The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-16
TO CONTROL TRUSTS
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PRO-
POSED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE.
Long Report in Favor of Giving Con-
gress Full Power to Regulate
All Corporations.

WASHlNGION, May 10. - Inc trust
question led to a very animated dis
cussion in the House committee ju-
dietary to-day, constitutional amendment
finally being adopted by party vote CIV
ing Congress power to define, regulate,
control, prohibit or dissolve trusts. monop-
olies combinations, whether in the form
of corporation or otherwise. This amend
ment and a bill restricting trusts were
framed some time ago by a special SUBJ
committee on trusts. After many delays
the work of the subcommittee was brought
before the full committee to-day with a
view to getting the trust question before
the House. After several attempts to
amend the resolution. which were defeated
on party lines, the committee adopted it,
also by party vote. the Democrats voting
in the negative.
The constitutional amendment as agreed
to and reported to the House proposes the
following as Article 10 of the Constitu-
ton:
Section ]. All powers conferred by this
article shall extend to the several States
the Territories, the District of Columbia
and all the territory under the sovereignty
United States
Sec. 2. Congress shall have power TO
define, regulate, control prohibit dis
solve trusts, monopolies or combinations,
whether existing in the form of a corpora
ton or otherwise. The several States may
continue to exercise such power in any
manner not in conflict with the laws of the
United States.
SEC. 3. Congress shall have power to
enforce the provisions of this article by
appropriate legislation"
The majority report favoring the consti-
tutional amendment says in part: In our
judgment 1t is the plain duty of those in
trusted with the lawmaking powers to pro-
pose and submit to the people OF the states
such remedy as will enable Congress TO
restrain and, If need be, repress absolutely
all illegal and dangerous combinations
which restrain trade or destroy competi-
ton, or which may unjustly harass or OPP
press labor. 1t is to be expected that the
broad and comprehensive proposition en-
bodied in this joint resolution will meet
strong opposition and be subject to some
bitter denunciation. But aggregated capt.
tai, IL honest in Its purposes, not only Will
not oppose, but will approve and sustain
a proposition that is designed to restrain
only where wrong Is being done and that
compels submission to the government of a
just and intelligent people.
Labor has Its best friend in aggregated
capital. corporations and combination when
fairly and honestly formed and conducted.
II is not the existence, but the abuse OF cor
porate powers and combined capital that
merits condemnation and denunciation and
demands a remedy. Such abuses exist.
Hence the necessity for the existence of a
power-a power of absolute suppression IL
may be given In given case
1.-THE power Congress now has is largely
one of annoyance We may strike light
there
press or prohibit such combinations or
monopolies. A power to harass merely had
better not be exercised at all. Congress
should have power to maintain an open
| field for honest competition in all Industrial
enterprises Throughout the entire Union
When a corporation or business association
| becomes monopoly or when any combina-
| ton or corporation of men associated un-
| der any form or name for Illegal or i'm
| proper purposes becomes menace TO the
welfare of the people throughout the Union
Congress ought to possess the power tc
Contcol and repress II. This is the purpose
| and scope of the proposed amendment.
1T is necessary and it is wise. The gen
| eral welfare demands that this power exist
| liberty when illegal trusts. combinations
| conspiracies and monopolies crush fail
| competition in industrial enterprises, con
| troll production and prices and thereby op
| press and to a degree enslave the people.
| The report is very long 1t argues II
| cxtenso against the proposed remedy Of
placing truSt-made goods on the free list
/ which remedy, Ii is asserted would be
| worse than the disease in striking dowr
| protection in an experimental effort to de
stroy a monopoly or repress combina
tion."
| Xxx
Representative Overstreet to-day tried t.
| secure unanimous consent for the consid
| Grafton of the bill to cause Julius r. Fred
erick. of indianapolis, and three others
| survivors of the Greedy expedition to Lad,
| Franklin bay, twenty years ago, to be en-
/ listed first-class sergeants in the sigma
| corps and then placed upon the retired lis
as such. Mr.. Bailey, of Texas, who is op
| posed TO all retired lists for the army o.
| navy or anything else. objected, and thu
| prevented the bills immediate considera
| ton. Mr.. Overstreets next move will be I,
| try to get the bill before the House unde
| suspension of the rules, some day when
| motion of that kind will be in order TIL
| bill has already passed the Senate and will
| pass the House whenever a vote can b.
| had.
| Senator Fairbanks to-day presented pc
| tition from Henry Hoffman, druggist o
| Elwood, asking the repeal of the stamp ia,
/ on proprietary medicines.
/ Assistant Attorney General Boyd ha
rendered a decision in the case of expires
| companies, in which he holds that they ar
| not liable to tax as brokers by reason o
| their issuing money orders and travellers
checks.