The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-09
CHASING TRUSTS
WITH
A SHARP STICK
Stevens Bill TO be Reported
Tomorrow.
JOBBERS GIVEN HEARING
SAY THE BILL WILL DESTROY
THEIR BUSINESS.
MR.. CONE THREATENS TO MOVE OUT
A Lively Little Tilt Between Committeeman
Over Proposition 10 Delay Re
port on the Gill, viii BE- Decided
Tb;c Afternoon.
This Afternoon.

The House judiciary Committee had
pretty lively meeting yesterday af-
ternoon.
And it was all over the antitrust bill,
to say nothing of n manifest detcrm-
nation on the part of certain members
to prevent Judge Norwood's impeach-
ment.
These two measures had been made
the special order for this sitting of the
committee. The Norwood matter was
first taken up-but not disposed or
and then the antitrust bill was con-
sidered, with like result.
The introducer of this bill is a gentle
man known to fame as Stevens, OF
Union. And by it he has Won my at
fections / stand ready to like any
man, irrespective of race, color or pre-
vious condition of servitude, who DOES
anything or makes any effort to BRING
the highway robber trusts down upon
their launches. It's a big assignment,
| know, and | have grave doubts OF
his success; but I'm monstrous fond
of folk who will even now and then
give these deadly Upas trees prod
with sharp stick.
Now Stevens is fighter from way
back: for which | like him again. He's
of the porcupine sort. When he fights,
he fights with every quill mounted on
end. He's long-suffering, too: but yes
terday he concluded that the long
part of the thing had played out and
that's what came nigh unto precipitat-
ing row and transferring the tight
into the House.
introduced some three weeks ago, 1t
slept peacefully for two weeks in com
mittee-this antitrust bill did-to be
awakened only by a rude shake from
the introducer. Then began the effort
to get hearing before committee with
the result that little time has been
given it from day to day, for several
DAYS. Monday action was postponed
until yesterday to grant hearing 10
the brokers. The brokers were heard
and d proposition was made for another
postponement Of action.
Mr.. Allen, of Wayne; Mr.. FoUshec
Several members, however, re-
qnested that no action be taken until
today, as they desired to further CON
slider the bill before voting OH it.
Their suggestion was aeceded TO by
Mr.. Stevens, and action on the bill
was postponed with the understanding
that q vote be taken on it in committee
this afternoon.
SO If the committee doesn't back
water ON this action there'n be n re-
port on the bill III the House tomorrow
morning.
The time devoted TO this bill yestcr-
day was given to the commercial men
wholesale jobbers who are opposed TO
the BILL They were represented be-
fore the committee by Messrs. j. q.
Stevenson. of Wilmington; A. ii. Boy
den, of Salisbury, and l.. Richardson.
NJ. L. Michaux and Moses Cone, Of
Greensboro.
Mr.. Stevenson was the first speaker.
He began by declaring his eternal OPP
position to trusts and then proceeded
to point out the evils that must follow
in the wake of any State law regulat-
ing the oft-dsnounced octopus.
The particular bill before the com
mittee he contended, would not hurt
a single trust. but would destroy, root
and branch. the jobbing business in
North Carolina.
1T will kill what is known as the
Equality Plan, among grocers. Prior
TO the adoption of this plan the whole
sale grocery business was done North.
Now the smallest jobber in the State
can compete with the biggest jobber in
New York.
'sTen years ago there as net a whole
sale jobbing house in North Carolina,
except in Wilmington. And those
there were able to exist only on account
of water transportation. Now there are
twenty-five such wholesale houses in