Middletown transcript., 1914-01-31
FOUR new ANTI
TRUST BILLS OUT
Measures Based on Wilson Poll
Cies Define Sherman Act
and Allied Laws.
FULL PUBLICITY IS SOUGHT
Trade Commission Instead Of Corpora
tIon Bureau Would Report Viola
tons Of the statutes-RIgId
Inquiries Are Ordered.

Washington, Jan. 2S.-Embodying
the program laid down by the presi-
dent In his recent message, the ad-
ministration's trust bills were present
ed to congress.
The bills have received the approval
Of Mr.. Wilson and the Democratic
leaders Of both houses Of congress.
With little modification they will be
u1acted into III EEzee4i== ee4== purposes
1. Definition of unlawful monop-
oily or restraints Of trade.
2. Prohibition Of unfair trade
practice.
8. Creation Of an interstate
trade commission.
I. Regulation Of corporation d.
dectorates and prohibition Of In
terlocking directorates.
Unlawful Monopoly Defined.
Unlawful monopoly is defined as
any combination or agreement be.
tween corporations, firms, or persons
designed for the following purposes:
1. To create or carry out re-
gtrictions in trade or to acquire a
monopoly in any interstate trade,
business, or commerce.
2. To limit or reduce the pro-
duction or increase the price of
merchandise or Of any commodity.
3. To prevent competition in
manufacturing, making, transport
ing, selling, or purchasing Of mer-
chandise, produce, or any COM
modify.
4. To make any agreement, en-
ten into any arrangement, or ar
rive at any understanding by
which they, directly or indirectly,
undertake to prevent a free and
unrestricted competition among
themselves or among any Dur-
chasers or consumers in the sale,
production, or transportation Of
any product, article, or commod-
fly.
The penalty for violation Of the law
is fixed at not more than $4,000 or i'm
prisonment for one year or both.
Guilt is made personal through a
section that whenever a corporation
shall be guilty Of the violation of the
law the offense shall be deemed to
cover the individual directors, officers,
and agents Of such corporation, as
authorizing, ordering, or doing the
prohibited acts, and they shall be pun
ished as prescribed above.
A paragraph prohibiting holding
companies is to be added to this meas
ure.
Covers Unfair Trade Practices.
The bill forbidding unfair trade
practices declares that to discriminate
In price, between different purchasers
Of commodities, with the purpose or
intent to injure or destroy a competi-
tor, either Of the purchaser or Of the
seller, shall be deemed an attempt to
monopolize interstate commerce.
It is specifically declared that the
law is not intended to prevent dis
elimination in price between purchas-
ers Of commodities ''on account Of
difference in the grade, quality, or
quantity Of the commodity sold, or
that makes only due allowance for
difference in the cost Of transporta-
ton"
Further, 1t is prescribed that moth
ing contained in the act shall prevent
persons from selecting their own Gus
toners, "but this provision shah not
authorize the owner or operator Of
any mine engaged in selling its prod
uct in interstate or foreign commerce
to refuse arbitrarily to sell the same
to a responsible person, firm, or cor
poration, who applies to purchase"
An attempt at monopoly also is de-
clared to exist for any person to make
q sale Of goods, wares, or merchandise
or fix price charged therefor, or dis
count from or rebate upon such price,
on the condition or understanding
that the purchaser thereof shall not
deal in the goods, wares, or merchan-
disc Of a competitor or competitors of
the seller.
Deals With Damage Suits.
A Judgment against any defendant
IN a suit brought under the antitrust
law the bill provides shall constitute
rs against such defendant conclusive
evidence Of the same facts and be
conclusive as to the same issues of
aw in favor Of any other party in any
'ther proceeding brought under and |
INVOLVING the provisions Of the law.
For the benefit Of parties injured in
heir business or property, by any per
ION or corporation found guilty Of vio-
ating the law the statute Of Hmita-
ions applicable to such cases shall be
Injunctive relief is accorded against