The Savannah morning news., 1903-02-18
WILL DIE IN SENATE.
is Made for LIttIeheId,s
Antitrust Bill.
BY R. NJ. Larner.


Washington, Feb. 1.-THE mast
week has been notable in legislation
for the completion of the so-called
antitrust programme of the admins
tration. The Littlefield antitrust bill
was favorably considered by the Sem
ate Committee on Judiciary following
its passage by the House, but it is rec
ognized on all hands that it will die
in the Senate. and will never reach a
vote there.
The criticism of the Administrations
trust programme has already begun.
While President Roosevelt has got the
most he could under the circumstances
and in the face of the opposition that
confronted him in the Senate. there is
a very general opinion that what Con-
gress has done will really amount to
but little. Federal Judge Grosscup of
Chicago, Republican and a very pop
ular man, set the pace in criticisms
Saturday, when the ink with which
the President signed the new Depart
1nent of Commerce bill, was still hard
ly dry, by declaring that the publicity
provision of that measure was hardly
efticacious; it providing, in his judg-
ment, for hardly anything more than
news gathering as to the operations of
big trusts. That provision was Presi-
dent Roosevelt's hobby and went upon
the bill at his earnest solicitation.
There can be no doubt that the pub
ljcity clause will be attacked far and
wide. Republican members of the
House, who have been framing anti
trust Legislation at this session of Con-
gress, have, in private converse tons,
constantly declared the provision coll
Crless.
AS for the Elkins rebate bill, which
has just been sent to the President,
prohibiting rebates and commissions
opinion of those whose Judgment car
ries weight is inclined to be suspic-
ious. The Democrats hitherto OPP
posing nearly every measure Republic
cans have brought fourth, have shown
wisdom in their attitude towards anti
trust legislation. In the House they
have protested that the measures
would accomplish nothing, because too
weakly drawn, but have nevertheless
almost unanimously voted for them.
Thus they have disarmed Repub lean
criticism on the stump in the presi-
Dental campaign to be waged one year
+lO!H the coming summer.
With antitrust legislation off the
boards for this session, Congress is
now chiefly concerned in the two re-
manning weeks in completing the ap-
preparation bills. The House has al
most finished its part of the task, as,
under the constitution, appropri alton
DIS must originate at that end of the
capitol. The sundry civil appropria-
ton bill, which is one of the very larg-
est, has just been passed.
This week the House is givir. con-
slderation to the navy APPROX alton
bill, which is one of the greatest of
the supply bills, and, as it carries d
vast amount of general legislation. is
usually prolific of warm contention
and debate. 1t is already certain that
Congress will authorize a large in
crease in the naval establishment
both in ships and men. There will be
a large increase in officers and move
forward to permit the navy to keep
step with the growth and progress O.
the country.
AT the Senate end, there is consid-
cradle concern over the pending trea-
ties with Cuba and with Columbia as
to the purchase of the Isthmian canal
strip. Both treaties are sticking for
want of time to consider them, the
while Senator Quay of Pennsylvania.
a little, silent man, who moves sedate-
~ about the chamber occasionally,
watches from the corner seat in the
front row for a chance to get a vote.
The opposition will not allow a vote,
and therefore Senator Quay, who has
majority of Democrats and Repub-
licans with him, will not allow the
Senate to 90 much of any other bust
ness. The Democrats are solidly be-
hind him and some fifteen or sixteen
Republicans are also ready to vote
with him if a chance to vote can ever
be had.