Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-22
SENATE HAS TRUST BILL
Senator ETkins Introduces Measure Approved
BY Attorney General
BRIBERY SCANDAL is INVESTIGATED
Subcommittee Hears Evidence
of Reported Attempt TO influence
Representative by Means OF
Handsome Check.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Ex-senator Elkins
today introduced a bill which covers the
features of antitrust legislation, so far as
1t relates to railroads. II contains the
provisions which have been recommended
by Attorney General Knox as to the pun
ishment Of those who receive as we'll as
those who give rebates. 1t provides for the
punishment Of corporations by fine instead
Of imprisonment Of ~oficialsi also FOR regu-
lations to prevent determinations.
The Elkins bill iS the result Of confer
enees among various senators, most Of them
being members Of tbs Interstate commerce
committee.
Its purpose is to separate interstate COM
merce and railroads from other trust legis-
lstion. The interstate commerce commit
tee has been unable to agree upon meas
ures which have been pending before II re-
lating to pooling and fixing rates by the
Interstate Commerce commission. The new
bill leaves these contested questions out
and covers features which have. been most
conspicuous In the preparation Of anti
trust legislation, The bill was referred to
the committee on interstate commerce, of
which Senator Elkins 10 chairman, and 1t Is
the Intention OF the committee to take 1t
up at an early day. ,.r
Among those who have been consulted in
the preparation Of the bill besides Mr.. Knox
we're Senators Aldrieh. Cullom, Foraker,
Clapp and others.
Among other provisions of the bill are
the following:
The willful failure to file tariff rates and
observe them subjects the road to a fine
Of $1,000 to 100000 granting or receiving
rebates subject the corporations or persons
to the same fine.
The Interstate Commerce commission can
institute suits in the United States courts
for supposed infractions of the law. 1t is
the duty OF United States district attorneys,
under direction Of the attorney general, to
institute and prosecute suits provided for
in the bill. The bill gives the courts power
to compel the attendance OF witnesses, both
carrier and shipper, who are required to
answer on all subjects relating, directly or
indirectly, to the controversy; the courts
also can compel the production Of all books
and papers, but all witnesses shall have
the same immunity from prosecution and
punishment as now provided by law.
-Quay' scores a Victory.
In the senate, at 4 O'Clock this afternoon,
Mr.. Cullom moved, to proceed to executive
business. The motion was resisted by Mr..
Quay, in charge of the omnibus statehood
bill. The motion resulted: Yeas, 26; nays,
81. The detailed vote follows:
Yeas-Aldrich, Alger, Allison. Bard, Bev-
eridge. Burnham. Burrows, Clapp, Cullom,
Deboe, :. Dietrich Dolliyer, Fairbanks,
Frye Gamble 9Hsuna, Hoar. Lodge, Me-
comas,7 MilIard.yN elson, Proctor, Quarles,
Simon, SpoOners Wetmore-2e.
Nays-Baeon. BATE, Berry, Blackburn,
Burton, Carma9kly CLARK (Mont.), Clark
(wyo.), Clay, Cockrell, Culberson, Dubois,
Foraker, Foster s4Eaj, Gsllinger; Gibson,
Hansbrough, Heittehas- Harris, Jones (Nev.),
Jones Qrk.)c MGCHmber. McLaurin MISSY
mallory. Martlnla Mason. Morgan. Perkins,
Pettus. Quay. Rawlins, Simmons, Stewart,
Taliaferro, Turner. Vest, Wellington-37.
Reason fersHAdvancins Rates.
The Southern railroad hes fled with the
Interstate Commerce commission an an
swer for its request for its reasons for ad-
vancing freight rates on grains, dressed
meats and other commodities. 2
L., Vice President r0ulp says that the figures
are not advanced ahoveHthe standard rates,
and explains that statement by showing
the competitive relations between the't trunk
lines and the Southern. The Chesapeake q
Ohio railway, in it's answer, says increase
OF cost of transportation is the reason for
increase in rates. '''f
President OPPOSES Statehood.
President Roosevelt had further confer
ence today with senator's respecting the
omnibus statehood bill. The situation az II
developed in the senate yesterday is re-
garded by the president and leaders in the
senate L. serious The president Is taking
no active part in the statehood bill contest,
but he is concerned lest II should result in
the sidetracking other important legisla-
tion. He has indicated, therefore, his op-
position to the omnibus bill. but whether
his opinion regarding the measure will
ihpel him to veto II in case 1t were passed
is regarded as doubtful.
Probe Bribery Scandal,
The subcommittee Of the house commit
tee on naval affairs which Is investigating
the charge made by Representative Lessler
IN. W that hi had been offered q bride,
viii make at least a partial report tomor-
row. .g.- ~ests1-a =. p
Mr.. Lessler was again before the sub
committee today at both the morning and
afternoon sessions and submitted TO a Wig
orous eross-examination. II was with some
reluctance that he disclosed names In con-
nection with the charges he made of i'm
proper attempts to influence his vote, but
finally, on pressure, he gave two names,
One of the persons named, he said, threat
ened him with defeat at the last election II
he did not vote as desired on certain prop
o%sitions. The other name he used in con-
nection with his charges of an attempt to
influence his vote by peeuniary considera-
tiCn. 20
Mr.. Lessler's charges are said to have
lacked dehniteness. The substance Of his
story was not tina he had been actually