New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-07
ANTITRUST MEASURES.
TUE HOUSE LIKELY TO VOTE FOR A
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
IRr rE.neRArH TO TIE rRrnrxr.l

by IEsEGAAEh TO TRIBUNE
washington April with the near approach
~ hot weather and equally hot political cam
-,stgn. the members Of both branches Of Congress
lad OF al parties have begun to look forward
u,th some eagerness 10 the time when they will
10 temporarily released from their official duties
:, washington. and the scramble for precedence
bx the friends OF various Legislative measures
cannot be long delayed If the session is TO be
brought TO a close early June 15-and to
that end plans are being laid and efforts made
some OF the more important measures now pend
ing on the calendars Of both houses must remain
here until the December session.
There is some prospect. however. that among
them VIII not be the proposed legislation to reg
,,late and repress combinations formed for the
urpose Of controlling production and preventing
competition. and that the House OF Representa-
ives at least. viii pass one or two measures
far that object.
In the last ten years the Democrats in Con
r-ess have done good deal of laundering in the
index On that subject, but have never yet been
able 10 suggest a practicable measure to cor
rect the abuses which exist, and the only eff
farttve law thus far passed is the one enacted
nv the List Congress in 1880, and approved by
President Harrison II has been found how
ever that this law does not reach the root Of
me abuses complained OF. and a careful study
al
subject has convinced the lawyers in Congress
mat an amendment TO the Constitution is neces-
sarv. such amendment. il is understood will
soon be- reported From the Judiciary Committee
NJ he House with A favorable recommendation
.hick, II view Of the protested hostility Of the
Democratic party 10 trusts" will be approved
bv the minority as well as the majority OF the
committee
The Joint resolution proposing the amendment
will probably be passed before the end of the
session by the House od Representatives at least
Chairman Ray. Of the Judiciary Committee, who
with his associates. has been devoting much
tine and study 10 the subject for a number of
months past. IS Of the opinion that even with
out an amendment of the Constitution Congress
can enact a law supplementary TO that of 1890
which viii al least paIliate some of the abuses,
and il IS understood that bill fer that object
Will soon be reported TO the House, and il also
viii probab be pushed TO vote before the
adjournment Of Congress This measure has
been drawn, as was that Of 1890, under the
thority given 10 Congress by the Constitution TO
regulate interstate and foreign commerce, and
also 10 control and regulate the postal service.
One feature Of il may be a requirement that
large corporations which own or are engaged in
the production OF articles of interstate and
foreign commerce shall hle with the Interstate
ering their capitalization amount of cash paid
on stock issued annual receipts and expendi-
lures profits or losses. and number Of similar
items Of information, and shall also make annual
reports con tanning the same information Tor the
benefit Of the public. Another feature suggested,
and which may be embodied in the proposed
law, would provide means for the i0entifi-
cation as 70 ownership Of articles Of interstate
commerce while in transit from the place Of pro-
ductiGn 10 place in another State, or 10 for
egl country.
Representative Jenkins Of Wisconsin. who is
second in rank the House Subcommittee
on Trusts, has introduced a proposed amend
Tnent 10 the Constitution giving Congress con-
troll OF all private corporations cOpartnerships
and joint stock companies in the United States.
and also giving Congress power Ito define reg
Ta re control, prohibit, repress and dissolve all
trusts and nlonOpolies and combinations or con-
splracies 10 monODolfZe any part of trade or
commerce. and all contracts and combinations
il the form Of trusts otherwise. or conspiracy
il restraint Of trade commerce II is also
provided that in the absence Of legislation by
Congress the States shall be free 10 act