The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-20
Claimed that Vital Feature of the
Barrett Law Is Affected by
One Measure.
CAUCUS ON TOWNSHIP REFORM
REPUBLICANS HAVE APPOINTED 4
STEERING COMMITTEE.
A WranGIe over the RaiIrOnd Subsidy
BilI-VOte on ROby
Measure.


the introduction of bills yesterday, the Sem
ate had consumed about one hour of time,
and some one suggested that the senators
coulG serve the state best by adjourning, as
there were many committees ready to meet,
and much important business to be trans
acted by them. A press of bills awaited in
PRODUCTION, however, and by the time the
last one was read it was IL o'clock.
Probably the most important bin intro
duced yesterday, considering its intent and
scope against trusts, was that by Senator
Johnson, of Madison. 1t is an antitrust bill
of the most pronounced sort, and not only
prohibits the formation of trusts. but makes
it unlawful to deposit stock or bonds of a
company with any reorganization committee
for the purpose of effecting a consolidation
of interests in the nature of trust, and,
moreover makes it unlawful to own trust
certificates In defining a trust, the bill
says
BE it enacted by the General Assembly of
the State of Indiana, that trust is a COM
binauon of capital, skill or acts by two or
more persons, firms, partnerships, corpora
lions or associations of persons, or of any
Two or more of them for either any or all of
the following purposes:
TO create or carry out restrictions in
trade or commerce.
ITO limit or reduce the production.
or increase, or reduce the price of merchan-
disc or any commodity.
ITO prevent competition in manufacturing
transportation, sale or purchase of mer-
chand1se, produce or any commodity.
10 nix at any standard of figure, where
py It's price to the public or consumer shall
be in any manner controlled or established
any article or commodity of merchandise
produce or commerce intended for sale bar
ter. use or consumption in this State.
TO make or enter or execute or carry out
any contracts, obligations or agreements of
any kind or description, by which they shall
bind or have bound themselves not to SELL
dispose or or transport any article or any
commodity or any article of trade. USE
merchandise, commerce or consumption be-
low common standard figure of fixed
value or by which they shall agree in any
manner to keep the price of such article
commodity or transportation at fixed or
graduated hgure, or by which they shall
in any manner establish or settle the price
OF any article, commodity or transportation
between them or themselves and others so
as to directly or indirectly preclude a free
ana unrestricted competition among them
selves or others or any purchasers or con-
s sumo IN the sale or transportation of any
such article or commodity, or by which they
snail agree to pool combine or directly or
indirectly unite any interests that they may
have connected with the sale or transporra-
Won OF any such article or commodity that
us price might in any manner be affected
EVERY such trust as is defined herein is de-
clared 70 he against public policy, unlawful
Continuing, the bill says: ANY violation
OF either or all Of the provisions of this act
shall be and is hereby declared a conspir-
acy against trade. and any person who may
become engaged in any such conspiracy or
take part therein, or aid or advise in it's
commission, or who shall as principal, man
ager, director agent servant or employer
or IN any other capacity, knowingly carry
out any of the stipulations. purposes. prices
rates, or furnish any information to assist
IN carrying out such purposes or orders
hereunder or in pursuance thereof, shall be
punished by fine of not less than $50 nor
he
than six months nor more than one year or
both fine and imprisonment Each days
violation of this provision shall constitute a
separate offenSe.
1t shall not be lawful for any person
partnership, association or corporation, or
any agent thereof, 20 issue or to own trust
certlncates, Or for any person, partnership,
association or corporation. agent officer or
employe, or the directors or stockholders of
any corporation. to enter into any combina-
lon, contract or agreement with any per-
son or persons, corporation or corporations
or with any stakeholder or director thereof
the purposes and effect of which combina-
ton contract or agreement shall be to place
the management or control of such combina-
tion or combinations, or the manufactured
product thereof, in the hands of any trustee
or any trustees with the intent to limit or
fix the price or lessen the production and
sale of any article of commerce, use or con-
sumption. or to prevent, restrict or dimin-
1Sh the manufacture or output of any such
article, and any contract or agreement in
violation of the provisions of this act shall
be absolutely unlawful and void
Several members, IN discussing the bill
said there were many reasons to doubt that
the bill would ever be passed, as it was. by
all odds, the most-raGical measure that had
been offered in years.
BARRETT LAW AFFECTED.
The second reading of Senate bill No 81,
by Senator Johnson, of Madison, brought
on sharp discussion as to its purposes,
and, before it ended, the statement was
freely made that unless the bill was amend
ed, there were many votes which would be
cast against its passage. Senator Inman
held that the intent of the bill was to repeal
the Barrett law, which would not be per-
mitted. The particular portion of the bill
which excited the opposition of the senators
was the section providing that, in making
street improvements, small property owners,
whose assessments are less than $50 must
pay their assessments in a lump sum- while
those whose obligations amounted to more
than $50 may pay them in ten annual in
stallmentS. Senator Inman held that this
was the identical provision of the law of
1889, which was repealed in 1891 by the pres
ent law, allowing all property owners to paw
for street improvements in ten annual in
stallmentS. Several senators maintained
however, that such was not the purpose of
the bill, but Senator Newly came to the res
cue of Senator Inman and held that it was
and that II was not proper bill, because it
attempted to rehabilitate law which had
been repealed. 1t was decided 10 amend the
bill SO as not to conflict with present laws
A resolution was offered to employ two
rev enrolling clerks, as the present force is
not large enough to do the work required
il is claimed. The matter was referred to
the committee on rules.
The different committees reported favor
ably on bills as follows: County and town
ship business-No. 8: To authorize the
boards Of county commissioners to appoint
boards of childTens guardians in certain
cases, and providing their powers in such
cases. No 121: To secure a uniform system
of keeping the accounts of county institu-
tons No. l2S: Regulating the incorporation
ing the duties of county commissioners
Cities and towns-No 10: Regulating the al
lowances and payment of claims against
incorporated towns and cities, and providing
penalties.
Senator Keyes Offered petition from
twenty-five. teachers in NermilIion county
asking that tie tuition levy be raised from
IL to Is cents on the 800 of taxable prop
erty II was referred to the judiciary com
mittee.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Bills were introduced and referred during
the session as follows:
No. 162. Senator Brooks: Establishing and
consolidating libraries in county seats haV-
ing population of less than 10000 libraries.
No. l64. Senator Burns: Providing for the
establishment of a metropolitan police force
in cities of from 1900 TO 200 and the levy
Of tax of 40 of a cent for the purpose;
cities and towns.
No l65. Senator Burns: Authorizing the
lou nj NJ STR - nd q