The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-09
TWO ANTITRUST BILLS.
Prepared by General Knox :
Introduced by jenkins.

Washington, Jan. 9.-Two antitrust
bills prepared by Attorney General
Knox have been introduced in the house
by Representative jenkins, chairman of
the judiciary committee. These bills are
said 10 represent the views of the adj
ministratiOn on the question, being
along the lines of the suggestions con-
tanned in Mr. Knox'g letter to Senator
Hoar and Mr.. Littlefeld.
One of the bills amends the Sherman
antitrust law, to strengthen and per-
feet it to meet the views of the attorney
general. the chief feature being a pro-
vision that it shall be unlawful for any
person to offer, grant or give or solicit,
accept or receive any rebate, concession
or service in respect to the transpOrta-
ton Of any property in interstate or
foreign commerce, whereby sucn prop
erty is transported at less rate than
that named in the published tariff of
the carrier a fine of s. 900 being pro-
vided; and that the circuit courts of rhe
United States are invested with Jurlsdfc-
ton to prevent and restain such re-
bates.
The second bill provides for the APP
pointrnent of a commission to carry out
the provisions of the Sherman act. as
it is proposed to have it amended 1t Is
provided that the commission shall be
a bipartisan affair, but the bill as in
trOduced leaves blank the number of
commissioners to be appointed, the
length of their service and the compen-
sation they are to receive. The bill con-
fers on the commission powers some
what similar, though much stronger
than those possessed by the Interstate
commerce commission.
Representative Jenkins said last night
regarding the measures: They were
drawn by the attorney general and rei-
resent the views of the president and
the attorney general on the subject of
trusts The bills will both have my
support in the house. When I say that
do not want to be understood as haV-
ing surrendered my convictions that the
only way to efficiently curb the trusts
is through an amendment to the con-
stitution- But I feel that it is my duty
to subordinate my personal views to the
policy of President Roosevelt in secur-
ing any remedial legislation he desires
Sections 1 and of the bill to amend the
Sherman law provide that it shall be IN
lawful for any person or persons to
offer grant or give. or to solicit, accepS
or receive any rebate. concession or
service II respect to the tranSpOrta ton
Of any property in interstate or foreign
commerce by any common carrier sub
ject to the act to regulate commerce,
whereby any such property shall by any
device whatever be transported at a less
rate than that named in the tariffs pub
/ lished and fled by such carrier as is
required by said act to regulate COM
mefce. F. cry person who shall offer or
give, or solicit. accept or receive any
suen rebate. concessions or service shall
be deemed guilty of misdemeanOr and ora
CONVECTION thereof shall be punished by
fire OF not less than $4,000
Sec. 3. If any Joint stock company
corporation, or combination, or any agent
thereof shall solicit, accent or receive
any such rebate, concession or service
as is herein above declared to be IN
lawful il shall be unlawful thereafter
to transport any article owned or con-
trolled by such company, corporation or
combination, or produced or manufac-
-tured by it, by WhomsoeVer. the same
may be owned. or controlled from the
state within which such article is pro
duced or manufactured. If any such
joint stock company. CORPORATION. or
combination shall offer, Grant or give
any special prices, inducements or ad-
Vantages for TIE sale of articles pro
duced, manufactured owned or con-
trolled by it to purchasers in any par
tcular locality in order to restrict or
destroy competition in that locality in
the sale of such articles, it shall be IN
lawful thereafter to transport any ar
ticle owned or controlled by it. or pro
duced or manufactured by it. bv whom
s0ever the same may be owned or con-
trolled from the state within which such
article is produced, manufactured or
controlled, provided, however that the
prohibition in9-osed under this section
shall not apply to any article purchased
bonafide before decree made in oursu-
ance hereof against the joint stock com
pany, corporation or combination pro-
ducing, manufacturing or heretofore
owning or controlling the same; and
provided further, that even after decree
any such article may be relieved from
the prohibition imposed under this sec
ton if the owner thereof shall show to
the satisfaction of the court having jur-
isdictiOn Of the matter as hereinafter
provided. that such article was purchas-
ed bonaf1de, without notice and within
30 days after the entry of such decree
Any transportation company and any
/ officer, agent, or representative thereof