The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-23
THE ANTITRUST BILL.
m ~ OPPOSED ~ svERY BRANCH
or TR1DE.
An Exciting Discussion Yesterday Asvr
Ing Before the COMMITTEES ON oenerss
Laws Many Speeches Made.

on General Laws yesterday morning Va
an extremely lively one. The ball under
consideration was one introduced Ia tn
Senate by Senator withers, entitled. "A
bill to define trusts. provide for pcnait'ss
and punishment OF corporations. persons,
firms, and associations, OF persons Gun
nected with them. and TO promote Tres
competition In the State OF virginia, sno
TO repeal all laws. and parts OF laws 70
conflict with this act"
A number OF prominent business men,
representing different influential firms, 81
Richmond. were present. and many
speeches In opposition to the measure
We're made, several contending that TIE
passage OF such bill! would not only
inJure but possibly destroy, the Interests
represented by them.
TOBACcONIsTs OPPOSE 1T.
The first speaker against the bill was
Mr.. r. $. Bosher. OF the 7 &. Williams
Tobacco Company, who made an ear,
nest and forcible speech. lie declared
that the result OF the enaction of this
bill into a law would be TO eventually
drive tobacco manufacturers out OF the
State. He further claimed that TIE
section of the bill making II a criminal
offence for persons, firms, or corpora
tons to make contracts or enten intd
agreements fixing the price OF goods.
would entirely undo all that had been
done by tobacco manufacturers In Vir-
gnia to create demand for their goods.
If this were made unlawful. he contended,
the trade would be ruined. and the manu-
facturers would be compelled TO again ia.
cur heavy expense to create a market
for their goods.
Mr. T.. II. Mayo. one OF tho largest
tobacco manufacturers in the city. next
addressed the committee, and spoke
against tho bill. lie stated that should
the measure become law, not only
would the manufacturers of tobacco suf-
fer. but the producers as well. IL would
be terrible blow TO every branch OF
the tobacco business, since, il the manu-
facturers were practically debarred from
doing business, there would of necess-
~ be but little market for the tobacco
raised by the farmers.
Mr.. Mayo then spoke OF the good done
by the American Tobacco Company.
wnich some pcpOle characterize as a
trust. lie went on TO show that the
business done by this great concern was
perfectly reasonable and legitimate. and
said that market was created by IL for
much tobacco which could not otherwise
De sold. Mr.. Mayo stated his position
at length and cited many facts to sup
port IL.
DENOUNCED BY PRINTERS.
Mr.. Baughman. OF the Baughman Sta
tionery Company, endorsed the Views ex-
pressed by the previous speakers. declar,
ing that the passage OF the bJi woxld
work great injury to tn renting ana
retail business. He made a strong plea
10 the committee 10 recomnend that t
do not pass.
Mr.. John b. Purcell. OF the wall
known wholesale drug house OF PurolaL
Ladd d Co., next took the 1oor. ana
made strong argument against the pas-
sage OF the bill, declating that II vouid
work injury to every branoh Of 5uslneaa.
tie particularly disliked. he nAsd tho
idea OF the State OF Virginia euerciaane
paternity over the orfvata business OF hs}
cltizens. Hs was satisfied tha.t there
was 10 oeneht but much injury To re-
SUIT from the passage Of the bill. IN
thought II woutA be . most disastrous
law.
THE IRON TRADE.
AJ. Arthur u. Clarke the pr4schRx OF
me oic Dominion Iron and Nall Works.
followed Colonel Purcell. and contended
WAL what had been said against the btI
IN c"1neouoS with othor branches Of
trade applied equally to his business. Re
desired. he said, 70 enter a solemn pro-
1851, against the passage OF such an
injurious measure.
The same scntiments wore forcibly az
pressed BY Mr. Frank d. Beverfdes Of
fihrVey, blair Co., president OF the
local wholesale 9rocerS Association vno
ueoiared that the result Of tho pasraoe
OF the bill would be 10 drive all the
wholesale grocers out Of Richmond ana
out OF tho Stats. He enpreesed tho
earnest hope that tho committee wouId
see Mt 70 report the BID unfavorably.
MT. James II. Capers. OF James u.
Capers Il Co. followed M Beeeri4ra.
ana pointed out the disastrous eject thai
me nii' should II become a law. would
nave upon me business OF tho merchan-
disc brokers.
Mr.. John r. Powers. produce eomm,s-
sion merchant. was also heard in opur-
sition to the bin
SENATOR wITHERs SPEECH.
Senator Withers spoke at some ieasth
IN behaif OF his bill. explaining tss pre-
VISIONS, ana declaring than he thouSht
Ill OF 'he alarm manifested entirely un-
called for. He expressed the hope that
the committee would see III TO report 10
that they would do 20
The committee decided 10 postpone fur
Their consideration OF the bill until Mt
urday next. 10 seems almost cerfaon
that they Will recommend that IL %
not pass.
The bill defines trust to be a combi-
nation OF capital, skill or nets. by two
DR. more persons, firms. corporations. or
associations Of persons. to create or
larry out restrictions In trade or COM
merce, to carry out restrictions In the full
md free pursuit of any business author
zed or permitted by tho laws OF this
state: TO increase or reduce the price OF
merchandise. produce. or Commodities. p.
% prevent competition in Manufacture.
The bill specifies particularly what shall
De regarded as constituting a trust. and
)rescribes as the penalty for a violation
)f the law a fine OF NOT less than so.
Tor more than 1900. and ny imprisonment
n the Denltentiary for not less than one
lOr more than ten years. or by either
'uch fine or imprieOnmanf