Elliot H. Goodwin to Woodrow Wilson

This formal request on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America that the Sundry Civil Bill should not receive Executive approval in its present form is based upon a referendum conducted by the Chamber among all the commercial organizations of the United States affiliated with it, which was completed on June 14. The provision of the Sundry Civil Bill which purposes to exempt labor and agricultural combinations from prosecution under the antitrust laws was the sole question submitted for consideration. In accordance with the By–laws of the Chamber, forty–five days were allowed for the vote. The result speaks clearly for itself. One hundred and sixty–nine organizations representing in their membership 106,495 firms and individuals cast 669 votes against the exemption of labor and agricultural combinations, and four organizations with a combined membership of 1,008 cast nine votes in favor of the said exemption.
Votes are apportioned according to membership. An organization with twenty–five members has one vote and an additional vote is allotted for each two hundred members in excess of twenty–five, but no organization is allowed more than ten votes.
A full analysis of the vote and a copy of the question as submitted to referendum is transmitted herewith.