Salt Lake Telegram | 1938-01-25 | Page 4 | Antitrust Law Change Urged

ANTITRUST LAW CHANGE URGED WASHINGTON Jan 25 UPA UP- UP A Assistant Attorney General Robert H. H Jackson told the house judiciary committee today the justice department department depart- depart ment anent can enforce the antitrust laws only by the threat of criminal prosecution an and the use of grand juries to obtain evidence He rioted noted that the department has no power of and suggested amendment of the Sherman antitrust anti anti- trust law to provide for fOI discovery proceeding Given at Hearing His statement was presented at committee hearings on charges of Attorney G General Homer S. S Cummings Cum Cum- against Federal Judge Fer Fer- dinand A. A Geiger of Milwaukee Wis who dismissed a federal grand j jury after voting but before reportIng reporting report- report Ing a criminal Indictment In automobile automobile automobile auto auto- mobile financing cases Jacksons Jackson's testimony coincided with reports from a high administration administration administration adminis adminis- source that President Roosevelt Roosevelt Roosevelt Roose Roose- velt is clinging to his objective of streamlining antitrust statutes You can never get a consent deCree decree de de- de- de cree against any of the big companies companies compa compa- nies flies unless you have pressure on them Jackson said explaining the departments department's negotiations with representatives representatives rep rep- of the big auto manufacturers manufacturers manufacturers manu manu- and retail financing companies companies com corn while the Milwaukee grand jurys jury's investigation was going for for- ward Usual Lines LinesS S We were proceeding along the usual lines of the antitrust division for many years Judge Geiger stopped topped that and waved aside the public interest In In Iii answer to questions of committee committee com corn members Jackson explained In detail how the government proceeded proceeded proceeded pro pro- to obtain consent decrees with large corporations to end alleged alleged alleged al al- al- al violations In the G Geiger case he explained a grand jury investigation of fi financing financing financing fi- fi methods of Ford Chrysler and General Motors was begun With a criminal ind indictment imminent imminent nent neat he said representatives of the companies approached the justice department and negotiations were begun