The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-02-13
R%OOsEvELT'S
GREAT VICTORY
tnWardness of the Presidents
Coup Which Defeated the
Standard Oil.
tanning OF THE N
Senators Said to Have Received Tele-
rams Are Aldrich, Hanna, kean,
Hale, Spooner, Depew-Roose-
velt's Audacious Move.

Is beginning to get publicity. TIL
story, as it is now outlined from state
ments that a V come from the Whit
u from newspaper men, from AS
ISOLATED Press quarters, n from
members of congress, is one of the mos
entertaining {. it's kind that p~olitica
Washington recalls.
First of all, it is now admitted thai
the story of the Rockefeller kilograms
demanding that antitrust legislation
be stopped, was given out directly from
the White House. The president him
self ave it out. And the president
knew whereof he was talking.
1t was n Of the most audacious
things even Theodore Roosevelt has
ever done In his career of political au-
dacittes. He found a chance to take
the country into his confidence, to
show it how powerful and determined
were h influences opposing his trust
program; and he did not lose a minute
In deciding what he would do.
Senators Tell the Story.
1t may be months before all the de-
tails will be given the public, but
enough is known to make a substan-
TALLY complete narrative possible.
Senators Aldrich of Rhode Island,
Hale Of Maine, Kean Of New Jersey,
Hanna Of Ohio, Depew Of New York
and Spooner of Wisconsin are named
as the senators who received the man.
datory kilograms Of Mr.. Rockefeller.
THESE statesmen have not admitted re-
ceipt of such messages, but, on the
other hand, none of them is credited
with a direct denial. 1t is pointed out
that when asked about it they nave
have made d~eprecatory statements; as,
that Rockefeller would be a fool to
send such kilograms to senator's or
that ut wouldn't be fair to assume that
RnHkafp11ar had 1nct hjc han1 artira1,- },
There is plenty of circumstantial evil
dence that thu kilograms were received.
The fact t}hat the Associated Press
handled so pointed and direct a story
IS accepted as demonstrating that the
big news association had absolute
unq~uestionable authority, and that au-
thority was the president himself, it is
said.
Roosevelt Learns of Tefearams.
The story goes that Mr.. Roosevelt
learned OF the kilograms from some of
the senators, either those who had re-
ce1Ved the messages or from Others who
knew positively of the facts.
AFTER Inc teiegramS came, there were
discussions n conferences and con-
was given to the question
OF what effect the opposition of the
great Rockefeller interests would have,
their utmost influence were eXerted
against the legislation, or, in case of
It's passage, against the administration
IN the next campaign. From some of
ms callers the president, at any rate,
learned that these kilograms had come
20 washington. The fact that Standard
Oil lawyers had come to WashingtoI
was also ascertained, bearing out the
statements made in the kilograms that
n e would be on hand.
The president. getting an inklinc of
SITUATION, questioned some of his
senatorial callers closely and got the
tacts from them. 1t was an emporium
Ity for action, prompt and decisive. 1t
the experiences of the presi-
lent When he was governor of New
Il laid down the law to Plat
n order to force the passage of the
tord franchise taxation law. But the
o~resldents action in this case was more
iudaclous, more startling thar any
he had ever felt called upon to do
before.
Told the Associated Press.
M president Immediately deter
niIed On ms course. He would Cop
'er. the Rockefeller move at once.
lie sent to the Associated Press head
luarteTs, according to reports, that he
,ould FURNISH a good story, 1t is said
urther that the article was written by
I wen known Washington correspond
nj VINO does not ordinarily write for
ne Associated Press, but who eniovs
ne confidence OF the president and
called in to serve him in this case.
Inc afllcie was duly prepared, and
Us being unquestionable, was
ent over the wires to all the newsna-
'ers getting the press report. It was a
cry practical trial of the effects Of
publicity. "
Puoncatlon of the whole story caused ,
SENSATION. The senator's who had
cen concerned in the matter We're said
0 nave Teen thunderstruck when they
ouho the whole matter exposed in the
'apers. None of their names was eiv- !
n in the article: but rumor connects
nth the kilograms the names of the six ,
majors given above. OF these Mr..
Aidrlch is recognized as the .
MS representative, his All
ne Aidrich, having married John D.. ,
socke1elier, Jr., about three years ago. ,
Spoiled the Game. !
fupllclty Of this sort naturally was
alcuiated to ruin all prospects of the i
Oh doing anything effective. I
wiling senators might have
cen 10 acconmC cate Mr.. Rockefeller :
however concerned renrhIicons !
nave been about turning him into {
determined antagonist of the admin {
'tratlon, they could not well stand he j
pre- the country and their states as
saaers OF a light to execute the orders
I the ~hlll1onaire Oil
The Standard OIL lawyers left WASH
lgton as suddenly as they had come )
mere is much speculation as TO the
of h coup by the president
oillcal .-oHents insinuate that tho !
Invented the whole story for ,
iect.N They insinuate that he was :
lilns to go to his extent in order ia !
the country believe there is merit ,
legislation which, as these o~pponente q
is1st, VIII not be in any wsv effective y
ut 1t is not believed by ANYBODY else !
robably not by these opponents eithar :
mat the president would do such a +
1lng. Washington does not s~prio,ls,1,
oupt that the story was correct ana
re presioents friends do not DENY his
ssponslbiilty for its publication. =
Rockefeller Harmless. :
Admirers of the president insjs. +ha+
: mas done the very thing which Wi;
,tract The poisoned fangs OF stand ~ .
opposition. So long as the lobhvist :
legislative agents Of the bic, trnst =
'uld work under cover they ,nieI, j.
trouble. Ext when the Sresiden, >
th@lr designs and turned ~ "
!, Hight ~ fall publicity an 49,,