Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-04
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
WARNS DELEGATES
He WILL VETO BILL
Asserts Present Measure
Would Serve to Protect
Large Profiteers.
URGENT MESSAGE is SENT:
ASKS GREATER PUNISHMENT
Declares Sentence Should Be
Preventative as Well as
Corrective.
REFE ERRED TO COMMITTEE
Expected Report Will Be Made a,
Today's Session Providing
Rcmcdy for Situation.
URGENT MESSAGE is SENT;
ASKS GREATER PUNISHMENT
EFERRED TO COMMITTEE

Governor Davis held over the Le-is-
!ature yesterday the threat TO veto tho
antitrust measure, If il comes to him
for his signature without providing
a Jail sentence for first offenders.
ihe bill now is in tho hands of n
conference committee, the House hav-
ing refused to concur in amendments
adopted in the Senate. The principal
point OF difference S that the lower
body made imprisonment optional. in
the case of second offenders. and the
upper branch imposed either a iail or
Il penltentiary sentence, in The dis
oretion of the jury.
In neither house did the original
contention of the Governor that first
offenders should be given "A nat iail
sentence carry. The bill as it went
10 conference committee provides
by concurrence of both bodies that this
!iass OF violaters shall be fined or
jailed. or both. making the punish
ment entirely optional. except as to
the maximum or 81. 900 and twelve
months, with the court or jury
SpecinI 'Mcxsags Sent.
The Governor. in message sent
yesterday 10 the General Assembly
said in part:
II desire again to earnestly urge
feet the purpose OF House bill ~ and
Senate bill IS as originally introduced
at inns extra session. | would especial
~ invite YOU! cooperation in sccur-
ing severe punishment for first offen-
ders. when enacted. by prescribing sole
~. as punishment. Jail sentence.
While in misguided sympathy some
would temper justice to the malcfactor
in his first evil effort, sight should
not be lost of the protection thus af-
forded the large prohtecrs who are
entirely needless of the sorrow and
want that their insatiatc greed brings
10 the community. The winter ap-
proachcs when our suffering people
will acutely need this protection. which
| feel assured upon cons liberation YOU
Will not deny them.
The punishment should be of. such
Il character which Will make the act
preventative as we'll as corrective, and
in my opinion unless this first punish
ment is made a jail sentence. the act
viii prove license TO profitcers rather
than protection for the people whom
We represent"
Peace Hopes in Committee.
When the Senate amendments came
back TO the House yesterday. Delegat.
billiard. who is. co-patron of the
measure. asked that the House reject
conference committee. He thinks such
a committee may arrive at some solI-
ton of the problem.
penalties too heavy and favors leaving
the character of punishment to the
discretion of juries. made a vigorous
Incidentally. he hayed critics of th,
manner in which the measure has been
handled in the General Assembly
There. have been great many
demoGogic utterances and false state
ments in regard to this bill" he de-
clared. One Of the Richmond pa apers
has declared that there is at work an
insldious lobby on behalf of a milk and
water antitrust measure. That is
false. so far aS | know. am in favor
cause believe i'll trail by Jury and
because | believe. without it, the law
would be dead letter"
Gordon Queries Speaker.
Delegate Gordon interrupted to ask
IL the speaker believed in Jail sen
tence for petit larceny
Certainly. ! do" replied Mr.. Car
rinGton.
We'll. TO combine in the manner Of
trusts is worse than petit larceny"
Mr.. Gordon asserted
The discretion of courts" continues
Saxon freedom-fouGht for at Runny-
med" and reiterated in the Bill OF
Rights"
Delegate Boschcn declared that there
is an insid ous lobby fighting proper
anti-truSt bill.
My own cousin is walking the streets
of Richmond abusing me because OF
my part in this matter" he aid
Aren't you a member OF the Rich
mum fee for certain legal work." he
was asked by Delegate Parke Deans
Yes. and ! willf resign from the
association after this antitrust tight
IS over Mr. Bosch,n replied.
The House refused to concur in the
Senate amendments by vote of 81 TO
10. The conference committee is en-
pcctcd to report today.