Francis G. Newlands to Woodrow Wilson

The clerk of the committee informs me that he has forwarded to you in typewriting the amendments which have been tentatively accepted by the majority members of the committee. Today these amendments were submitted to the full committee for consideration. Senators Cummins and Clapp objected to this method of procedure and withdrew from the committee. The other Republican Senators remained with us and showed a disposition to aid in the perfection of the bill notwithstanding my statement that we would expect, from time to time, to have party conferences of the majority members of the committee and possibly of the majority members of the Senate regarding the measure. I stated, however, that we desired to be very scrupulous regarding the rights of the minority and to give full consideration to their suggestions and amendments; and that this was demonstrated by the fact that most of the amendments tentatively accepted by the majority members of the committee came from Republican members. I stated that before the bill was finally reported we would have a conference with the President, on Wednesday at ten o’clock, and that the President would be glad at such conference to receive the minority as well as the majority members of the committee.
I am sending you herewith a “tentative print” of the bill with the amendments tentatively accepted by the majority members. There are some amendments in the typewritten statement sent you by the clerk which have been passed over. The majority members concluded not to accept Senator Cummins’ amendments regarding the size and capitalization, and determined generally that all amendments supplementary to the Sherman Act should be kept off of the bill, reserving them for separate legislation.
The bill is before the Attorney General for his criticism and suggestions, but he has been so busy that he may be delayed in its consideration. I trust that we may have the benefit of his views before our conference with you, next Wednesday.