The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-26
WOULD CURB
The TRUSTS
Mr.. Fulton Presents a Sweep
ing Measure.
WOULD CRUSH THEM OUT
Southwest Members Bill is More Dras-
tic ard Sweeping in its Provisions
Than Any Ever Offered in
Virginia Legislature Before.
WOULD CRUSH THEM OUT

The most sweeping antitrust measure
ever offered in Virginia Legislature
was presented by Mr.. Fulton, OF Wise, In
the House on yesterday, and If 1t should
become law, Its effect would not only be
to re-enact the provisions of the Wharton
anti-compact insurance law. but to pre-
vent everything which snacks of under
standing agreement or combinations be-
tween persons, firms or corporations In all
lines Of trade, commerce and manufac-
ture. The bill was referred to the General
Laws Committee, where 1t Is expected to
have long and peaceful sleep. but Its
bare introduction has caused quite q
furry about the Capitol. Tho first sec
ton Of the bill, which Is quoted below,
Will give some Insight into its sweeping
nature:
''Be It enacted by the General Assembly
OF Virginia, That every pool. trust, agree
ment, combination, confederation. under
standing or conspiracy, entered into or
created or organized by any corporation
organized under the laws Of this or any
other State, or any partnership or indlyid-
ual or other association OF persons. what
soever, with any corporation. &C.. to reg
late, control, or fix the price Of any article
or articles OF manufacture, merchandise
mechanism, commodity, convenience or rs-
pair or any product Of mining, Of any
kind or class, or any article or thing OF
any class or kind. bought and Sold or the
price or premium to be paid for insur-
ing property against loss or damage by
fire, lightning or storm, or to maintain
said price or prices when SO regulated.
determined or fixed and all agreements.
combinations, considerations or conspira-
cies or pools, made, created or entered
into or organized by any corporation. &C..
to fix tho amount or limit tho quantity
OF any article or thing whatsoever or Of
any article OF manufacture, Go. Is hereby
declared illegal"
MUST NOT REFUSE.
It is made violation of this section
for any person, firm &C., to refuse to buy
or sell from or to any Nother person,
firm. &C.. for the reason that the latter
Is not member of the trust and there
are stringent provisions against threats or
boycotts.
To encourage or be a party to such COM
binations, &c.. as are defined In the first
section of the bill Is made q conspiracy
to defraud," as Is also any move looking
to the lessening OF any of the articles
enumerated or free and full completion
In the manufacture and sale,
The Circuit Courts are given original
Jurisdiction and 1t Is made the duty OF
the Attorney General and attorneys for
the Commonwealth to institute and
prosecute proceedings to prevent,
restrain and punish all violations
OF the act Three fold damages, costs and
attorneys foes are to be allowed those
injured by violations OF the act and the
offending person. firm or corporation Is
made TO for.a!. from IS to 500 per day
during any violation.
Beyond this. the right to again do bust
ness in Virginia is to be forfeited and per-
sons violating the net shall be deemed
guilty Of felony. for which the punish
ment shall be Imprisonment in the peni-
tertiary and fine not to exceed 81, 900.
1t Is made incumbent upon the Corpora
ton Commission to inquire annually of
persons, firms and corporations In Vir-
gtnia as to whether or not they are violat-
Ing the act and the latter are required to
submit most eweepng affidavit on the
subject. Tho bill is q very lengthy ono
and consumes twenty pages OF closely
typewrltten matter. The general Inn
preston is that 1t will never pass.