Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1902-12-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent)
Washington, Dec. Sth, 1902.


AS if to demonstrate its complete
approval of the President S message,
Congress has Immediately gone to
work to frame such trust legislation
as Mr.. Roosevelt has indicated as
desirable. AS it is deemed wise to
embody in the proposed law a tax
feature, not particularly for thepur-
pose of raising revenue, but in order
that there may be no question as to
the constitutionality of the enact
ment. 1t has been determined to
permit the House Committe on
Judiciary to frame and report the
law. The committee is already ac-
lively engaged, the trust bill of Rep
resentative Littlefield of Maine hav-
ing been taken as basis and hav-
ing been favorably reported by the
subcommittee to which it was first
referred.
Mr.. Littlefeld's billin its present
shape provides for that publicity
which the President has designated
as so desirable, by requiring every
corporation or similar institution
with capital stock in excess of
$500, 600 to make annual returns
showing all the important data con-
cerning its business, to the Inter
state Commerce Commission. 1t
further provides for a tax of | per
cent, on all stock issued in excess
of what is regarded as actually paid
up in cash or its equivalent. While
the Interstate Commission will
conduct the details of enforcement
the Attorney General is instructed
to prosecute all cases which the
Commission reports as failing to
comply with the provisions of the
law. Suitable penalties are, of
course, provided for infractions.
In this connection, the bill of Rep
resentative Hepburn which provid-
es for an appropriation of $4,000
to enable the Attogney General to
adequately prosecute such cases
against the trusts as he deem it
necessary to bring, becomes OF the
utmost Importance.
Most of the Republican leaders Of
the Senate have signifi ed not only
their willingness to further anti
trust legislation in accordance with
the Presidents recommendations,
but predict that such a law will be
enacted. Scnotor Hoar has said
that he feared the short session
would not afford an opportunity to
do the subject justice but, if a salts
factory law is passed by the House
it is not likely that the Senator
from Massachusetts will stand in
its way.
Senator Lodge has introduced a
bill providing for the reduction Of
the tariff on imports from the Philip
pines, from 70 to % per cent, of the
Dingley rates. This bill is in
entire accordance with the views of
Secretary Root and Governor Taft
and will doubtless become law.
1t is further regarded as paving the
way for greaterliberality with Cuba.
Another important measure affect
ing the Philippines, which Senator
Lodge will bring in at an early date,
will provide for gold standard in
the islands. Nice-Governor Luke
f. Wright, who is in Washington
speaks in glowing terms of Ameri-
can administration in the islands
and states that, when the two bills
referred to have been enacted, the
Philippines will experience an era
of prosperity heretofore unknown
in the islands.
The only cloud on the Republican
sky is furnished by the Omnib US
Territorial bill. Senator Beveridg(
and his committee after looking
over the territories, reported the bill
with the recommendation that only
Oklahoma be admitted to statehood
The New England Senators all op
pose the admission of the territorie:
but many of the western Republi
can sentiment is growing in tht
South, and with the personal popu
larity Of the President to inciteit
together with the fact that the Re
publican party fathered their state
hood, it would be easy to make 0
the three territories steadfast ad
hcrents Of Republican principles
Senator Quay has 10y no mean
given up the fight he has been max
ing in favor Of the territories an,
there promises to be sharp con
test on the floor Of the Senate bcior
the matter Is disposed Of.
From Former Citizen.
~. IN fgf.44H fifIff4F4 1 Ff..fTt.F.