Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-19
Little1eld Bill Is Reported to
Upper House From the
Judiciary Committee
PLATT OF CONNECTI-
CUT OPPOSES 1t
Bill is Given Wider Scope Than it Had
as Passed by the House-Platt and
Clark Registered Votes Against the
Measure.

Washington, Feb 17-Soon after
the senate met today Senator Hoar,
from the committee on judiciary. re-
ported the Littlefield antitrust bill as
amended. Platt, of Connecticut, who
is on the committee, stated that it
was not the unanimous report, and
that he was opposed to the measure
He said that a large proportion CT the
bill had been more wisely and appro-
priately treated in legislation recently
enacted and that the new feature con-
tanned unconstitutional provisions.
Scope Enlarged.
The antitrust bill as it passed the
house prohibited persons engaged in
violating the new law from using any
of the means of interstate commerce.
This purpose is retained in the senate
amendment, but the scope of the
measure has been enlarged. The new
section provides:
.'First-When the capital stock of such
corporation has been fixed at a sum great
er than the sum actually paid in in cash
or in property at its actual cash value, I'M
less the excess has been actually subscribe
, ed by bona fde subscribers. and is subject
to call in the manner provided by the law
I or the state where ol2tlli'Hf"l.
"Second-When the pa:a up capital
stock of such corporation has been in
creased by the purchase with It's own stock
of the stock of other corporations at >
value in excess of n fair cnsh value OF
the latter. or paid for with its own stock
at a valuation less than Il fair cash value.
'.'Phird-When the paid up capital stock
of such corporation has been increased by
the purchase with its own stock ut par or
Hess of properly at 4 valuation based on
earning capacity and good will. when such
! valuation is in excess of the cost of dupll-
eating said property. if the property he
manufacturing or producing plants. rail-
ways or steam vessels, or is in excess of
its fair cash value if the property mines.
real estate, or any class of unimproved
property
The house bill awards damages three
fold to persons or corporations under the
provisions of the proposed act. The COM
mittee struck ont the word ''threefold,
providing only for damages and cost of
suit
Only two votes were cast against the
final motion to report the bill These
were given by Senator Platt. of Connecti-
cut, and Senator Clark, of Wyoming.
| Senator Nelson offered Il substitute for
the entire bill specifically declaring against
mergers on the part of combinations, but
| it was not accepted
Grant Pension.
The house bill was passed by tho
senate granting a pension of $50 per
month to the widow of the late Rep
resentative John n W. RUMBLE of
Iowa, who was captain of volunteers
in the civil war.
Fire in the House.
Just before the house met today a
slight blaze in the flooring east of the
reserved gallery was discovered The
| floor had become ignited from defec-
| tive fue The blaze was soon eXtin-
| guished and the members suffered no
| inconvenience.
To Consider Naval Affairs.
The house adopted special rule for
the committee on rules, making in or
der the legislation reported. in the ma
val bill for the increase of the person
mel of the navy and an increase in the
| limit of the cost of the naval academy.