Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-09
57TH CONGRESS-.
The Antitrust Passed by a
Unanimous Vote.
All Democratic Attempts to Place
Teeth" in Bill Fail.
The Vote Stood PAS to 0, Not Dis
senting Voice.

Washington, Feb. S.-By a unani-
nous vote, 245 to 0, the House, Satur-
day, passed the Littlefield bill. The
closing chapter was devoid of excite
ment. For three hours the Democrats
offered a series of amendments, de-
signed 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 was the political
ranks broken. 1t was on an amend
ment offered by Thomas of Iowa, to
make the filing of returns incumbent
upon all corporations mandatory. On
that amendment seven Republicans
voted with the Democrats.
The bill as passed requires corpora
tions hereafter organized to file re-
turns covering it's articles of incorpora-
ton, 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.
The commission is given authority
in it's discretion to call for similar re-
turns from existing corporations doing
dIl Interstate UuSlieSS.
The commission is give power to
compel an answer to questions and a
fine of not to exceed $4,000 is imposed
for failure to obey the commission in
this respect. Rebates by carriers is
made punishable with fine of not less
than $1,000 and corporations violating
the provisions of this section are for
hidden the use of the instrumentalities
of interstate commerce.
Carriers are prohibited from know
ly transporting articles produced man
ufactured or sold in violation of the
Sherman act. In some cases of prose-
cutions no person is to be excused from
testifying on the ground that such tes-
timony would tend to incriminate him.
but for such testimony the witness is
not to be prosecuted.
The circuit courts are given jurisdic-
ton in cases of violation and it is made
the duty of the district attorneys to in
stitute proceedings to prevent viola
lions and individuals damaged by vio-
lations are given authority to sue.
In the absence of Speaker Henderson,
who is confined to his hotel with a sore
throat Lacey of Iowa, presided over
the House.
General debate on the antitrust bill
having closed, Friday the bill was
read for amendment under the five
minute rule. Littlefield, in charge of
the BILL offered an amendment tC sec
ton one, which was adopted, providing
that suits for failure to make returns
under the bill can be brought wherever
the defaulting corpora ton has a place
|of business"
De Almond, Mo-, offered the minority
amendment to this section, providing
that all corporations with capital of
100000 or more doing an interstate
business nor or hereafter" organized,
should make annual returns.
The bill of the committee he explain
ed only required returns from corpora
tons hereafter organized" except
where called for by the interstate COM
merce commission. He thought all
corporations should be placed on an
equal footing in this regard.
Overstreet, Ind, speaking for the ma
iority, said that it desired to steer
middle course" The bill would compel
future corporations to file returns, but
lodged with the commission the discre-
ton to call for reports from existing
corporations.
The amendment was voted down, 70
to 96.
A number of other amendments were
offered to the first section, and all were
voted down. De Almond, Mo-, finally
moved that debate on Section l close
and his motion led to a sharp personal
clash with Littlefield.
HAS the gentleman taken charge of
the bile" asked Littlefield.
Il will say to the gentleman from
Maine" replied DeArmond, "that I dc
not think there is any suggestion that
anybody is taking charge of the bill.
and there might be some reasons to sug-
gest that not very much of anybody has
had charge of the bill l wish to reach
point where amendments which he have
prep AIRED will be voted on, and / do not
care to play into the hands of the gen
tleman from Maine or anybody else who
may be disposed to fritter away time on
this OCCASION"
Iittlefield-"Let me ask the gentleman
does he undertake to intimate that the
gentleman from Maine has been respon-
sible for any of these delayS?"
DeArmond-"I undertake to say that the
suggestion of the gentleman that some
body was trying to take charge of the
bill' is entirely gratuitous; and the better
sense OF the gentlemen from Maine ane
Maine ought to make him aware of the
fact 1Ht le,G s5sgs3 $3.50
Littlefeld-"I trust the gentleman
knows that the gentleman from Maine
did not intend to be personally Offensive
to the gentleman from Missouri at least
if he does not appreciate that fact tht
gentleman from Maine desires to sc
state
Clayton (Ala) warmly commended Sec
lions 5, g. and II and declared his belief
that the bill contained so much good that
it would never become a law
All minority amendments were present
ed and voted down.
At the expiration of the three hours al
lowed for the consideration of amend
ments under the special order the COM
mittee of the whole arose and without
intervening motion the vote was taken
upon the passage of the bill.
The roll was called upon the demand of
members on both sides of the House and
not a single vote was recorded against
the bill It was declared passed by a.
unanimous vote. 245 to 0.
Immediately afterward. at 3.35 P. M.