Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-18
FUNDS TO FIGHT TRUSTS
House Votes Half Million to Aid War on
h~onOpOlistio Combines,
PROPOSAL PASSES WITHOUT OPPOSITION
only Discussion IL as to Best Means 60
Strengthen Original Motion SUBJ
mitted. with Result that Large
sum IL Appropriated.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 17.-Mr. Bartlett,
a Georgia democrat, during the considera-
tion Of the legislation appropriation bill in
the house sprang an amendment to appro-
pirate $250,0OO to enforce the Sherman anti
trust law and to direct the attorney general
to proceed against all violations.
Although such a provision was plainly
amenable to a point Of order, not a mem
Der IN either side raised objection. Both
sides wheeled into line and all agreed that
some such action was advisable.
Some Of the republicans, however, raised
objection to the looseness OF the amend
ment and Mr.. Hepburn Qa.) offered as a
substitute in the language OF the bill he
introduced on the opening day to approprite
$500, 900 for the enforcement Of the law.
This was further strengthened to make the
appropriation Immediately available, and
as amended the substitute was agreed to
without division. The legislative bill was
passed practically as It came from the
committee except for this amendment.
Motion is Specific.
The Hepburn amendment as adopted is
as follows:
That tor the enforcement of the pro-
visions OF the act of july 2, 1890, the sum
any money In the treasury not heretofore
appropriated to be expended under the di-
rection OF the attorney general in the EN-
plyoment OF special counsel of the depart
ment of justice to conduct proceedings.
suits and prosecutions under said act in
the courts Of the United States.
Provided, that no person shall be prose-
cuted or be subjected to any penalty OF
forfeiture for or on account of any trans
action, matter or thing concerning which
he may testify or produce evidence, docu-
mentary or otherwise, in any proceeding,
suit or prosecution under said acts; pro-
NlOG0. further that no npTEnn 81 fnafffNinu
shall be exempt from prosecution or pun
ishment for perjury committed in so testi-
diately available.
When the house convened a bill was
passed to extend the act Of June 6, 1900,
which authorizes the sale Of stone and
timber for use in the Indian Territory, so
as to provide for it's sale to railroads parts
Of whose lines are in the territory.
The speaker laid before the house a
letter from Governor Smith Of Maryland
notifying the house Of the presentation by
the state CT Maryland nf the statues of
Charles Carroll of Carrollton, one of the
signers of the Declaration of independence,
and John Hansen, president Of the CONT
mental congress. These are now in statuary
hall.
A resolution was adopted setting aside
Saturday, January 81, after 8 p. m, for the
eA6TClseS IN connection WIN J0e accept
ance Of these statues. The house then re-
suned the consideration Of the legislative
appropriation bill.
Mr.. Bartlett (Ga.) offered an amendment
appropriating $3.50, 900 to enable the attor-
ney general to prosecute the yiolators OF
the antitrust laws.
Mr.. Hepburn Ia.) offered a substitute
increasing the amount TO $500. 900. Mr.. Can
non (Ill) endorsed the latter amendment
Mr.. Hepburn said the whole country was
a~gitated over this subject.
Mr.. Bartlett wanted Mr.. Hepburn to in
corporate in his amendment a provision d.
reoting the attorney general to proceed
with prosecutions, but to this Mr.. Hepburn
objected, because it contained a reflection
on the attorney general.
Mr.. Bartlett said the attorney general
should be criticised because he had not en-
forced the antitrust laws. He said there
had been no representative of the peoples
interest In the White House cabinet or on
the federal bench In the fight against the
trusts.
Mr.. Grosvenor (O.) said the Sherman
antitrust law was a republican measure,
while a democratic administration had cast
doubt upon its constitutionality. Mr.. Hep
burns amendment was adopted without
division.
Without further amendment the bill was
passed The committees then were called.
The unfinished business was to prohibit
military and naval bands from competing
with civilian bands.