Evening journal., 1903-02-14
LKINS BILL
PASSES HOUSE
tl-Rebate Measure Was
Adopted by a Vote OF
24I to 6
LIE PASSED IN THE DEBATE


washington, Feb. 14.-Under the op-
tion OF a special order which cut
opportunity to offer amendments.
house. after a debate of an hour
terday by a vote of 241 to G.
|sed the Elkins bill to prohibit re.
sss to shippers. The six members
r voted against the bill were Demo-
IS. Mr.. Littlefeld, of Maine. was
sent, but did not vote on either the
} or the bill. The Democrats pro
ed against the rigorous terms of
rule. It had been their purpose.
said, to offer the provisions of the
1eheld bill as an amendment to the
Mr.. Dalzell, of Pennsylvania; Mr..
rstreet and Mr. Hepburn announc-
hat with the passage Of the Elkins
the antitrust legislation for this
sion Of congress would be complete.
ing the debate Mr.. Cochran
M. Of Missouri, branded one of
Hepburn's statements as a "delib-
e lie." Contrary to the usual GUS
this strong language had no Sc
r. Hepburn was speaking of the
Z racter of measures the Democrats
voted for, saying, among other
gs, that they had voted for appro-
n tons under which it would have
Il possible to fine the Pennsylva-
Railway SS,0OO0OO for a single act.
~ would, he said. stop at nothing
n He'd antitrust" Then, while ex-
ming the provisions of the pending
he denied a statement previously
e by Mr.. Cochran that the bill re-
I'd individual officers of railways.
say there is no repeal from first
ast in all this legislation" he was
ng, when Mr.. Cochran sought to
rruPt him. Il prefer not to yield"
a Mr.. Hepburn.
r. Cochran-"The gentleman ought
to refer to the gentleman from
B souri, if he does not want to
81
r. Cochran-'I ought to refer to
gentleman at any time when he
Derately misstates a proposition.
r. Cochran-'T brand that as a de-
ate lie. l did not deliberately mis-
the question
+ Hepburn-"Then ignorantly. The
leman can take either proposition.
there is no repeal of the present
rte making culpable and RESPONSE
s riminally the individual under the
state commerce law"
he remainder Of the session was
ted to the sundry civil appropria-
bill, which was practically COM
+ ed. No effort was made to pass it,
here was no quorum.
s he Elkins bill is intended to regu-
the railways of the country. Il
3 ibits them from giving discrimi-
lg rates and rebates and provides
securing the necessary evidence
he institution of prosecutions by
Interstate commerce commission,
increasing the efficiency of the
mission. The present law pro-
that any director OF officer of a
oration, common carrier or any re-
sr, trustee, lessee, agent or person
,g for or employed by such cor
N tion. who violates the provisions
he interstate commerce act shall
uilty Of a misdemeanor and pun
by a fine not exceeding the sum
900 and by Imprisonment for a
of not exceeding two years, or
10Th fine and Imprisonment. No
lty is aimed directly at the cor
tion itself by the existing law.
Ellins bill does away with the
lty of Imprisonment, and provides
the violation of the law by any
pr. agent or other person acting
he corporation shall be deemed a
ton by the corporation itself, and
subject the corporation offending
fine of not less than $1,000 nor
than $40, 900 for each offense.