Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-01-13
ANTITRUST LEGISLATION

ANTITRUST LEGISLATION
Senator Hoar's antitrust bill is like
ly to hold prominent place among
the numerous bills that have been in
troduced. since the converting of the
last session of the national legislation,
for the control of the large corpora
tons. This bill includes provisions for
establishing the authority of a fed
eral government, to prevent the grant
ing of rebates, the distribution of pref
erences, the suppression of competi-
ton and certain other evils, that are
simple and direct In addition to these
considerations, Senator Hoar's posi-
ton in congress is of such prominence
that any scheme of which he is the
author naturally is received with great
interest by the members of that body.
However, the bill that has been in
troduced by Senator Hoar, is to say
the least, unique, in its provisions.
One Of the principal provisions of the
Hoar bill is that the officers of any
corporation shall agree, as one of the
conditions of his concern going into
business, that they will be personally
liable for the debts of the corporation
should it violate any of the provisions
of the antitrust law. Senator Hoar re-.
CARDS this provision as entirely within
the limits of the constitution and such
that the men at the head of the great
corporations will not recklassly disre-
gard. The provisions which it is thus
sought to protect against violation, re-
quire publicity of certain features of
the business, exact the right of attorn-
ey general to inspect the books and
contracts, prohibit rebates, preferen-
ces and driving other concerns out of
the market The bill also contains
provisions against evasions by forbid
ding concerns to engage in interstate
or foreign commerce. the majority of
whose stock is held by corporation
which conducts business in: violation
of the law.
Senator Hoar's bill though it I'M
doubtedly contains many good spoinfs,
yet it would be presumption to assert
that it is the best antitrust bill that
could be framed. until the many tbills
now before the committee have been
thoroughly discussed and compared.
The best bill for the proper and Just
control of the, trust question will doubt
less contain provisions that are con
tanned in many OF thezbills already sub
mitted to congress. 1t is not to be
doubted that whatever bill may be fin
ally submitted to the national legisla-
ture will be far from ideal, butait will
contain the features that those most
capable to judge deem the, strongest.
However, with the many divergent
views entertained by the members of
both houses and the antagonism to
antitrust legislation, the eight weeks
remaining before the adjournment of
this congress is liable to prove too
short for satisfactory adjustment of
the differences.
Whatever may be the result of the
labors of the members of the fifty-sey-
enth congress, the close of this session
will show some definite and marked
progress toward the provision of ra-
tional and efficient solution of trust reg
ulation. In fact, the increased dis
cussion Of the trust question will be
one uf the means of effecting the pas
sage of some proper legislation. There
is already marked change in the tone
Of the public discussion, from the pos
sibilities of the evil or good there may
be in trusts to a definite examination
of some particular scheme of legisla-
ton. So far as congress is now CON
cerned it will for the most part be a
practical discussion of the question;
out of which will in the end come ac-
ton.