The news & observer., 1901-02-23
NO ANTITRUST LEGISLATION
Effort Fails to Bring Bill Passed by House
Before Senate.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Feb. 21.--For nearly two
hours today the Senate had under dis
cussion resolution by Mr.. Jones (Ark.),
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 SEN
ate for consideration. To some extent
the merits of the measure were discussed,
Mr.. Hoar, Chairman of the Judiciary
committee, Mr.. Platt Comm, Mr.. Spoon
er, Mr. Bacon, Mr.. Pettigrew, Mr.. Teller
and others taking part in the debate.
The majority maintained that the, House
measure clearly was unconstitutional.
They protested, too, against taking up
so great question in the closing hours
of the session The resolution finally
went to the calendar.
The Postoffice Appropriation Bill was
under discussion After prolonged
contest the appropriation for pneumatic
tube service was eliminated entirely so
that as the bill stands now the service
will have to be discontinued after the
first Of next July.
The old controversy over the snecial
appropriations for fast mail service en-
gagged attention the rest of the day. 1t
was decided 10 begin holding night ses
sions tomorrow night
Mr. Jones resolution was taken up.
Mr. HoGr, Chairman OF the Committee on
Judiciary, discussed the bill lie stated
that no member of the Senate on either
side would approve the House bill after
consideration. He pointed out that the
most notorious and wicked offender un-
der the proposed law would have only
TO get somebody to institute against him
civil suit TO go absolutely free.
Mr.. Platt Comm, a member of the
judiciary committee, said that with only
eight working days of the session re-
naming and many Of the appropriation
b K vet undisposed or, it would be inn
possible to discuss properly what Congress
should do with trusts.
The object of The resolution, he as
serted, was to gain some political advan-
tage.
Mr.. Tillman tS c., said the minority
was willing to meet at o'clock at night
to discuss the antitrust measure.
Mr.. Bacon (Ga), said he believed the
bill was constitutional, in its general
features, although there might be some
doubt as to one or two minor provisions
lie added that the present antitrust
law was almost a nullity because there
was 10 way of enforcing it, but the House
bill did provide machinery which was q
| remedy for the great evils ii was proposed
TO correct.
Mr. Becon said the bill was Repub-
| lican measure; it had come from a Re-
| publican House. If il became a law the
| Republican party would be entitled TO the
| credit for it. Senators on his side so
| regarded it. They recognized he said.
| that the passage of the bill would be of
| 10 political advantage to them. He was
| happy, in some degree, thus to relieve
| himself of any charge of partsanship.
| Mr.. Soooner asked for a vote upon the
Oleomargarine Bill at 3 p. NJ. March End.
but Mr.. Pettus objected.
| The Postoffice Bill then was taken up.
| The Chair sustained the point of order
against Mr.. Masons pneumatic tube SER
| vice amendment of yesterday. Mr.. Carter
reported the amendment agreed upon this
| morning by the Postoffice Committee.
| This provides for the establishment of the
| system in ST. Louis as well as Chicago,
and reduces the appropriation to $225,000.
The annual rental shall not in any case
exceed $4,000 per mile, nor shall any
! contract for such service extend for more
than one year. Mr.. Wolcott opposed it.
An amendment providing that other com
panies beside that now holding the con-
tracts might enter into competition fol-
| furnishing the service was agreed to
IL to II.
The original amendment offered by Mr.
! Carter was rejected as amended. ayes
&C. noes 81.
Mr.. Pettigrew offered an amendment t.