Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-21
AND OTHERS PUSH
ING BILL 70 PERMIT COL
LEcTIvE BARGAINING.
PLANNING TO DRAW
UP LAW TO STAND TEST
Danger Of Measure Running Afoui Of
Antitrust Statutes - Volstead Bill
Authorizes Farmers and Ranchmen
and Fruit Growers to Combine for
Better Marketing Of Products.
by r.. G.. Dougherty.l

by f. G. Dougherty.1
Washington. May '21.-In the hope
that some legislation can be passed
tefore congress adjourns or recesses
for the political convenience to auth
erize collective bargaining by farm
ers Representative volstead, Of Min
riesota, is seeking rule for the house
to give immediate consideration to
his bill providing for the relief sought
ty the American farmer generally.
Volstead's bill, in the drafting of
which Representative Boies. Of the
Eleventh Iowa district. was called
in 70 rconsultation on the legal phas-
es is compromise and intended to
remove some of the objections to
the Capper- Herman bill which was
introduced in both the senate and
the house months ago, but which
las been unable to see the light OF
day In either house because of the
pronounced opposition.
Before presenting the measure.
Representative Volstead discussed the
subject of collective bargaining with
representatives of various farmer
= rganizations. having headquarters
here. and it was his purpose to write
the legislation as nearly as possible
in harmonS with their views He
Goes not expect the bill to pass with
cut amendments. but he believes II
is so drafted that the various fac
tions in and out of congress can get
together on It as basis.
Farmbers have been demanding
collective bargaining legislation for
r1any years. There is some doubt as
to whether such bargaining is not
prohibited by the Clayton antitrust
act. The Volstead bill does not pro-
pose to repeal any portion of the
Clayton act. 1t merely states that the
provisions of this measure shall stand
'thy law to the contrary notwith-
standing"
The Volstead bill authorizes farm
trs. planters, ranchmen. dairymen
and fruit growers to organize 500
operate or otherwise" and with or
without capital stock. in collective
processing. preparing for market.
handling and marketing in interstate
and foreign commerce, such prod ucts
Of their members" Organizations so
formed are authorized to make con-
tracts.
Elss Profits Limited.
To protect all members in such
| 1rganiza atoms it is provided:
That, such association is so or
t;anized that no member shall have
more than one vote therein regard :
less OF the amount he may have
contributed for use as capital or be
the owner of, and that no one is en-
titled to be a member of or share in
the gains and profits derived from
such an association unless he is a
producer of such agricultural pro-
ated for mutual help of the mem
hers thereof as such producers and
not for the profit that may be de-
lived from contributions used as
capital. which profit shall not exceed
seven per cent year upon such
contributions, and that no person
shall receive as u dividend or profit
upon such contributions more than
five per cent Of the total net profits
rnade by any such association in any
enc year."
Provision Is made to protect the
general public against a monopoly.
The secretary of agriculture is di-
esq cd 10 fbtc ne p,
law.
If the secretary of agriculture has
reason to believe that ANY such
association either by reason of its
size or because of the form of the
organization or the methods used by
it, in carrying on it's business, shall
| lnonopolize or restrain trade or less
TN competition to such an extent
that the price of any agricultural
product is, or is about to become
llnduly enhanced by reason thereof
shall serve upon such association q
complaint stating his charge in thai
Prospect, to which complaint shall bt
attached, or contained therein, a no.
ice Of hearing, specifying a day ant
place not less than thirty days A.
.er the service thereof, requiring tn,
association to show cause why al
order should not be made directing 1
to cease and desist from SO monopo
lizing or restraining trade or lessen
ing competition in such articles"
After giving the association hear
in the secretary is empowered in cas-
be thinks the public good demands
it, to issue an order against the as
ISOLATION. which is given thirty day
to comply.
The department of justice is givel
authority to enforce such order.