The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-12
Status of Trust Legislation.

Congress was scarcely In session before
numerous contingent of statesmen came
forward with antitrust measures. Our
own Senator Nelson was the first In the
field in the senate with a bill that never
seemed to have much Of the authors vi
tally. Then Senator Hoar came forward
with a bill much discussed at the time,
indeed, it was called the most important
and pretentious piece of legislation pro-
posed against the trusts. but it has been
buried under the accumulation Of the ages
Of six weeks. In. the house there were
trust bills galore Of all species and varie-
ties. 1t is no wonder, in view of this
mass of embryonic legislation. that the
public is a little uncertain as to just what
has been accomplished UP to date.
Aside from favorable action on the prop
osition to appropriate 100000 to meet the
expenses of rigid enforcement Of trust
legislation, congress has up to date &C
:complished this:
First-The senate has passed the Elllins
bill. which, though primarily an interstate
commerce bill, is made by the Clapp
amendment to strike at both transporter
ton and other trusts, through provisions
designed to stop the practice of granting
rebates or secret rates. A fine Of not to
exceed $50, 900 is by this bill imposed on
railway companies granting rebates. Some
trust busters regard it with suspicion
because it provides no imprisonment PEN
atty for officials Of companies violating
the act. -
Second-Last Saturday the house passed
the Littlefield bill, which is sweeping
measure designed to deal with all aspects
of the trust question in a single law. It
enlarges the powers Of the interstate
commerce commission, and makes thai
body sort Of supervisor Of trusts. II
provides for publicity, for punishment fol
the granting Of rebates; excludes from in
terstate commerce violators of the law
arranges for proceedings against the
trusts by iniunctions, and has a curious
clause permitting parties injured by lille.
gal trust practices to collect punitive
damages to three times the extent of the
actual injury. Mr.. Lttlefeld, it will bt
observed, is very jealous Of his reputation
as leading ''trust-buster," and is no
pleased because the administration doe!
not favor his measure.
: Third-Both house and senate hav'
adopted as a part Of the new department
of commerce bill. which now awaits tn
presidents sigma ture, what is known a
the Nelson amendment. This creates
bureau Of commerce. with a commissions
of corporations charged with the duty o
investigating the affairs Of all corpora
lions, except common carriers, engaged j
interstate aud foreign commerce. 1t
believed that this bureau will be able t
bring out some very valuable informatio
as to trust methods, and thus act both a
a check to Objectionable practices and a
an agency for gathering data for futur
legislation.
The Elkins bill and the Nelson amend
ment go together very we'll, but both
them conflict with the Littlefeld bill. Tt
probabilities are that congress will inall
pass either the Elkins bill with some moo
ifcations, or the Littlef1eld bill wit
sweeping changes to conform to the fa'
that the Nelson amendment is now,
soon will be, law. -,
Between the Elkins bill amended, pc
haps, and the Nelson amendment, a CO,
sentative but at the same time a positi'
step Will be taken in trust legislation.