The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-24
ANTITRUST BILL READY FOR TRIAL
 CONSIDERATION
Conferees Agree Upon Re port Completing Measure Which Combines Fea-
 lures of Both Bills

Washington. September 23.-Ths Clayton antitrust bill, second of the administration trust legislative meas ures at last is ready for final con sideration of Congress after many months of deliberation in both houses. eonferees agreed upon their final re- port today. completing measure that Is combination of features of both Senate and House bills.
 Primary the bill would as urgent " suggested by President Wilson, pun ish individual officers of corporations violating the trust laws of the coun- try. This section would provide that any director. officer or agent of a cor |poration violating the antitrust laws or who might aid or counsel such viola tion should be deemed guilty of a mis- demeanor punishable by fine not ex- ceeding 5000, or by imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both
 Important changes made in the measure as it left the Senate relate to interlocking directorates and exclu- sl.e contracts. The conferees restored the House section prohibiting inter- locking directorates of bank directors With an amendment to provide.
 That from and after two years fol- lowing the passage of act no person snail at any time be director or oth- CT officer or employe of more than one bank, banking association or trust company which has deposits. capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregat- Ing naore than s5.000 900, the provision f0 be annlipa lal having population of more than 200 000 ihe House bill fixed the capital Him. ltaiicn at $2,500.000, and contained no population limitation.
 Prohibits Interlocking
 Interlocking also would be prohib- lied of directors in competitive corpor- ttlcns having capital of more than s-'ocV.coo if elimination of the com petition would constitute a violation or the trust laws. Railroad directors would be prohibited from serving as directors of corporations dealing with securities or supplies in excess of s5O.- oVo a year, except through competitive bidding under regulation of the inter- state commerce commission.
 The provision to prohibit exclusive or tying contracts follows the spirit or the Walsh amendment to maintain Independence of retail dealers It would make it unlawful to lease or make a sale or contract for sale of goods, pat ented or unpatented, on the condition, agreemen or understanding that the lessee or purchaser shall not use or deal in the goods of competitor if the lessor or seller where the effect Of such transaction may substantial IN lessen competition or tend to create monopoly Specific penalty in this sec- ton of the Salate bill was eliminated.
 Price discrimination between pur- chasers would be prohibited by the bill, and holding companies would be pro- hioited when requirement of corpor- ations and would create monopoly or Substantially lessen competition
 Labor Not Commodity
 The agricultural and fraternal or ganizations are exempted from the law and labor is declared not to be a con- modity.
 A provision growing out of the New Haven railroad difficulties would mak e 1t felony for an officer or director of a corporation to wilfully misapply it's funds or to wilfully permit them to be misapplied. This is made punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or by im- prlsonment for not less than one year or more than 10 years or both.
 Provisions modifying and liberalizing the injunction laws were retained practically as agreed upon in tho Sen ate and trial by jury is provided In cases of indirect contempt.
 Several Senate amendments were eliminated. One of these would have given the courts authority to appoint receivers for convicted corporations to sell the property to persons who would restore competition.
 Senator Culberson submitted the conference report to the Senate late today giving notice that he would call it up at the earliest opportunity.