The Washington times., 1914-01-27
TRADE COMMISSION
. PLAN EMBARRASSING
congressman Have Varying
Opinions on Feature of VIII
son Trust Program.

One of the stumbling blocks in the
path of trust legislation in Congress
will be the proposed trade commission.
Already variance of opinion with re-
spect TO this commission has devel-
Oped.
One of the criticisms of the trade
commission plan is that it will accom-
plish nothing not already accomplished
by the Bureau Of Corporations, While
furnishing a number of pobs for asplr-
ing patriots.
The commission will have inQuisi-
tional powers and it is the purpose
10 make it a sort of right hand for the
Department of Justice, furnishing In
formation as the department and the
courts desire, helping in reorganization
and the like.
For Great Power.
The demand in many quarters is for
a powerful trade commission which
shall be regulatory of the trusts and
corporations, with powers analogous
TO those of the Interstate Commerce
Commission and even greater thar that
Commission. The Bull Moose party is
committed to the principle OF power
full trade commission, which VIII nave
far-reaching powers Of control over cor
porations. 1t has been obvious from the
plan would not satisfy demands of the
Progressive party leaders. Congress
man Murdock and other Bull Moose
leaders have already voiced their dlsap-
proval, and they will be heard from
at length before there is legislation.
Many progressive Republicans and pro-
gressive Democrats are convinced the
country will have to have legislation
for a commission with strong authority.
From one point of view, some of the
more advanced and radical men in Con-
Rress will be able to accept the Ad-
Ininistration bill. This is on the theory
that once the trade commission is Gre
ated il will be but a short step to clothe
it with ample powers. Thus, II is point
ed out, the Interstate Commerce Com
mission has grown steadily In author
Sty, and no matter how minor the
powers given the new trade commits
sion, the disposition will be to add con-
stantly to those powers. This is about
the only theory on which believers In
a strong commission can reconcile
themselves to support the NeWlands-
Clayton measure.
See Government Ownership.
1t has been frequently remarked In
this Congress that there is a surprising
development of sentiment for Govern
ment ownership. In connection with the
discussion of the Alaska bill, numerous
Senators and Congressman have made it
plain they see an era of Government
ownership not far ahead, and they are
not 1t all alarmed over it. The Post
Office Department is out for Government
ownership of telegraphs and telephones.
The West Virginia coal mine strike in
vestigation developed sentiment in Cor
gress for Government ownership Of
mines, and the Calumet and Colorado
situations are developing more Of it.
Now, comes on "a trade commission
proposition, advanced by the Administra-
,fion, which many men Of all parties are
convinced will not come near to solving
the trust problem. Many leaders, even
of the Progressive party, are convinced
The corporation forces, vast as they are,
cannotb &c ontrolled by any commission.
And that is leading into the conviction
that the Government itself must take
over many activities now left TO private
enterprise. In the discussion Of the
trade commission measure, il may be eX-
pected there will be some frank talk to
the effect Government control is not go
ing to control, and that the present ma
neuyering is all preliminary to Joyern-
ment ownership.
The whole trend is not pleasing to
those who dislike TO see more power CEN
tering in the Federal Government, and
who want the States to have the say and
allow private business to run free frUm
Government interference.