The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
House Passes Anti- Trust Bill by Unanimous Vote of
 245 to !
SHARP CLASH BETWEEN
 TIE TWO PARTY LEADERS
Lttlefield Objects to De Armond Tax ing Charge of the Measure and stingIng Reply Comes From
 Democratic Member.

Washington, February By a unani- nous vote of 245 to the house today passed the antitrust bill. The closing chapter was devoid of excitement. For three hours the democrats offered a series of amendments designed to place teeth in the bill, but they were either ruled out of order or voted down by a. strict party vote. On only one vote were the political ranks broken. It was on an amendment offered by MT. Thomas, re- publican, to make the filing of returns in- cumbent upon all corporations manda- tory On that amendment seven repub- licans voted with the democrats. The bill as passed requires corporations hereafter organized to file returns covering its ar ticles of incorporation, financial compost ton, condition, etc., with the interstate commerce commission, on penalty of be- ing restrained from engaging in inter- state commerce, and prescribes penalties for false returns, etc. The commission is given authority in it's discretion 10 call for similar returns from existing cor porations doing an interstate business The commission is given power to compe; the answer to questions and a fine of not to exceed $5000 is imposed for failure to obey the commission in this respect.
 Rebates Made Punishable.
 Rebates by carriers Is made punishable with q fine of not less than 5000, and corporations violating the provisions Of this section are forbidden the use of the instrumentalities of interstate commerce. Carriers are prohibited from knowingly transporting articles produced, manurac- tured or sold in violation of the Sherman act. In cases of prosecutions no persons are to be excused from yesfiryIng on the ground that such testimony would tend to incrimipate him, but for such testi- lnony the itness Is not tp be prosecuted. The Circuit courts are given jurisdiction in cases of vioation and 1t is made the duty of the district attorneys to instf- ute proceedings to prevent violations and individuals damaged by violations are given authority to sue
 During the debate on the bill there was sharp personal encounter between Mr De Armond of Missouri and MT. Little field of Maine. number of amendments to the first section had been voted down and one by Mir. Henry of Texas offering as new section the placing of steel rails and some other articles on the free list had been allowed to go over on a point of order. when Mir De Armond moved that debate on the section close. This brought MT Lttleheld to his feet. LIttIefieId Is DispIeased.
 Has the gentleman taken charge of | the bill?' he asked.
 'I will say to the gentleman from Maine" replied Mir De Armond 'taat I do not think there Is any suggestion that anybody Is taking charge of the bill and there might be some reasons l to suggest that not much of anybody has | had charge of the bill. wish to reach | a point where amendments that we have prepared 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"
 MT. Littlefeld Let me ask the gem | tleman does he undertake to intimate | that the gentleman from Maine has been responsible for any of these delays?" 1 MT. De Armond, undertake to say | that the suggestion of the gentleman that I somebody was trying to take charge of l of this bill' is entirely gratutious, and the better sense of the gentleman from Maine and the better manners of the gentleman from Maine, ought to make him aware of that fact"
 Did Not Mean to Be Offensive.
 MT. Littleheld: "I trust the gentleman | hHOWS tHdL tDe BtnlittidH lIOHi nhdfnt did not intend to be personally offensive to the gentleman from Missouri; at least if he does not appreciate that fact, the l gentleman from Maine desires to SC 1 state"
 The incident was closed, however, with | out further words and after a speech by MT. Clayton of Alabama, who. in com mending sections 5, G. T. and II. declared | that the bill contained so much good il would never become a law. All minor amendments were presented and voted | down.
 At the expiration of three hours al lowed for the consideration of amend. ments under the special order. the special committee of the whole rose and, withou, 1 intervening motion. the vote was taken | upon the passage of the bill.
 | The roll was called upon the demands oi members of both sides of the house and not single vote was recorded against | the bill. It was declared passed unani- 1 mously.
 Immediately afterward. at s:s5. the