The Portland daily press., 1900-04-10
Hostility to the Combine
Is Still Increasing.
The States May Be Asked to
Amend the Constitution.
ESPECIAL TO THE rREss.i


Washington. April 9.-The sutj,ot Of
trusts viii undoubtedly recsiTo serious
attention from the House CT Reprsseuts-
tlves at tt is session OF Congress. The
Juditilry committee has had thu sui jeot
under consideration for q long time
and has devoted It's energies 10 large
extent to framing q draft Of a constitu-
tional amendment, which may be- pro.
poeed to the les islatures OF the various
states.
There is in the country bitter feeling
ags last the trusts, especially among the
laboring men. and tbii feeling does not
din inish as time goes on. The Western
members Of Congress are especially ur.
gent for legislation which shall open a
way for controlling tbs great asgresa-
tiops Of capital.
Mr.. Littlsfeld, of Mains, IL a member
OF tie judiciary committee, and on Sat
urday he introduced bill which may be
taken as representing In measure his
views on this important suhjsct. Mr..
Littlsfield's measure Is not in the nature
Of a consti iuti opal amsndms ant; but Is
intended to strengthen the antitrust
law which was enacted by Congress
about ten years ago; but which hos not
proved strong en- jugh to control the
great "ootopuses.
The first section OF the law as amended
by Mr.. Littlensld's Till would read as
fellows:
"Evsry contract, combination In the
form OF trust or otherwise, or conspiracy,
in restrsiut Of trade or commerce among
the several statss, or with foreign nations
Is hereby declared to he Illegal. Every
person who shall make any such contract
or engage In any such combination or
consp Tracy. shall be deemed. guilty of
misdemeanor and conviction thereof
shall be punished by a fine OF mot less
than $500. and not exceeding I've thous-
and dollars, and by imprisonment not
less than six months. and not exceeding
one year."
The affect of Mr.. Littlsfela's amend
inents to the above section is to establish
a minimum tine Of $500. and TO make the
punishment both Dne and impris onment.
instead of tine or Inn prisonment.
Similar changes are made In Section
2, which would be made to read as fol-
lows:
EVERY person who shall monopouze.
or attempt to monopolizs. or combine or
oonspire with any person or persons, to
monopolIze any part of the trade or com
merce among the several states, or with
foreign nations, shall be deemed guilty
Of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction
thereof, shall bs punished by fine Of
not less than $500, and not exceeding
5000. and by imprisonment not less than
six months and not exceeding one year.
The same changes are carried through
the third sect on which declares contracts
In restraint OF trade illegal and provides
for Furnishing those engaged In them.
This section Of course is applicable to
trade between the states and in the terri
tories, and foreign trade.
In Section @ minimum limit Of dam
ages IL established;
ANY person who shall be injured in
his business or property by any PERSON or
corporation by reason Of anything forbid
den or declared to be unlawful by this
act, may sue therefor In any circuit court
Of the United States In tho district In
which the defendant resides or is fonnd
without respect TO the amount In con-
trovsrsy. and shall recover threefold the
damages by him Sustained: provided the
minimum SUM recovered shall not TO less
in any case than S25C, and the cost Of
suit, including reasonable attorneys
fee."
An amendment to section brings the
agents, oficsrs and attorneys Of corpora
tions and associations within the scoops
of the act.
Ar. Littleflold proposes also to add q
rew section, as follows:
"It shall be the duty Of the Attorney
General Of the United States and OF the
several District Attorneys to cause all
persons, corporations or associations vio-
latings snyEf the provisions Of this act,
t. DO promptly prosecuted therefor. and
to enforce all Of the penalties herein
before imposed TOR this violation Of any
of the IroSisions Of this act.