The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-11
WILSON CHANGES HIS
TRUST PROGRAMME
Wants Trade Board to Have
Regulation Power, as Urged
by Bull Moose.
MAY SHIFT ON OTHER BILLS
Won't Shorten Work and Con-
gress Expects All Sum-
mer Session.

WAsHiHoroN. June 1o.--President Will
sno approved to-day a plan to change the
Administration trade commission bill so
as to give that body some OF the semi
judicial powers advocated In the Bull
Moose platform.
The amendment which Is to be proposed
to the Covinston bill In the Senate as
result OF the Presidents attitude confers
upon the new commission the power to
issue orders restraining business practices
which It deems unfair or oppressive.
The amendment would mark "a radical
change In the Administration antitrust
programme and Information OF the Presi-
dents attitude came as a complete sur
prise to persons who had followed closely
Mr. Wilson's attitude as disclosed In the
various conferences which preceded the
drafting OF the Covington bill. The fact
that to-day's development followed so
closely on the heels OF Col. Roosevelts
recent attack on the Democratic trust
plan added to the surprise.
Another development with regard to the
antitrust situation was the refusal OF the
President to assent to arguments for the
curtailment OF the antitrust programme
at this session. The President told one
OF the Administration leaders In the
House. who called upon him 10 urge such
Insist upon the completion OF the full anti
trust programme at this session.
Leaders Hope for = Cut.
1t is known, however. that leading Dem
ocrats In both the House and Senate still
are hopeful that the President will assent
to cutting Off a part OF the programme as
II now stands In order 10 hasten adjourn
ment.
Many Of these believe that II the Presi-
dent maintains his insistent attitude Con-
gress will be In session until after the
Congressional elections Furthermore,
grave doubt In expressed that Congress
Will accept the important change now pro-
posed
The Covington Trade Commission bin.
as reported from the House Committee
on Interstate and Foreign Commerce and
passed by the House last week. invests
the proposed commission merely with
power to examine and report upon the
affairs OF business corporations. 1t does
not authorize the commission to pass
upon the legality OF the practices under
observation.
Senator Hollis and Representative Ste
vens OF New Hampshire and Louis N.
Brandeis OF Boston called at the White
House to-day to urge that the President
approve an amendment to the Coving-
ton bill comforting this additional power
upon the commission.
Broad Powers First Urged.
The difference between the Stevens and
the Covington bill generally was regarded
as vital at the time when the Administra-
tons Views were being formulated. a
strong effort then was made. notably
among the interested business men. to
have the powers Of the new commission
extend to the sphere of regulation, 80 as
rArr In lar tnA ttif Ia hnu
OF the Interstate Commerce Commission.
To-day the President seemed to have
undergone a change OF mind. According
TO those who conferred with him he in
dictated that he would favor the desired
Just how far tho Admins
tration will go In seeking TO have the
Stevens provisions Incorporated IN the
Covlnston bill by the Senate Committee
on Interstate Commerce was not clearly
The Presidents inclination to favor the
was strengthened later In the
day by the appearance Of Representative
the author OF the Adminls;ra-
ton bill, who declared that he favored
the amendment advocated by Representa-
tive Stevens and Senator Hollis.
There IL a strong disposition here to-
night to believe that to-day's action on
the Presidents part foreshadows an ex-
tensive shifting around OF the antitrust
programme rs IL pdsstu tnt ftOutc, ana
with the consequent elimination Of several
provisions OF the Clayton omnibus bill.
which embodied all the features OF the
except the trade commission
and railway securities measures.
For some time reports had been cur
rent that the President lacked confidence
In the soundness of the Clayton bill from
a legal standpoint. and that the thought
was working In his mind that IL would be
much safer TO extend the scope Of the Cow
ington measure. as q means toward elm
mating some OF the avenues for judicial
which It was feared might be
opened up by the Clayton bill.
The big fact emphasized by to-day's
happenings. though. 10 the confusion OF
mind evidenced on this important subject
after months OF effort and after the House
has already passed the programme in
dorsed by the Administration. The talk
now of making radical changes is regarded
here as confirming the complaint OF BUSH !
ness men In all parts OF the country that
an effort Is being made to push this anti
trust legislation through without adequate
qtndy and opsidaraflop