The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-10
At Ter FOOD AND
FUEL COMBINES
Martin Of South Dakota In
PRODUCES a Bill for Fed
eral Control.
Would Have Governments
Firm Grasp on Beef and
Coal Trusts.
Special TO The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
- HICAGO, Dec. 9.The Washing
ton correspondent Of the Post
- wires as follows:
Eben w. Martin of South Dakota has
introduced in the house a bill which
aims to give the government control Of
every corporation in the country which
is engaged in interstate commerce, in
fuel or food supplies.
Two years ago Representative Martin
forced consideration Of his resolution
asking for an investigation Of the af-
fairs Of the beef industry. The resolu-
ton passed the house and the beef in
quiry was on. u.
This new measure of the South Da-
kota congressman provides that every
corporation, joint stock company or
other association engaged in Interstate
and foreign commerce in food supplies
shall first obtain from the secretary of
commerce and labor a franchise per-
hitting it to conduct business.
No over-oapitalizing.
Before the company can be licensed,
it must prove that it is not over-capi-
talized and that its capital represents a
fair valuation Of its rights and proper
ties, and it must be made plain that the
company is in no sense q trust, that it
is not its intention to enter in any com
bination or any conspiracy in restraint
OF trade, and that there is no thought
OF attempting to monopolize the partic.
ular business in which it is to engage
Fees for examination are to be
charged and a price is set the license
all moneys paid for the service and thu
franchise to be put into fund for tn,
promotion of the work of the bureau o:
corporations of the department. Ever,
year, or oftener if the department de
mands it, the corporal ion is to make
report sworn to by it's president, it
manager, it's treasurer and majority O.
its board of directors, setting forth til,
properties, the earnings, the profits, til,
dividends and lastly, the business meth
| DDS.
TO Keep Them In Check.
IF the corporations does not come {
time with its report ors the date set; 1t
franchise is te beS suspended until i
! complies with the life. If it be prove
that the corperatRsA has Violated tn
law against @rnononoly restraint 0
trade, it. shall forfeit its license, but O.
a proper showing Of amended conduct i
may recover it's franchise. If, however
it offend a second time, it shall sforeve
be barred from business.
/ The measure provides: that the re
sponsible officers of any corporation o
the kind specified in the title that sha]
attempt to do business after July ]
1906, without the proper authority, 0
in violation of the provisions of the ACT
shall be fined not more than $4,000 o
imprisoned for a term not exceedin
one year, or suffer both penalties at tn
discretion Of the court.
If any corporation attempt to carr
on Interstate commerce in food or fue
without license any goods that it ma
have in transit are to be seized and cor
fiscated by the government.
Such are some of the provisions O
this measure introduced by Mr.. MAI
tin of South Dakota and at the bill an
the man behind it the republican men
bers of congress are looking fairl
aghast. ..
The bill has gone to the committee O.
interstate and foreign commerce.