Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-27
CONCEALS PROFITS
House Committee Submits Manifesto on
Trust Evil to Congress,
NEGROES SEEK RIGHTS AS CITIZENS
Claim south Discriminates Against
COIOred Men in All Directions
and Praise Roosevelt for
His Determined stand.

His Determined stand.
WASHINGTON, Jan. ga report pre-
pared by Representative Littleheld to ac-
company the antitrust bill was presented
today by Representative Overstreet Und).
Speaking of the bill reported it says.
The aggregation OF large capital, large
volume Of business on a small margin,
giving fair returns to the capital invested,
with a reduction in price TO the consumer,
Is what is termed the new phase OF modern
Industrial development and the corporate
form of organization, with lis evils OF over
capitalization, is the medium Though which
the development has largely taken place.
Theoretically this looks well and works
well, but the chief ultimate result in which
the public has an abiding interest, the re
duction of. price to the consumer, Is in
practice seldom attained. This result alone
can justify this phase OF Industrial de
Velopment from the public stanC point. IL Is
not believed that any OF these corporations
ever have been dominated by or organized
for the altruistiC purposes of reducing
prices to the consumer The controlling
purpose of such organization is believed to
be, what it naturally would be, the profit
of the parties thereto.
As capital Is entitled TO a fair return the
public is vitality interested in the amount of
capital necessary to carry on a given en-
terprise. Such fair return. is a proper Gle
ment of the cost of the article and the pub
lie must pay for it and the other elements
of cost involved when IT buys the article.
To what extent we are now paying eN-
orbitant prices to produce abnormal re
turns no one can tell, as no reports are now
made to any authority, state or national,
that give any adequate Information on that
point, This is one of the things that this
bill seeks to accomplish. 1t Is through the
facility offered for overcapitalization that
the promoters of great combinations get
their enormous fees.
DISQUALIFICATION furnishes convenient
| character Of the enterprise. II is said that
IL was first employed for that purpose.
There are instances where corporations
have increased their capital 100 per cent in
order that what was really, say a l3 per
cent dividend, would appear to be only =
per cent. and thus avoided the danger of
because they were not receiving in wages
a fair proportion or the earnings of the
Publicity, by creating an intelligent pub
lie sentiment, will go far toward amelio-
rating oppressive conditions. If 1t is a fact
that competitors are ruthlessly destroyed
and prices increased in order that enor-
nous returns may be realized on a rela-
lively insignificant investment and the
searchlight of publicity can be turned
thereon, 1t is doubtful If the persons who
are responsible for such a reprehensible
condition could Withstand the well directed
Indignation that would thus be aroused.
1t is not claimed that publicity is a cure
plication the operation of natural laws
may in an appreciable degree alleviate
existing conditions.
Negroes Seek Rights.
The executive committee of the National
Afro-American Council today urged the
senate to confirm the nomination of DR..
W.. d. Crum to be collector of customs at
Charleston, S. c., and adopted an address
to the country on the race question in
general. The address is signed by Alex
ander Walters, chairman Of the executive
committee; Cyrus Field Adams, secretary,
and William A. Pledge, acting president of
- r.-
The address is in part as follows:
A systematic effort has been inaugurated
on the. part of the south. TO withdraw the
franchise from the Afro-Americans of that
section and to reduce them to a position
of absolute subserviency. 1t has been
openly declared by some OF the most
prominent leaders Of the south that 1t was
constitutions to disfranehIse ~ many Afro
Americans as possible and leave every eau
casian in full possession of the suffrage.
Afro-American been DISTINGUISHED, but also
that q very large number OF Caucasians,
who, previous to tine the ts5 5di0 D eIontio on fbn aye
ceased to register and vote.
We contend for our constitutional rights
on the ground that the, right of suffrage
has been conferred upon its citizens by the
We heartily commend the Afro~Ameri.
cans of Virginia, Alabama. Louisiana and
other states who are seeking REDRESS
through the courts.
We call the attentlOn OF tne country u
a condition of service on many farms In. q
number of southern states resembling the
old peonage system and ask for legislation
we heartily endorse the deliverances OF
President Roosevelt with reference 70 th'
fitness for appointment to office and the
all citizens. regardless OF race or color
He has impaired new life and vigor TO thG
time-honored principles and traditions oil
human rights, and has given hope and IN
spiration TO a people struggling, heroicaily
beneath the burden of hate and proscrip'
tion' We commend Theodore Roosevelt tC
Inc affection and confidence of our people
regardless of party animation.
Americans to Dig Canal.
The senate committee on inter-oceaDiC
canals today authorized a favorable report
on the bill prohibiting contracts in relation
to the Panama canal being granted to any
but American citizens.
Europe Ignores Parcels POstOhlce.
The United States is awaiting advices
from European nations regarding the pro
posed Inauguration OF an internationa
parcels post. None of the countries ap'
preached has responded.
Reduce Philippine Expenses.
A general order in the interest Of econ
omy and efficiency In the Philippines has
been issued by General Baldwin, COM
manding the department Of Visayas. tn
order says that an imperative necessity has
arisen for general reduction throughout the
department in the amounts now paid for
rent Of quarters. storehouses and other
buildings.
1t is intended to move all troops now oc-
cupying stations which are now to be aban-
doned to the sites selected Tor permanent
posts as rapidly as possible, and put them
in camp or cantonment during the con
struction of such posts. Storehouses where
in use are to be reduced or combined and
every foot Of available space employed tc
this end, teltage being used for every pos
sible purpose.
white House Expenses Grow.