The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-07
The House Votes on the Meas
ure Today.
A DIVE INTO THE DIM PAST
LihIefsld Traces the History of Trusts Back TO
1900 Before Christi -kichn Takes
Part in the Debate DE Arm,nds
Powerful Speech.
(By the Associated Press.)

washington, rep. O.-Genefal ueDdIe
on the Antitrust Bill closed in the
House shortly before O'Clock this af-
ternoon. The debate had proceeded
since 10 o'clock in the morning. More
interest was aroused as it proceeded and
the closing speeches by Mr.. DeArmond,
Dem.), OF Missouri, and Mr.. Littlefeld,
(Rep), of Maine, were delivered to-
crowded galleries and a very full at
tendance on the floor. The closing, how
ever, was devoid of brilliant pyrotechnics
and sensational clashes.
The other speakers today were Messrs.
Lawrence, (Rep), of Massachusetts, Par
ker, Rep), of New Jersey; Tyrrell,
Rep), of Massachusetts; Jenkins,
(Rep), of Wisconsin; Douglas, (Rep),
of New York; Henry, (Dem), of Mis-
souri,; and Kleberg, Dem), of Texas;
Fleming, Dem), Of Georgia.; Kitchin,
(Dem), of North Carolina; McClennan,
Dem), of New York Williams, CDem.)
of Mississippi. Tomorrow for three hours
the bill will be considered under the
five minute rule, after which the final
vote will be taken.
Mr. Jenkins, of Wisconsin, Chairman
of the judiciary Committee said that the
power of Congress was as limited upon
this question as that of any common
council He quoted many authorities in
support of his contention that Congress
had no control over commerce, that its
power was strictly limited to regulation.
In reply to a question he said the
power OF the government might be inVok
ed 10 suppress undesirable corporations.
Mr. Fleming of Georgia, said he would
vote for the bill, amended or unamend
ed, but criticised the weakness of the
various sections. He pointed out partic-
ularly that the bill only compelled cor
porations hereafter organized" to file
returns. This, he said, would be in the
interest of old corporations by placing
them in possession of complete informa.
ticn concerning future organized toI
fight these in existence. Mr.. Fleming
suggested an amendment to section five
so as to make it applicable to water
transportation.
He said that Mr.. Nevin, of Ohio, and
himself, both members of the Judiciary
Committee, had concurred in a minority
report favoring 1.-The striking out of sec
tion seven. which prohibited a carrier
from transporting trust made goods.
He was opposed to it because it placed
the responsibility of determining what
were trust made goods upon the carrier
Mr. DeArmond, of Missouri led the
general debate for his side. He said
he realized how difficult it was to deal
adequately with the trust question. HUI
man greed with the best human intellect
at it's command was not to be easily
baffled, and therefore solution of the
problem required sincere and honest en-
deavor. He was one of those, he said,
who believed that a revision of the tariff
could accomplish much. He did not be-
lieve that the tariff sheltered all trusts
Still, if it would break the bones of any
of the giant trust, why he asked, should
the remedy not be applied? Some on the
other side, he said, openly admitted that
the tariff should be revised in certain
particulars. Why should not the bars
be let down when the tariff has been
made a sheltering place and a breeding
ground for trusts His side proposed an
amendment to clothe the President with
the power to suspend duties on trust
made articles whenever necessary to pro-
tect the public. Why, he asked, would
not the other side join in the enactment
of that amendment? DO you prefer,
he asked, addressing the Republican side.
"to trust the trusts rather than your own
President?"
eve are rot seeking to destroy" Mr..
DeArmond said. but to preserve; to
act as bulWark to prevent the concen-
tration and constantly multiplying mon
opoly which will finally crush out the
Ampripan ipdiUidna1
and shadow OF what was once his proud
American citizenship"
Mr. DeArnond said the bill reported
from the Judiciary Committee was quite |
a different measure from that originally |
introduced by Mr.. Littlefeld. when the |
gentleman from Maine, started oslt,
said he, "he had blood in his eye and a |
tomahawk in his hand, but by the time |
he and his colleagues caught up with |
the trusts they were smoking the pipe |
of peace The sky was clear and the /
pickings were to continue good for the
trusts democratic laughter and ap-
plause). If it was desired to do some
thing effective, Mr.. DeArmond said, the |
minority amendment should be adopted. |
Corporations should be made amenablo |
to local courts as individuals were. The !
taxing power of the government should |
be employed as it was to suppress State |
banks. The bankruptcy act could be used |
to throw trusts into court if they vfo-
lated the law
He believed" he said that members |
should be seriously, without seeking party |
advantage, strive to place an effective |
law upon the statute books The ad |
ministration and the Republican majority