The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-06
Bill to Pay Library Architects Ad-
 dItiOnaI Money Defeated
.uTTLEFIELD'S BILL FAVORED
Most Important HlII Passed Was One to Adjudicate In Court of Claims the Claims of Certain
 Importers.

Washington December 5.-The house divided today on bills on the private calendar. The most important bill passed was one to adjudicate in the Court of Claims of certain importers of steel blooms who, between 1879 and 1882, paid customs dues equivalent to 45 per cent ad valorem, when the correct rate should have been 30 per cent. About $S50,OoO Is involved.
 A bill to pay Smith, Meyer & Pelz, architects of the congressional library $50,OO0 additional compensation, was de- feated.
 A bill was passed authorizing the fol- lowing persons to accept presents and decorations from foreign governments
 Capt B. H. Mccall, United States Navy; Drs. Eugene wasdin and H. B. Geddings, United States Marine Hospital Service; Henry E. Alfred. w. A. Taylor, H. W. Wiley. M. A. Carleton and John l. Shulte of the department of agricult- ure; John A. Okerman of the Mississippi river commissions: Casper s. Crownin- shield, United States commercial agent; Miss Anna Holman Smith and Lieut.-Col. F. H. Pipps At 4:45 the house adjourned until tomorrow.
 LlttlefleId's Bill.
 The subcommittee of the judiciary committee to which was referred anti trust bills, reported favorably to the full committee today on MT. Littlefelds bill providing for giving publicity to the af- faris of commercial combinations with certain amendments.
 Acting Chairman Jenkins of the judi cial committee appointed a sub-commit- tee today consisting of Representatives Littlefield of Maine, Overstreet of In- diana, Powers of Massachusetts, DeAr- mond of Missouri and Clayton of Ala bama, to which all antitrust bills in- cluding the publicity bill, nave been re- ferred. A meeting of the committee Is called for today and tomorrow. The pub licity bill, as amended, provides that every corporation, joint stock company or similar organizations engaged in in- terstate or foreign commerce, and every such corporation which shall hereafter be organized shall file with the interstate commerce commission on or before Sep tember 1 of each year, returns, stating among other things it's name, date of or ganization, where and when organized, the statutes under which organized, and if consolidated, the names of the con stituent companies and the same in- formation concerning them. If the con cerns have been re-organized the original corporation or corporations is to be stated with information concerning them.
 It also provides that the authorized stock, shares into which divided. par value, whether common or preferred, and distinction between each; amount issued and outstanding, amount paid in- how much, if any, paid in cash, and how much, If any, in property-and if paid in property a description and cash mar ket value of the property at the time 1t was received in payment shall be stat ed. The indebtedness, it's nature and for what purpose incurred is to be given; also a statement of the assets at their present cash market value, giving the elements upon which the market is based.
 It also requires that the total earnings and income operating expenses, interest, taxes, permanent improvements, net earnings, dividends declared, with rate during the year preceding the first of the preceding July salaries of officials and wages of employees be disclosed. It is provided further that the TedSurer or other officers of other concerns affected by the bill, having the requisite knowl- edge, shall answer on oath all inquiries that may be made in writing under the direction of the interstate commerce commission relative to its financial con dition or to its capital stock. Such answer is not to be used as evidence against the per son making 1t except in prosecutions under the proposed act.
 A tax of 1 per cent per annum Is im- posed on so muck of the capital stock outstanding which is not fully paid In cash or other property at it's full cash market value, and provision made for collecting the tax.
 Any concern contemplated in this bill falling to make the return as required under this bill, and any concern failing to pay a tax imposed, Is to be restrained on the suit of the United States from en- gazing in interstate or foreign commerce It is made the duty of the attorney gem eral, at the request of the interstate commerce commission, to enforce all pro- visions of the proposed act, and suit may be brought in any district court of the United States at the election of the at- torney general where an offending con cern has a place of business.
 Provision is made that the interstate commerce commission shall prepare and publish a statement showing a list of corporations and disclosing their condi- tion. The bill does not apply to any con- cern the amount of capital stock of which does not exceed s500,o00