New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-21
AS GUILTY PERSONS.
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


In the last Congress there good deal of "thun-
derng in the Index by the frceradc Democrats in the
House. who proclaimed, with one loud voice. lha'
the tariff is the nursing mother Of trusts y dozen
or more bills introduced and an Investigation was
set on foot, which prosecuted with snow OF
energy until the surrender of the Dark Lantern
cahal TO the sugar Trust when it was dropped, and
nothing came of it except fat volume Of nldieested
testimony and array Of arguments IN behalf OF
the trusts.
Since this Congress assembled three bills relating
10 trusts and combinations formed 10 limit the pro
duction and control the prices Of commodities have
been introduced i'm the senate and fifteen have been
offered in the House. not including joint resolution
proposing an amendment to the Constitution. The
senate bills were all offered on the third day Of the
session. and the first measure proposed in either house
was Mr.. Sherman's bill to declare unlawful trusts
and combinations on restraint Of trade and produc-
ton" This bin with some amendments, was favor
ably reported from the Finance Committee on January
IA and Mr.. sherman has given notice that he will
ask the Senate consider it at an early day. As il
will probably form the basis Of whatever legislation is
enacted the subject. a summary of the provisions
Of the bill will be of interest II consists of three
sections
Section declares to be against public policy. I'M
lawful and void, all ncementS contracts. trusts,
combinations. etc, between persons combinations,
made with the intention to prevent fun and free COM
articles imported into the United states. in the pro
duction, manufacture sale Of articles Of domestic
growth or production, or domestic raw material which
completes with any similar article, subject 10 duty or
intended for. and which shall be transported from one
state Territory 70 another for sale. and also all
arrangements, combinations. trusts ETC. intended 20
advance the cost OF any such article, 10 the consumer
section = provides that any person combination
injured or damnifcd by such trust. combination etc,
may sue for and recover therofrom. in any United
States Court of competent jurisdiction, twice tbs
amount of the damage, sustained and the costs Of suit
section provides that any person who shall enter
into any such trust, contract or combination. etc..
whether on his own account. or as agent or attonc'
for another or as officer. agent or stoclloldcr Of
any corporation, in any other capacity whatever.
shall BE guilty Of 4 misdcmeanor and. ON conviction
in any United states District or Crcut Court.
shall be subjected u a fine Of not more than
$4,000. or imprisonment f)r a term not exceeding
FIVE wears. 70 both, i'm the discretion Of the Court
and it shall be the du'y Of the United states District
Attorneys in their pcctve districts, 70 institute the
proper proceedings to enforce the provisions Of the
act.
senator Georges bill double barrel measure. ore
barrel being aimed at trusts and the other at the
tariff. section l decares 10 De unlawful al trusts,
combinations etc. except combinations made between
labores to obtain higher or fewer hour Of labor
or combinations among horticuituriss or farmers 70
products.
section provides that no trust combination. ETC..
shall have the right 10 enforce any contract, agree
ment ETC., in any United ate, Court; and any suit
pending, hereafter brought. 10 enforce any contract
made BY any trust combination, etc., defined in
section l. shall be dismissed, with double costs 20 Dc
PENDANT and such onable allowance 20 defence ~
attorneys fee, the Court may direct.
section require, the President Of the United states,
when he becomes satisfied that any trust, etc.,
described in section, /. has been formed, AMI that in
consequence thereof the price Of article has been
enhanced, TO suspend the collection of al customs Oh
ali similar articles imported into the United States,
such suspension 10 continue until ninety day after
the President shall issue his proclamation removing it,
This bill seems 70 be simply an expression II deina
gogisn The effect Of il, If enacted and enforced
would be TO punish tlc innocent well e TIE guilty
section 1 OF senator Reagans bill provides that
any person corporation engaged or Interested IN
any trust combination etc. shall be guilty or mis-
demeanOr, and conviction Shall receive the same
punishment prescribed by section Of the Sher
man bill
section defines trust to be d" combination Of
capital skill or acts for any or all Of the following
purposes TO restrict trade 10 limit or reduce pr'duc
ton increase or reduce prices Of merchandise or
commodities to fix a standard figure whereby the
price Of any article intended ior sale. or cousump
ton shall be established controlled. as against the
buyer user or consumer: 20 create monopoly IN the
manufacture purchase sale o. sportauon # any
article t. preclude free and Unrestricted competition
in any manner
Section provides that each days operations Of
any trust engaged n violating any provision 4 the
act shall be held 10 be separate offence. The bill
was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
OF the aitecu bills offered i'm tle House. seven were
referred 10 the Committee on Ways aad Means Three
sections Of the bin introduced by General Henderson,
Of Iowa, are identical with the sherman BILL In
addition the biz provide, that one OF Che purpose
Of any trust, etc., shall Doe To compel any person.
partnership or corporation to become party there
TO- To from doing any lawful uAe>, or 10 u
dispose Of the same II the acts OF the trust snail
produce such results, the person. partnership or cor
poration injured may for and recover lhc damage
thereby sustained. II further provide that any per
who ninety days after the enactment Of the
law, shall be Lterc-ted iu any such trust shall b"
liable to punishment under the penal provisions IF tho
act.
The bill offered by Mr.. Congcr Of Iowa. is
duplicate Of the sherman ll The bill introduced hy
Nj. Anderson, Of Mississippi. is th. -ame a. the
proposed hy senator George, OF the state. The
bill offered by Mr. Pierce Of Tennessee. j, the -ane IN
substance as the one offered by Senator Reagan, eX
ccTt tha. Il specifies tru,,, or combinations b
enhance or dcprcs, the price, Of stocks or bonds a
we'll other forms of property
section l Of the bill introduced by Mr. Rrcchin
ridge Of Kentucky. provide that when any ar,lcics
or product, imported into the Unit d stats ar. sun
iect To a duty. il shall be unlawful for any person,
corporations, ETC., engaged in the mining or production
Of Ike article, in the United State. 10 form any ,rli.t
ETC.,, 70 control the amount v;aue Of tine donlc.t
product. the division Of profits among producer, or
sellers Violation of tho law j, u be- punished Ly
Ine not exceeding $4,000, Imprisonment not cx
oeeding year, or both. section, = ami provide
for the remission OF the dutic, all Inn orod articles
affected or controlled by trusts. etc, provided the
amount value of The articles 80 Affected or con
a. anal at
thereof % per cent Of the domestic pr.due iou Or
o. per cent OF the aggregate amount imported and
produced in the United states.
sections and of BE bill offered by Mr.. Lane,
Of Illinois, are the ir substance "a, the CORE
spending sections II the GcoIg chill. section in