The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-11
Mr.. Littlefield, of Maine, the Only Re-
publican Who Opposed the Meas
ure ON It's Passage.
WILL HELP BUST" TRUSTS
NELSON'S CORPORATION PUBLICITY
AMENDMENT RETAINED.
Denial by Speaker Henderson that
He Is Attempting to Defeat
Administration Bills.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.-The House to-
day adopted the conference report on the
department of commerce bill by a vote of
251 to 10. One Republican, Mr.. Littlefeld,
and nine Democrats voted against this ac-
ton. Several Democrats took the position
that the Nelson amendment to the bureau
of corporations was weak and Intellectual
attempt to provide the machinery for cor
poration publicity. Mr.. Mann Qll.), on be-
half of the Republicans, contended on the
contrary that it was better measure of
publicity than had been presented in any
other bill.
In course OF speech against the bill Mr..
Richardson (Ala) said he did not be-
lieve the Nelson amendment was aimed at
the trusts. He said 1t was travesty upon
what it Is claimed to be. 1t was, he said, IAN
ultra dilutioned Dose" It's purpose he de-
clared was not to authorize the President
to proceed against the trusts but simply to
secure information upon which he could
base and recommend action. This. he said,
was a pure response to the bold threats
which were heralded abroad that an extra
session would be called unless effective
legislation was enacted. 1t was a pretext
and subterfuge."
Mr.. Ball (Texas), who followed Mr..
Richardson, ridiculed the programme Of
the administration regarding antitrust
legislation. The administration, he said
was represented as anxious to secure the
passage of the Nelson and Elkins bills and
it was pretended that the Standard Oil
Company was sending kilograms to promi-
nent senators urging against its passage
He did not believe ii. 81 do not believe"
said he, that John ID. Rockefeller or any
other trust magnate has raised protest
against the bills. They are no more harm
full to trusts than would be Mrs. Winslow's
soothing syrup"
Mr.. Adamson (Ga) said that while he
realized the Nelson amendment was "a
delusion and a snare, thinner than thin
air." yet as notice had been served that it
was the only measure on the programme of
''the trust busters it would receive his
vote. The previous question then was
ordered and the roll was called on the
adoption of the conference report.
The report was adopted, 251 to 10. Those
voting in the negative were: Ball, De Ar
mond. Fleming, Lester, Little, Reid,
Robertson, Shackleford and Vandiver,
Democrats. and Littlefeld. Republican.
The remainder OF the Ody was OeNOteQ TO
the sundry civil appropriation bill. Mr..
Cannon, chairman of the appropriation
committee, gave notice that at the proper
time he would move two amendments, one
to provide for the purchase of a site and
the erection of a three-story, 400-room office
building for members. to be connected with
the Capitol by a subway and to cost $S, ,SO0,-
600, and the other an appropriation of ST.
$4,000 to carry out the original plans for
beautifying and enlarging the main wing
of the Capitol. The notable feature of the
general debate on the bill was a speech by
Mr. De Almond on the Hanna bill to pen
sion ex-slaves. He spoke in sarcastic vein,
but the subject assumed serious phase
when Mr.. Richardson, of Tennessee, said
that adventurers in the South were using
the bill to impose on the ignorant
credulous negroes and called on Mr.. Can
non to give assurance that the passage of
such a measure was not contemplated. This
assurance Mr.. Cannon gave.
AS il is almost assured that the bill Great
ing the new department cf commerce will
become a law. President Roosevelt is re-
ceiving pressing requests for appointments
to positions in the new department. Ii is
expected that after the pending bill is en-
acted Congress, by supplemental legislation
will provide appropriations for the operat-
ing expenses and for the salaries of the
officials