Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-14
Democrats Protest. Wishing to Strengthen
NAM Provisions Of Measure,
ANNOUNCE END OF ANTITRUST PROGRAM
Republican Leaders Say No Mere Ourbs
Will Be Placed on Combines
COCHRAN DUBS HEPBURN DELlBERATELlAR
Missouri Representative Objects to
Iowa Mans Statements in Unpar-
IiamentaFy Remark, which
Passes UnnOticed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-Under tho
operation of special order which cut of
opportunity to offer amendments, the house
after an hours debate today passed the FL
kins bill to prohibit rebates to shippers.
The vote stood 241 to 6, all those who
voted against being democrats. Mr.. Lit
tleheld (Me.) was present, but did not vote
on either the rule or the bill.
The democrats protested against the
rigorous terms Of the rule 1t had been
their purpose, they said, to offer the pro-
visions Of the L,ttleheld bill as an amend
ment. Mr.. Dalzell (Pa), Mr.. Overstreet
(Ind) and Mr.. Hepburn (Ia) practically
announced that with the passage OF the
Eixins bill the antitrust legislation for
this session OF congress would be com
plete.
During the debate Mr.. Cochran MOI
characterized one Of Mr.. Hepburn's state
ments as deliberate lie," but, contrary
to the usual custom. this strong Language
had no sequel.
The remainder Of the session was devoted
to the sundry civil appropriation pill which
was practically completed
Hull supports Bill.
On the Elkins bill being called Mr. Hull
1a) said no one bill was perfect, but the
measure before them was a step In the
direction Of the regulation of trusts.
Mr.. Littleheld (Me), who was in charge
Of the bill, declined to yield to him. Ho,
however, got minute from Mr., Richard
son (Tenn.). In that minute he called at
tention to the word "wilful" before fail
ure" in the provision imposing penalties
for the "wilful' failure Of carriers to
publish and observe rates. He said the
word ought to come out and that Senator
EILtha ha IA he uff
him.
Mr.. Cannon Qll.) replied that II that
we're the case Senator Elkins could air his
views in the senate.
"He is a very considerable senator" said
he, "but never heard that he was a great
lawyer"
Mr.. De Armond (Mo.) denied emphatic
ally that the country was demanding the
enactment OF the Elklns bill. "It will do no
good. 2 said he, -.iandi the people foremost.
In urging II know that, That is the reason
they urge IT."
There was nothing in the bill, he said.
that was not on the statute books. except
the clauses repeating existing penalty pro-
visions OF law To repeal those penalties
was the real purpose. The bill was at
tempt TO "bunco" the people and to pre-
vent the offering OF amendments the ma
jority dare not vote against. 1t was a
mere "demagogic play" to stihe legsla-
tton.
Mr. overstreet nnd.) pointed out that
the majority had set out to place upon
the statute books provisions to expedite
cases, to secure publicity of the corpora
tions' methods of doing business and to
prevent Determinations and rebates by
railroads. Provisions covering all these
subjects had passed the house and two had
passed the senate.
Cochran Calls Measure Brazen Shame.
Mr.. Cochran (Mo) characterized the bill
as a "brazen and shameless" imposition
upon the credulity of the people. His ar
gument was chiefly directed against the
provisions of existing law, making officers
and agents Of railroads guilty of discriml-
nation punishable by fine and imprisonment.
MIR. shRckleford MOI denounced the
course CT the majority in refusing to permit
the Littleheld bill as an amendment.
Mr.. Hepburn called attention to the fact
b that the democrats denounced the bill, but
later on they would all vote for 1t.
In the three bills which were to become
law. speaking OF the entire program for
trust regulation, he believed congress had
struck the happy medium" imposing the
least injury to the individual and the most
good to the public.
The democrats had voted for a proposi-
tion under which Il would have been pos
sible TO fine the Pennsylvania railroad IS.
100000 for a single act. They would. he
said. stop at nothing labelled antitrust -
Then. while explaining the provisions Of
the bill, he added: II say there is no repeal
from first TO last In all this legislation"
Mr. Cochran sought 20 interrupt him.
'T prefer not to YIELD" said Mr. Hep
burn.
Mr., Coehran-The gentleman ought not tc
refer TO the gentleman from Missouri II
he does not want to yield.
Mr.. Hepburn ought to refer to the gen
tleman at any time when he deliberately
misstates a proposition.
Mr.. Cochran-I brand that as a delib
crate lie. l did not deliberately misstatt
the question.
Mr.. Hepburn-Then ignorantly. The gen,
tleman can take either proposition. l say
there Is no repeal OF the present statute
making eulpable and responsible criminally
the individual under the interstate com.
merce law.
The vote was then taken. and resulted
24i to in It's favor.
Those voting in the negative wer,
Messrs. Cochran and De Almond Cdo)
Glass CW Val, Hooker (MissJ Kuti
IN. c. and Neville (Neb.)
On resumption OF consideration OF til,
civil sundry bill an amendment was adopted
10 appropriate $4,000 for additional lane
for the site OF the government sanitariun
ior disabled volunteer soldiers at He
Springs, s. d.
without completing the bill the commit
tee rose and at 5:45 p. m. the house ad
iourned