The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-12
.OTJEN BILL GETS
FAVORABLE REPORT
This is Measure Prohibiting Giving
Away Prizes In Packages Of Tobacco,
in which Richmonders are
Very Much Interested.
Senators at Sea as to
AIdrich Bill,
BY Walter Edward Harris.

Especial to The Times DIsPatch.)
WASHINGTON. d. c., February IL.
The belief Is growing here that Repre-.
sentative Littleheld is being cruclfed by
tho administration. Tho Maine states.
man was selected by the President to
Introduce in the House an antitrust mea-
sure. Littlefield went to work. and draft
ed measure along lines which he
thought effective, put it through tho
committee, and through the House,
Despite the fact that Mr.. Littleheld az.
rnitted IN debate last week that he BILL,
wlnld not wholly accomplish the end
sought, and that Democrats united in de- 5
claring It a. measure which would do but
little In the way OF curblns the power
of the trusts. It is understood the lnea
sure was much more drastic than Mr.
Roosevelt. and the National Republican
Committee had anticipated.
It would not do to let such q Bill so to
the atatute books. It was decided that
the Nelson amendment to the Depart
ment Of Commerce bill, providing, or pur-
porting to provide for publicity for the 4
\
ed and that the Elkins bill. which has
passed the Senate. and Is now pending
In the House, should be the only ont and
out anti-trust measure adopted at this n
Session The Ell;ins bill iv-ohibits rail-
roads granting rebates t. shipper,. sI
This programme did not suit Mr.. Lit Z
tleceld, who is a great big. straight
forward, kind of a fellow, and he IS said
to have told the President so in pretty
plain words before the session of the
House yesterday. It is even said he told
AR Roosevelt he would go cwer to ths5
House and organize opposition to the
Nelson publicity feature OF the De-
partment cf Commerce bill which should
be strong enought to defeat It.
Confirmation Of the story of this threat
Is found in the fact that Mr.. Lfttlefeld
did vote against the bill. Blu he over
estimated his power In the House SO far y
as the organization OF intra-party oppo-s
sition to the administration Is concern
ed, for not another Republican voted
with him. and had it not been for ten
Democrats he would have voted alone.
Mr.. Littlefields course in the future WrS
be watched with interest. II he proposes
to carry out programme of steady op-
position to the President he has cut o,rs
for himself icy wh:ra viii DO about tha
biggest task he ever undertook
Meanwhile. 1t Will be we'll to remember
the prophecy that the publicity featura
OF the Department of Commerce IEt add
the Elkins bill will be the sum of anti
trust legislation at this session Of Con. &
gress.
PROHIBITS PRIZES
The Committee on Ways and Meana
voted unanimously this morning to report
fnvorably the Often bill. which prohibits
the manufacturers of tobacco from offer
ir,rv x,yiSt> .>S tnk, -
gnrs or cigarettes.
I regard this bill as one OF the most
Important of this session." said Congress-,
man Lamb this morning. '.The practices
of giving prizes with manufactured to-
baco Is, IN my opinion, very Injurious to
the independent manufacturer Of small
means. The tobacco he manufactures
may be Just as good as that made by the
bis company, but he cannot afford to give
away things, and the rich competitor can.
and as a result gets the trade
Furthermore" Mr.. Lamb continued,
"the practice OF giving away articles With
cigarettes puts premium upon the for
can form.'' S5
The bill will be made q special order.
perhaps. for ono day this week. In view
OF the unanimous report OF the commits,
tee. 1t Is not anticipated that there WIN
lie serious opposition to Its passage. II
there be any at all.
Captain Lamb and Mr., Swanson have
worked hard for the measure. MIR. Swan.
son sent a message from his sick-bed
yesterday concerning the bill. Represent,
,ative Tawney. OF Wisconsin. a member OF
tho Committee on Ways and Means. gavs
great aid to the Virginia Congressmen.
ALDRICH MEASURE.
Senator Aldrich. chairman OF the E4-
nance Committee, said to-day he believed
tho Senate would pass the currency bill Il
which he Introduced Monday. Should
the BIN rass the Sonata It's passage by
tho Houso would be practically assured
Democratic and Republican Senators
are apparently at sea regarding the
measure. despite Arr, Aldrich's expres-
sion Of confidence as to It's passage, The
feature ot the blll, practically aholtshipg
,subtreasuries, Is puzzng, A Senator
told me to-day he Was somewhat Inclined
to oppose this feature. as no thought II
would prevent the Government rel!ayina
a money strlngeney, Hnt, like many
others, his mind was not made ulA Soma
tor Martin discusses the bill Very freely,
but Is frank 10 say he has NOT fully de-
cded as to whether no Will vote for Il,
He has received a number OF letters from
Richmond and other points IN Ykstnla a