The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-03
IN DETAIL.


Associated Press Report
WASHINGTON, June 2-Only one vote
was cast in the House to-day against the
LittIeheld antitrust bill to amend the
Sherman act of 1890 TO make IL more efec-
tive in the prosecution of trusts and COM
binations. their agents, officers or attor-
neys. Mr.. Mann Rep., ILL., cast the neg
alive vote. The bill. according to the state
ments. OF the Republican leaders, goes to
the limit OF the authority of Congress
under the Constitution. AL the Demo-
cratic minority amendments except one
were defeated. That was an amendment
declaring that nothing in the act should be
construed to apply to trades unions or
labor organizations. All except eight Re-
publicans voted for 1t.
The bill amends the Sherman antitrust
law SO as TO declare every contract or
combination in the form of trust or con-
spiracy In restraint of among
the States or with foreign nations illegal
and every party to such contract or COM
bination guilty of a crime punishable by
= fine of not less than 500 nor more than
5000 and by Imprisonment not less than
six months nor more than two years. 1t
provides that any person injured by a vio-
latton Of the provisions of the law may
recover three-fold damages. The definition
Of person and persons in the pres
ent law is enlarged so as to include the
agents, officers or attorneys of corpora
tions- For purposes of commerce 1t de-
c;ares illegal all corporations or associa-
tons formed or carrying on business for
purposes declared illegal by the common
laws: provides that they may be perpetual
ly enjoined from carrying on interstate
commerce and forbids them the use Of the
United States mails. 1t provides for the
production OF persons and papers and con-
fers jurisdiction upon United States circuit
and district courts for the trial of causes
Under 1t and authorizes any person, firm.
corporation or association tp begin and
prosecute proceedings under IL.
Before proceeding TO consideration of the
antitrust bill the House disposed of some
roatine business.
Mr.. Watson. of Indiana. was appointed
one OF the board OF visitors to the Naval
Academy In place of Mr.. Grout, resigned.
The Senate amendments to the sundry
civil bill were disagreed to and the bill was
sent to conference.
Mr. Bartholdt, of Missouri, asked IL op-
p~ortunity would be afforded to test the
sense of the House on a motion to concur
in the st. Louis exposition appropriation
Mr. Cannon replied in the affirmative.
"A bill was passed to authorize the imme-
date transportation of dutiable goods to
Astoria, Ore, after (which Mr.. Ray, chair
man OF the judiciary committee, demanded
the regular order-the antitrust bill. I'm
der the order thirty minutes on a side were
allowed for general debate.
Mr.. Overstreet. who drew the report on
the bill. occupied the time for general de-
bate on his side with an explanation of the
proposed amendments TO the Sherman anti
trust law, which Ii contained.
Mr.. Fitzgerald (Dem., Mass.) ridiculed
the idea that the Republican party had
done anything TO curb the trusts. Only
yesterday, said he. the leader of the Re-
publican party-the chairman of it's ma
t1onal committee-defended in the Senate
one or the greatest of the trusts-the ar
mor-plate trust-eounseling the govern
ment 10 comply with its extortionate de-
mands.
Mr.. Terry, of Arkansas. denied that the
pending measure exhausted the constitu-
t1onal power Of Congress-, pointing to the
minority amendments pending, which. he
SAID, would e~nectually crush trusts and
monopolies.
After further remarks by Messrs. Swan
son OF Virginia, briggs of New York. and