The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-25
AND ACTED FAV0RhBlY
Mr. STEVENS APPEARED IN Be
HALF OF THE BILL.
RETAILERS AND FARM suPPuEStxtMPTtD
The Amendment to Exempt Agents OF Trusts
Was Withdrawn in the Face Of Oppo-
sition. Efficiency Of The BILL
Was Not Impaired.

fayorably on the Stevens antitrust plii
yesterday after adopting several amend
ments offered by Mr.. james III. Pou, III
behalf of retailers.
If the bill does not get lost in the final
shuttle it will doubtless become law.
No serious opposition in the Senate is
probable, but it will have to go back
to the House for concurrence in the
amendments.
The efficiency of the bill was not ma
terially impaired by the Senate amend
ments according to the best opinion. The
chief amendment was the striking out
of all section five.
The other amendments were to exempt
retailers from the operation of the law,
enabling them along with jobbers and
wholesalers to buy directly from trusts,
and TO exempt all agricultural articles
and I'll articles and commodities used
in the cultivation of the farm.
Mr.. Stevens appeared III behalf of his
bill. Mr.. Stevens said that the ques-
ton had been asked whence came the
demand for antitrust legislation. Inc
people did not have the time 10 come
before the committee and urge that the
party live UP TO its pledges. The State
and National platforms demand anti
trust legislation. If the clause aimed at
agents was stricken out the bill might
as well be killed. Every man who dealt
with the trusts would be constituted an
agent to evade the law.
Senator Daniels asked il the law would
not tend to keep concerns out OF
trusts.
Senator Glenn said it would tend only
to make them sell for cash.
As to section five. Mr.. Stevens said it
was intended only to enable the ready
enforcement of the previous sections, to
outlaw the man who violated the law.
The retail merchant could exempt
himself from the provisions of the law
By buying from the jobber who was
exempted under the law Instead of
hurting ii would help jOhbers. The
Law could be pleaded only against trusts
and agents The only effect on johbers
would be TO compel Il change III the
form of contract; instead of acting as
an agent he would buy outright.
Senator Hicks said the jobber would
have to pay cash. Mr.. Stevens replied
that he would not because jobbcrs were
the law against johbers.
Senator Justice: How would the law
do any good. then?"
Mr.. Stevens replied it had been found
effective in other States.
Senator Justice: I'VE do not want to
do Il vain thing"
form"
Senator Glenn: WAS that not mere
echo of the National PLATFORM
Mr.. Stevens said Attorney General
Osborne had recommended bill of that
sort to Governor Carr but the Fusionists
had charge The Democrats had criti-
cized the Fusionists for not passing such
law; the Democrats would be open to
the same criticism if the bill was not
passed.
Mr.. Pou had accepted the bin be-
fore the House committee
Mr.. Pou said he was asked to offer
amendments by local merchants. 1t
was desired by Democrats to kill trusts,
but not to do the Sampson act and kill
themselves. Section one required close
attention To change from an agent to
one knowingly selling trust goods would
not exempt man from the provisions OF
the law.
Senator Daniels: 'If the markets OF
the State are worth anything to these
concerns would they not change their
methods of business to comply with the
law"
Mr.. Pou said the price of articles like
| sugar had been fixed by the laws OF
trade. 1t was the most effective anti
| trust bill ever proposed in the State,
- d. T. 1Cki naf nY1ft
| those aimed at. He offered to exempt
retail merchants as well as Wholesale and
| iohhers. The amendment was accepted
| In section II he asked that agents" be
stricken out Mr. Stevens said the eff
| feet of that would be to kill the bill.
| Mr.. Pou said matches and soda were
sold only through agents.
Senator Daniels said they would not
| forego the markets rather than sell out
right.
Mr. Stevens said he was surprised that
Mr.. Pou should oppose the bill because
he had agreed to the bill as il passed the
House. Mr.. Pom said he was acting il
behalf of clients. Mr.. Stevens said sec
ton five could be stricken out
/ Mr.. Ward said he was opposed to G
member of the House getting all the
credit for an antitrust bill. He moved
| that Senators Fields, Glenn be appoint
| ed to draw n substitute.
Senator Glenn said an antitrust law
| should be passed He moved to adopt
| the amendments which are as follows:
To strike out section 5; to exempt ag
| ricultural articles and commodities usei
in the cultivation of the farm; to exempt
retailers; i'll section II strike out "whC
is not or party or interested in or al
agent of a trust" This failed.
Senator Fields with the amenden
whom would the bill reach?'
Mr.. Pom: amy trust in the State"
Mr.. Stevens: '"That would make tn,
bill . nullity, would it not Mr.. ROM
| tree:"
| Mr.. Rountree: 1T looks very mucl
like it,
Mr.. Hicks 'The bill looks like i