which it takes
legal mind and a legal eye to grasp
and TO see. The language of legIsia-
ton is the language OF law and the
president has been away from the law
for some time.
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-say-
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-
lation. 1t is their hope to get 1t through
without serious party antagonisms.
They do not want to be under the ne
cessity OF resorting to caucus to
force any one OF the bills through as
party measure, They think there Is
good campaign material In each one OF
the five measures. Their desire TO I'm
lsh up trust legislation in order to
make 1t serviceable IN the campaign
may tend to shorten debate on the
| talla ranaal hill uyhioh Ia aaw hafara