The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-08
WARE ANTITRUST
Pups HOARSE BARK
Trust Chorus: HaW! Haw! the
Critter Can't Bite.
WE'VE PULLED HIS TEETH
After Their Extraction the Peoples Watch
Dog" Gees Gambling through The
House With CLEAN Of Gum
and Wag Ct Tail.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Feb. by a unanimous
vote of "a to the House today passed
the Antitrust Bill.
The closing chapter was devoid of
excitement. For three hours the DEM
ocrats offered a series of amendments
designed 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 were the political
ranks broken. 1t was on an amendment
offered by Mr. Thomas CRep) 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-
tion. financial composition, condition, etc.
with the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion on penalty of being restrained froIn
engaging in Interstate Commerce, pre-
scribes penalties for false returns, etc.
The commission is given authority in it's
discretion to cali for similar returns
from existing corporations doing an inter
swer to questions, and fine of not to
exceed S. 900 is imposed for failure to
obey the commission in this respect.
Rebate by carriers is made punishable
with fine of not less than $1,000, and
corporations violating the provisions OF
this section are forbidden the use of the
instrumentalities of Interstate COM
merce carriers are prohibited from know
Il
ufactued or sold in violation of the Sher-
man Act. In cases of prosecution 70
person is to be excused from testifying
on the ground that such testimony would
tend to incriminate him, but for such
testimony the witness is not to be pro-
secuted. The circuit courts are given
| jurisdiction in the cases of violation. and
it is made the duty of the district at
torneys to institute proceedings to pre-
vent violations and individuals damaged
by violation are given authority to sue.
General debate on the Antitrust Bill
having closed yesterday, the bill was
read for amendment under the five min
ute rule. Mr.. DeArmond, of Missouri.
offered the minority amendment to the
first section, providing that all corpora
tions with capital of $780, 600 or more,
doing an Interstate business, "now or
hereafter" organized should make an
nual returns.
The bill of the committee, he explain
ed, only requires returns from corpora
| tions, hereafter organized" except
where called for by the Inter- State Com
merce Commission. He thought all cor
porations should be placed ON an equal
footing in this regard.
Mr. Overstreet (Rep) of Indiana, speak
ing for the majority, said that it desired
to steer a middle course 1t would
compel future corporations to file re-
turns, but lodged with the commission
the discretion to call for reports from
existing corporations.
The amendment was voted down, ~
to Sc
Mr. Sulzer (Dem) of New York.
charged that clever trust lawyers of
New York had prepared the pending bill.
He said that one time he thought Mr..
Littlefeld was sincere, but that he was
now reluctantly compelled to give the
opinion that the bill Of the trust buster
from Maine" was "seven pounds lighter
than a straw hat" Mr.. Sulzer said he
believed the President was honestly try
ing to accomplish something. The diff
1culty was that his party would not sup
port him. The. pending bill was an in
effectual as a putty blower would be
, to stop an elephant on the rampage
Mr.. Henry (Der) of Texas, offered as
a new section an amendment to place
steel rails binding twins, paper and
some other articles on the free list. To
it Mr.. Littlefeld made a point of order
A number of other amendments were
offered to the first section, and all were
voted down. Mr. DeArmond, of Missouri.
finally moved that debate on section one
close, and his motion led to a sharp
personal clash with Mr.. Littlefield.
Has the gentleman taken charge of
the bill ?" asked Mr.. Littlefield.
Il will say to the gentleman from
Maine," replied Mr. DeArmond, "that
do not think there is any suggestion
that anybody is taking charge of the
BILL and there might be some reasons
to suggest that not very much of any
body has had charge of the bill l
wish to reach point where amendments
that we have prepared will be voted on,
and do not care to play into the hands
more of the gentleman from Maine, Oh
anybody else who may be disposed 10
fritter away time on this occasion"
Mr.. Littlefeld: LET me ask the gem
tleman, does he undertake to intimate
that the gentleman from Maine has
been responsible for any Of these da-
lays?"
Mr. DeArmond: II undertake to say
that the suggestion of the gentleman that
somebody was trying to take charge of
this bill, is entirely gratituous and the
better sense Of the gentleman from
Maine, and the better manners of the