New-York tribune., 1903-02-11
THE PUBLICITY FEATURE.

constitute the Senate antitrust programme are
to operate when put to actual test was a ques-
tiou which provoked considerable discussion
among legislators and lawyers to-day. Criticism
of the Nelson publicity amendment was MADE
on the floor of the House by three Democratic
members, the most vigorous being that OF KEEP
resentative Richardson, Of Ala bama. a member
of the conference committee making the report
Mr. Richardson said it was the ultra dilution
Of a hvpodernic dose an artistically framed
section TO defeat the control and management
of trusts a raving farce; and 20 help it along an
effort has been made to make it appear that 1t
is not liked by the Standard Oil trust
There is still doubt in the minds of some con-
servative Republicans as TO the desirablrty OF
any publicity whatever for industrial corpora
tions It is argued that even the Nelson pro-
vision announces no fundamental principle re-
garding the use be made Of the Information
to be collected and that at least IN this respect
II is decide ilv hazv. This power in the hands OF
a designing politician as President, IT IS said.
could be used to the great detriment of the
business of the country However. it is
earded as more of provision for governmental
study OF the commercial conditions of the coun
try than as a publicity feature for the use of
corporations
THE ELKINS BILL
faeticn by members of the Interstate Commerce
c,on,n,i+tae II is declared TO strengthen the
nreeant 1au for the regulation of commerce in
tbree essential features. First. to the Grim
ina1 remedies The present law is so worded
that a railroad corporation is not liable for
rfo,,+ine i+s published tariffs. but only IFS
,gan,s Second the shipper under the present
,a,,, - liable 70 punishment for receiving re-
h+as ,,,be, tba concession obtained by him has
+ha Aeact of giving him lower transportation
than soma other shipper actually pays for like
services In other words. the receiver of
r.ba+e under the present law is not liable unless
- &c shovr, that ne has received a lower rate
than the pub,ished tariff and has also been the
only, simmer TO receive such a rate. Third, the
i,,nrisonment feature of the present law has
worked in actual practice to great disadvantage
o.. .ha. Interstate Commerce Commission in OBJ
..irire evidence of discrimination in rates. The
rtIirs h;il ,s declared by Chairman Knapp of
,ha commission to cover completely these three
defects in the present law. 1t makes the cor
liable criminally. and il makes the
sbinner liable for taking soliciting a dis
elimination in rates
The House committee amended the Elkins bill
IN make it conform TO its original draft; that is.
bv giving the Attorney General supervision over
the suits to be instituted. instead of the Dis
,rict Attorneys provision which inserted
in the bill at the suggestion of Democrat IN
the Senate committee. The amendment requires
ali suits brought under this act and the ACT
TO Regulate Commerce, rs wei as the sherman
Anti Trust act. 10 be instituted by the Attorney
Genera! in the name of the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
conference report on the Department OF Com
Continued second page