Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-04-14
BLOCK EDGE
INDUSTRY BILL
Was to Recommend legiSla-
ton Concerning Co-0pera-
tive Organizations
By GEORGE ". MANNING
Washington Correspondent of the
Perth Amboy Evening News)

WASHINGTON, April 14:-Sena.
tor Walter +. Edge of New Jersey
was blocked by Senator Hitchcock
of Nebraska, Democrat, yesterday
in his effort to have the senate adopi
his resolution creating a specia
committee of senator's and represen-
tatives to investigate existing condi'
tions OF Industry and commerce In
the United States for the purpose oil
recommending TO congress legisla-
fion defining the rights and limita-
tons of cooperative organizations as
distinguished from Illicit combina-
tions in restraint OF trade.
The measure has the support OF
Secretary of Commerce Hoover. At
torney General Daugherty, Chairman
Gaskill of the federal trade commits
sion and other administration off,
cials who wish TO have some legis-
lation enacted hat will show busi-
ness how far 1t can go in industrial
combinations without violating the
Sherman antitrust law.
Senator Hitchcock objected TO
adoption of the resolution by the
senate without delay. as urged by
Senator Edge. taking the position
first, that it should be thoroughly
investigated and discussed, and sec
ond, that there are already commit
tees of the senate and House TO deal
with an investigation of this kind
without creation of a special COM
mittee for the purpose, he said, "ot
bringing in a special report in the
interest of enabling these concerns
to go as far as possible toward the
violation of the Sherman antitrust
law"
He would object to adoption Of
the resolution for the moment, SEN
ator Hitchcock said, and thought he
would object to it "for all time.
Senator Edge made some progress,
however. by getting the resolution
put on the calendar from where he
can call 1t up at an opportune mo-
ment. Senator Hitchcock granted
Senator Edges request that this be
allowed to be done.
The Edge inquiry was heartily
endorsed at a meeting here yester-
day of 400 representatives, of trade
associations throughout the coun-
try. presided over by Secretary
Hoover. Mr.. Hoover had called for
the conference at the request of a
large number of trade associations
following the publication of lengthy
correspondence between Mr.. Hoover
and the attorney general regarding
the lawful activities of these associa-
tons.
Senator Edge also attended the
conference and informed those pres
emf of his efforts in h senate 10
have steps taken to guide the way
for industry in the direction of per-
hitting combination that do not
violate the ~trust-laws.
Speaking in the senate later In
urging adoption of his resolution
Senator Edge said: This resolution
simply provides for an inquiry. IL
-~no policy, but provides
or appointment of a joint commit
ee of congress TO ascertain the pres
ent situation in which the trade as
sociations of the country find them
selves. in view of the decision in the
hardwood lumber case before the SUI
preme court of the United States,
which has put these associations IN
q position where they can be held
to be violating the law.
This resolution has nothing to DO
with repeal of the Sherman law.
This congress has already practically
unanim ously adopted legislation
which provides for farmers COOP
erative marketing associations.
voted for this bill with pleasure and
as / remember it passed unanimous
w. The trade associations are not
ssking repeal of the Sherman law
but only that a clear definition be
Given by congress Of what they can
and what they can not do under ex-
Isting laws. Congress certainly owes
them some effort along that line
when we remember that throughout
the country industry is practically
These trade associations
IRE not functioning. They are afraid
10 move after recent decisions of the
supreme court. With millions or
men depending upon industry the
teast we can do is to find some solu-
lon of the problem"