The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-22
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Antitrust Bill Discussed-No Pneu-
matte Tube Service.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-For nearly two
hours to-day the Senate had under discus
sion a resolution by Mr.. Jones, of Arkan-
sas. TO discharge the judiciary committee
from further consideration of the antitrust
bill passed by the House at the last ses-
sion and to bring it before the Senate for
consideration. To some extent the merits
Of the measure were discussed by Mr.. Hoar,
chairman of the judiciary committee, Mr..
Plat, of Connecticut, Mr.. Spooner. Mr..
Bacon, Mr.. Pettigrew, MIR. Teller and otn-
ers taking part in the debate. The ma
Jority maintained that the House measure
clearly was unconstitutional. 1hey pro-
tested, too, against taking up so great a
question in the closing hours OF the session.
The resolution hnally went to the calen-
dar.
During the remainder of the afternoon
the postofice appropriation bill was under
discussion. After a prolonged contest the
appropriation for pneumatic tube service
was eliminated entirely so that as the
bill stands now the service will have 10 be
discontinued after the first Of July next.
The old controversy over the special appro-
priatiOnS for fast mail service engaged at
tention the rest of the day. 1t was decided
10 begin holding night sessions tomorrow
night.
During the debate on the antitrust bill
Mr.. Hoar said no senator on either side
would approve the House bill. He pointed
out that the most notorious and wicked
offender under the proposed law would
have only TO get somebody to institute
against him a civil suit TO go absolutely
free. He further directed attention TO the
fact hat the House bill contained a pro-
vision that no labor organization should
be liable to punishment under the proposed
act. He had given hearings, he said, to
labor organizations interested in promoting
this legislation. They had agreed with hin
that his points against the House bill were
we'll taken. Thereupon he had prepared a
very carefully considered substitute for the
House bill. He would be glad TO have it
taken up and passed. Personally, he said,
he would be delighted If the resolution or
Mr.. Jones were adopted and the pending
measure thus brought before the Senate.
Then he would offer his substitute for the
House bill.
Mr.. Plat. of Connecticut. a member of
the judiciary committee. said that with only
eight working days of the session remain
ing and many of the appropriation bills
yet undisDosed of IL would be impossible
do with the trusts. TT is a great question:, -
said Mr.. Platt. TOO large and momentous
a question to be used in the political game
of battledore and shuttlecock, and that is
all there is TO this. l feel that Ii is utter
~ impossible to give this matter at this
session the consideration ii deserves" He
was quite willing that congressional action
should be taken in proper restraint of great
monopolistic enterprises. He did not think
any lawyer in the Senate believed that the
provisions of the House bill were constitu-
tional, but Ii did not follow that some prop
er and constitutional legislation could not
be enacted. 1t was manifest to him that
the only object in bringing forward the
pending re- Tuition at this time was to gain
some political advantage and was not
actuated by any honest purpose.
Mr.. Pettigrew arraigned the Republican
party for, as he said, bringing forward the
bill before a presidential campaign for the
purpose of deceiving the people.
Mr.. Spooner said he was not willing that
the judiciary should report a
great measure like this without positive
recommendation, and such recommendation
did not seem possible. All members of the
committee realized and conceded that the
evils ought TO be remedied as soon as posi-
BILE. So far as he knew only one member
OF the mmi had expressed entire APP
prevail of the House bill. II am not will
ing" he said. Ito demagogue on this cues
ton. L am not willing to pass a bill here
that is evidently unconstitutional"