The Portland daily press., 1890-03-26
GUARDING THE WoRKINcMEN.
The Antitrust Bill Amended to Se-
cure Their Rights.

WASHINGTON, March 25.-In the Senate
today, the antitrust bill was taken up and
Mr.. George moved that the bills and amend.
ments be referred to the judiciary commit
tee. He compared the six bills on this sub
ject reported from the committee on finance,
and said that as often as the fallacies in one
bill were exposed, the committee SOU ght re-
fuge in another pretense. Now it had fallen
back to its last ditch.
Mr.. Morgan moved as an amendment that
the judiciary committee be instructed to re-
port back within 20 days.
Mr.. Wilson of Iowa, declared himself in
favor of legislation on the subject of trusts.
He desired to reach result at the earliest
practicable moment and would vote against
the reference of the bill TO the judiciary COM
mittee, because he wanted some bill passed
by the Senate that would 60 to the other
House Amendments would there be made
to it and there would be conference out of
which there might be evolved start at
least towards legislation in that important
field.
Mr.. Sherman spoke of the reference of
bill considered and reported by one COM
mlttee to another committee as very unus-
ual proceeding and one apt to create controv-
ersy and rivalry between committees. He
thought the report of the judiciary commit
tee, when made, would only give rise to new
debate and long detention. He asked that
the bill be voted on now. Then, if passed,
1t would be tangible proposition that could
be sent to the House for consideration.
After further discussion, the Senate voted
against referring the bill and the pend
ing amendments to the Judiciary committee.
Mr.. Reagan's amendment was agreed to-
The amendment provides that
All persons engaged in the creation of any
trust in any capacity, or employed in any bus-
ness carried ON with any foreign country or be-
tween any states OF territories using their pS%srs
fine of not more than $4,000 or imprisonment
OF carry out any restrictions in trade; to limit the
production, or increase or reduce the price OF
merchandise or commodities to prevent competi-
ton In such merchandise, produce commodl-
ties to fix the standard or figure whereby the
price of any article, commodity, merchandise or
produce, intended for sale, use OF consumption
shall be in any manner controlled to create a
monopoly in the manufacture, sale OF transporta-
ton Of any such article; to enter into any obnga
manufacture, sell or transport any such article
below common standard figure, or by which
they shall agree to keep such article M or y
shall settle the price of such article to preclude
unrestricted competition.
Mr.. Sherman moved to amend the first
section by adding that this act shall not be
construed to apply to any arrangement,
agreement or combination.between lahore rs
made with view to lessening the number
of hours of labor, or increasing wages, nor
any arrangement. agreement, association or
combination among persons en-
gagged in horticulture or agriculture.
made with view of enhancin
the price of their own agricultural or horti-
cultural products. The amendment was
agreed to.
MI. Hoar moved to strike out of the first
section the words: "Of different states, or
between two or more citizens or corporations,
or both, of the United States and foreign
states, or citizens or corporations thereof
which was agreed to.
Mr.. Ingalls's amendment aimed at dealings
| in futures" and 'options," was agreed to.
Mr. Coke offered an amendment, consisting
| of eight new sections, and addressed the
| Senate in explanation and advocacy of it
claiming that the bills of Messrs. Sherman
| and Reagan were unconstitutional and vague
| He moved to strike out all of the bill excep
| the amendment of Mr.. ingalls, :. and substi
| tute his amendment for it,
| Mr.. Sherman moved to lay the substitute
on the table and the motion prevailed.
Mr.. Stewart moved to insert in the frs
section the words "Of the value of the none,
by which such cost may be advanced or re
duced."
Mr. Hoar moved an amendment by insert
ing after the word money" the words 80
of gold or silver"
Pending action ON these amendments, tn
Senate at 6.10 adjourned until tomorrow.