Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-11
FAVORS THE ELKINS BILL
President is Anxious for Rebate Measure
to Pass House.
HOLDS CONFERENCES WITH LEADERS
Speaker Henderson ~ said 60 Not he
IN Hearty sympathy with Pro-
gram, but Hs VIII Not
Oppose II.

WASHINGTON, Feb. lO.-In order that
the administrations antitrust program OF
Legislation may be rendered entirely sym
m%etrical. 1t is known that President Roose-
welt desires that what is called the Elkins
rebate bill shall be enacted into a law.
That measure was passed by the senate
last week, and is now pending before the
interstate and foreign commit
tee of the house, Of which Representative
Hepburn (Ia.) is chairman.
During several days the president has
been comforting. as opportunity offered,
with prominent members of the house about
the rebate bill. and the subject was con-
sidered at 2 conference at the White House
between President Roosevelt and several Of
the leaders OF the house.
The president alss has had a conference
with Speaker Henderson concerning the
bill. 1t is understood that, while the
speaker is not wholly in sympathy with
the measure, he will not stand in the way
Of it's consideration by the house.
Indeed, II can be stated upon excellent
authority that the speaker. and the commit
tee on rules, OF which he is ex-oficio head,
will authorize, II necessary, a special rule
providing for the consideration of the bill,
after 1t has been reported by Colonel Hep
burns committee.
Such action, It is asserted, practically
would mean the passage of the measure by
the house and It's enactment into law.
Agree on EIkIns Bill.
The house committee on interstate and
foreign today agreed to favor
ably report the Elkins anti-rebate bill with
certain amendments.
The commitfaa racOmmanda an amend
ment to the last paragraph Of section 8,
striking out the words cor corporation" SO
the provision will read: ''But no person
shall be prosecuted or subjected to any
penalty or forfeiture for or on account of
any transaction, matter or thing concern
J ing which he may testify to produce evil
dence, documentary or otherwise, in such
, proceeding"
The committee proposes that section
I three be further amended by the adoption
, OF the following provision: "And provided
that the provisions OF AN act to expedite
the hearing and determination of suits in
equity pending or hereafter brought under
> the acts OF July 2, 1890, entitled an act
to protect trade and m against un-
|, lawful restraints and monopoly, an act t.
regulate commerce approved February 4
1887, or any other acts Fhaving a like pur.
L pose that may be hereafter enacted, APP
proved February -, 1903 shall apply to any
case prosecuted under the direction OF tbs
attorney general, in the name Of the inter,
state commission"
Bank Bill Meets with Favor.
9 The bill introduced in the senate yes
terday authorizing the secretary OF IN,
h treasury to receive other securities thai
United States bonds from national bank
o was under consideration, by the senate
committee on finance today. but the com
mittee adjourned until tomorrow withou
reaching a. conclusion. Members Of tn
committee express the opinion that tn
. bill will be fayorably reported tomorrow.
Assistant secretary of state.
Francis b. Loomis today was formall
installed, In once as assistant ~secretar
of state. It has been arranged that tn
=, incoming assistant secretary shall take u
part OF the important diplomatic work o
the State department in conjunction wit
= a portion Of the consular business.
President Holds Conferences.
Discussion of antitrust legislation wa
continued at the White House today. Presi
% dent Roosevelt has had several conference
s. with senators and representatives concern
ing pending measures, the decision re
volving about the Nelson publicity amend
ment to the Department of Commerce bill
the Elkins rebate bill and the Littlefel
- bill, which was passed by the house o
Saturday.
-, EARLY in the day the president had a cor
"a ference with Mr.. Littleheld. The latte
"A Is urging strongly that his measure /
taken up and passed by the senate.
maintains that while the Nelson amend
~ ment provides for publicity as to some
- the operations Of corporations, 1t does nj
~ 20 so far as his measure goes and not G
4, far as congress ought to go In the matte
Later, Senators spooner and Aldrich hs
w. extended talks with the president abo,
trust legislation. With other congressionj
" callers the president discussed the sui
u" iect. urging upon all, 1t is understood, Il
desirability that congress should enact II
Nelson amendment and the Elkins rebat
measure.
It ia the consensus of opinion amor
members OF congress that both Of tho
rs measures will be enacted into lSw and tn
ty It is scarcely likely that congress will
r. further with antitrust legislation at Il
present session.
"a omnibus Claims Bill.
IL Senator Warren, from the commits
on claims. today reported an omnio'
u claims bill. It carries total direct a
propristions of 100000.
Packers Elect Omcers.
= The Western Packers association tod
''- elected the following officers: PresideT
DR.. C. G. Frazier, Manitowoc, Wis; vi
president, L. A. Sears, Chillicothe, MC
Us secretary treasurer, Ira Whitmer, Bloor
INT inRton, Ill. Executive committee; j. '
OF Cuykendale, Atlanta; L. T. Riser, Hlinoi
Frank T. Stone. Waukesha. Wis.
Root viii Not Resign.
"There is no foundation for the story
declared Secretary Root today. referri
to the publication Of a rumor in New 70
that he will resign his position In t
cabinet after the adjournment Of congress
March 4, and resume his law practice
" New York,
- He said that the report undoubted
nj originated from chance conversations
TO, frequently had with friends whenever
me visited New York. He would be asked