Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-19
Mr.. Littlefeld's Aim.

There is no secret about Representative
Littlefield's position on trusts. He has
studied with care the subject ever since he
entered Congress three years ago. His
present views are well founded and in the
main may be taken to form the basis of the
legislation to be urged next winter to
which the administration is expected to
lend it's support.
Mr.. Littlefield will aim first OF all, to es-
tablish beyond all question of doubt fed
eral control of all corporations engaged in
commerce between the states, and to
broaden the scope of the Sherman anti
trust law.
Second, this once established he will at
tempt system of publicity that will ena-
BILE the government at all times to obtain
information of the standing and doings of
corporations engaged In Interstate traffic
Third. the imposition of a tax on such cor
porations doing an interstate business as
have outstanding capital stock unpaid in
whole or in part
Fourth, the prevention OF indiscriminate
Increase of capital stock of such CORPORA
lon. unless such increase appears to gov
ernment authorities warranted by financial
standing.
Bill of Last Session.
Mr. Littlefelds ideas Of establishing un-
questionable federal control over combina-
tions doing an interstate business were
largely embodied in bill introduced at the
amend the
Sherman antitrust law, for the purpose Of
strengthening 1t at those points where it's
operation has been found by federal author
tiles TO be weak or open to doubt.
This bill will form the basis of next win
ters effort to put more power into the Sher-
man law. 1t amends the first section Of
that law, under which Attorney General
Knox proceeded against the beef trust by
making combination or conspiracy in re-
straint Of trade crime instead of mis-
demeanor. 1t also amends the first, second
and third sections of the Sherman law by
making conviction of violation punisha BILE
by fine and imprisonment instead of by
fine or Imprisonment. thus removing the
option from the courts.
Four sections are added to the Sherman
law. one of which provides that any common
carrier or transportation company which
shall knowingly transport the property of a
combination found to be Illegal shall be
subject to sever penalties. to be recovered
| by the United States by an action brought
In court. Another OF the new sections
provides that no person in any proceeding
under the provisions of the act shall be ex-
cused from attending. testifying produc-
ing books. The other sections define the
courts in which such action shall be taken
and the method OF procedure.
Mr.. Littlefields views on the question OF
publicity coincide with those Of President
Roosevelt, as already made known in his
public utterances, and the President is said
to be satisfied with the last bill on this
subject, introduced by Mr.. Littlefield on
March II. which was a substitute for bill
of the same general nature introduced last
December.
This, 81 general. provides that every cor
poration engaged in interstate commerce
shall the 1st of September of each
year file returns with the Treasury Depart
ment which give all the details of its or
ganization and, IL consolidation the name
| of the constituent companies, amount and
par value of authorized stock the amount
| issued and the amount paid in. 1t also pro-
| vtdes that the exact financial standing, in
Guiding the total earnings, operating ex-
| penses and dividends declared, shall also
De made known to the Secretary of the
| Treasury at the same time In other
words. all the books of corporation do
! ing an interstate business shall be open
| to the officials of the government
This Will be the amount of the publicity
| legislation to be urged next winter
The taxation features were also included
| in the publicity bill, which provided for
| a tax Of per cent per year on the capi-