The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-02-10
ANTITRUST BILL PASSES
The House of Representatives by a
Unanimous Vote after Debate.
POLYGAMY DISCUSSED IN SENATE

| The closing chapter was devoid Of ex-
citement. For three hours the demo-
Gratis offered d series OF amendments
designed to place teeth in the bill
but they were either ruled out of order
or voted down by strict party vote
On only one vote were the political
ranks broken. 1t was an amendment
offered by Mr.. Thomas, republican.
Iowa, to make the hnnS of returns IN
CumUenJ upon all corporations manda-
tory. On that amendment, seven re-
puDIiCanS VOIed with the democrats.
The bill as passed requires corpora
tionS hereafter organized" to file re-
turns covering its articles of incorpo-
ration. financial composition, condition,
etc, with the interstate commerce
commission. on penalty of being re-
strained from engaging in Interstate
commerce. prescribeS penalties for false
returns, etc. i he commission is given
authority in its discretion to call for
similar returns from existing corpora
tIOnS doing an Interstate business. The
commission is given power to compel
the answer to questions and a fine of
not TO exceed $4,000 is imposed for fail
ure TO obey the commission in this re-
spect. Rebates by carriers is made
punishable with fine OF not less than
$1,000 and corporations violating the
provisions of this section are forbid
den the use of the instrumentalitieS of
NdIIlSIS are
prohibited from knowingly transport
ing articles produced, manufactured or
sold in violation of the Sherman act. In
cases of prosecution, no person is TO be
excused from teSufying on the ground
that such testimony would tend to in
criminate him but for such testimony
the witness is not to be prosecuted. The
circuit courts are given jurisdiction in
the cases of violation and it is made
the duty of the district attorneys to in
Sutute proceedings to prevent viola
tiOns and individuals damaged by Vio-
lation are given authority to sue.
General debate on the antitrust bill
having closed yesterday, the bill wan
read for amendment under the five
minute rule. Mr.. DeArmOnd. of Mis-
souri,. offered the minority amendmen.
to the first section. providing that all
corporations with a capital of 500, ,0OU
or more doing an Interstate business,
now or hereafter" organized. should
make annual returns. The bill of the
committee. he explained, only requires
returns from corporations. hereafter
Organized'' except where called for by
the Interstate commerce commission.
He thought all corporations should be
placed on an equal footing in this re-
gard.
Mr.. OyerStreet, republican, Indiana,
speaking for the majority, said that it
desired to steer a middle course" 1t
would compel future corporations to
file returns. but lodged with the COM
mission the discretion to call for re-
ports from existing corporations.
The amendment was voted down. 20
to &c.
MIR. Sulzer, democrat, New York.
charged that clever trust lawyers OF
New York, had prepared the pending
bill. He said that one time he thought
Mr.. Littlefield was sincere. but that
he was now reluctantly compelled to
give the opinion that the bill of the
trust buster from Maine,' was seven
pounds lighter than straw hat" Mr.
Sulzer said he believed the president
was honestly trying to accomplish
something. The difficulty was that the
party would not support him. The bill
was as Intellectual as putty blower
would be to stop an elephant on the
rampage"
Mr.. Henry, democrat, of Texas, offer
ed as a new section an amendment to
place steel rails, binding twine, paper
some other articles on the free list. To
it Mr.. Littlefield made ~oint Of order.
a number of other amendments were
offered to the first section and all were
voted down.
Mr. DeArlnond. OF Missouri, hnally
moved that debate on section one close
and his motion led to a sharp persona
clash with Mr.. Littlefield.
Has the gentleman taken charge OF
the bill?" asked Mr.. Littlefield.
Il will say to the gentleman from
Maine" replied Mr. DeArmond, that
do not think there Is any suggestion
that anybody is taking charge of the
bill" and there might be some reasons
= suggest that not very much of any
bod has had charge of the bill 1
wish to reach n point where amend
ments that we have prepared Will De
voted on: and I DO not care to play
80 No lam n
| Maine or anybody else who may ne
disposed to fritte- away time on this
| occasion"
Mr. LfttlefieId: Let me ask the
gentleman, does he undertake to init
mate that the gentleman from Maine
was responsible for any of these de-
| lays?"
Mr. DeArmond: Il undertake to say
| that the suggestion of the gentlnan
| that somebody was trying to take
| charge Of the bill is entirely gratuit-
Gus. and the better sense of the gentle
man from Maine. and the better man
| uers Of the gentleman rrom Maine
| ought to make him aware OF that fact"
| Mr.. Iittlefield II trust the gentle
man knows that the gentleman from
| Maine. did not intend to be personally
| offensive TO the gentleman from Mis-
| souri,: at least If he does not appreci
ate that fact. gentleman from Maine
| desires to SO state"
| Mr.. Clayton. of Alabama, warmly
| commended Section 5, 8. and IL and
| declared his belief that the bill contain
| ed 80 much good that it would never
| become a law
All minority amendments We're pre-
| sented and voted down.
| At the expiration of the three hours
| allowed for the consideration of amend
ments under the special order. the com
| mittee of the whole rose and the bill
| was passed.