The sun., 1903-01-20
The Turning Down Of Sulxer.

The Sulxer publicity scheme was 10
jected in the House OF Representatives
on Saturday last by vote Of 90 to rs. It
was offered a. an amendment to tho bill
creating Q Department OF Commerce
and Labor. All the Democrats present
at tho time voted for the Sulzer amend
ment, and all tho Republicans voted
against it.
Mr.. SuIzER had studied the subject
OF trust-represeion on lines quite inde-
pendent Of those followed by Mr.. LIT
TLEFIELD, Senator HoAR, or the Attorney
General. He had reached the conclusion
that the existing Sherman law would be
entirely adequate, and that prosecu-
tions under that act could be made
effective, II the Department Of Justice
were only enabled to get at the facts
through the agency Of a bureau Of
ipquisition. His amendment established
such Q bureau In connection with the pro-
posed new executive department. Mr..
SuLzEI said on Saturday:
Adopt this amendment offered By me for pub
lios,y regarding the srusts and monopolies. make
!, part Of this bill 50 that II win soon become q
law and the Attorney General will GO, all the facts
he wants and on,ciai facts that will be evidence
sutaciens to win every case against every trus,
violating the law
The publicity contemplated by Mr..
SULzRIs amendment consisted Of an
nual statements from corporations en-
gagged in interstate or foreign commerce
Of their capital, debts, obligations due
to them from officers, assets and methods
of valuation Of the same, gross earnings.
surplus available for dividends and divi-
dends actually declared, increase Of as
sets since last report. names, addresses
and respective holdings Of stockholders,
stock issues since last report, nance and
addresses Of officers, location Of trans
fer or registry Offices, and proportion Of
goods going into interstate commerce.
In addition to these facts, the corpora
ton would have been obliged BY the law
to Ale with the bureau regularly every
year the following certificates Of its inno-
cence or confessions Of its guilt, q the
case might be:
question has not. during the period covered By the
said report. received any rebates. drawbacks.
special rates or Discrimination. advantages or
prsfsrsnoes by money payments or otherwise. from
any railroad. pipe line. wstsr carrier. or other
trahsportseoa company. or u any such have been
received, or given. stating when. from whom. on
what account. and IN what manner they were so
received. With ali other details necessary 70 full
understanding of she Transaction.
- A statement that the corporation has not
nxsd prices. OF done any other act with . view 10
restricting trade or driving any cempeutes out
OF buAnsa.
- A statement that the corporation u or 10 not
party 70 any contracs. combination or conspiracy
In the form Of trust or otherwise In restraint OF
trade or commerce smoas the several states or
Territories or with foreign nations"
This disclosure Of business and this
plea OF innocence or confession OF guilt
were to be supplemented by any ad-
ditionL information which the bureau
might require from the corporation and
the same having been approved by the
bureau, were to be published in the news
papers at the expense Of the corporation.
The fine for failing to report Immediately
upon the bureaus demand was fixed by
Mr. SULzER at from to 10 per cent.
Of the annual gross earnings for each
day Of recalcitrance. The penalty for a
false report was TO be from to 20 per
cent. OF the gross earnings for each un-
true statement. There were also pro.
vi'ions for further special inquisition
into the affairs OF any suspected trust,
for the enforcement OF the demands Of
the bureau by the Federal courts, and
for tho acceptance Of the reports Of the
bureaus examiners In regard to any
corporations methods as prima focie
true and as competent evidence in
prosecution.
We have been thus particular in de-
scribing the rejected measure so in
dustriously and elaborately wrought out
by the once impetuous young Demo-
cratic statesman from tho Eleventh he
cause ii will impress most students a.
conservative In contrast with the output
Of some of SUIAER's rival trust-busters
on The Republican side. Whatever may