The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-27
ROCKEFELLER WILL
 HAVE OPPOSITION Interests Were Threatened by Standard Oil Campaign PIERP0NT. T.MORGAN AT HEAD There Could Be No Titanic Trouble Involving Death Struggle Between the Two Groups of Financiers,
 as Both Would Suffer.
BY w. G. NICHOLAS.

BY w. G. NICHOLAS.
 New York, December 26.-The aggres- sions of the Standard oil party have brought into being a tangible and or | ganized opposition led by the financial giants whose interests have been threat ened by the Rockefeller campaign. This is shown plainly in the strengthening of the railroad alignment against the Stand ard Oil combination. This organized anti Standard Oil party has formed behind the stalwart figure of J. Pierpont Morgan.
 The leading figures in the immediate are 1 the Vanderblts, F. H. Hartman, James J. Hill and A. J. Cassatt and. on the side occupying an independent position, but with a decidedly friendly Morgan leaning, is the powerful Rock Island group. MT. Morgans immediate friends and following control almost half the to- tai railroad mileage of the United States, or in the neighborhood of 5000 miles,
 For a time it looked as though the Rockefeller party had secured practical control of the eastern trunk line situa- ton through enormous purchases of Pennsylvania and New York Central, but later developments tend to show that the petroleum multi-mllionaires fell short in this endeavor, and. that largely on ac- count of the conspicuous advertising of their purpose to dominate they have driv- en into the opposition camp strong inter- ests which were leaning their way, there by preventing, or delaying at least the successful carrying out of the Rockefeller grand projects.
 The Standard oil influence in United States Steel corporation is very strong, and, with the assistance of Mr. Carnegie it may dominate the future management of that vast industrial corporation. The loud talk which was indulged in of bodily throwing MT. Morgan and his friends out of Steel is no longer heard, however Reprisals would certainly follow any such violent attempt. The railroads controlled by Mir Morgan and his friends could ruin the Steel corporation by diverting pa- tronage to independent companies, and building them up at the expense of the big combine. It has been stated that two- thirds of the business of the United States Steel corporation is for account of the railroads and if this statement is anywhere near approximately correct it will be seen at glance that it would be in the power of persons controlling half the railroad mileage of the United States to strike back in the event of open war fare against their interests
 Manifesty there could be no titanic battle involving death struggle between the Standard oil and the Morgan groups. The Rockefeller combination might do an immense amount of damage. but the hurts would not all be on one side. 1ndi- i XriH a ed or sealed down by reason of the bear campaign conducted under the Rocke- feller flag, but as before stated the great interests affected are better organized than ever before for defense, and have better understanding of the true situ- ation and the dangers which might threaten them To put the case bluntly, the Standard oil party has rather over played it's game, and is at last up against a stone wall There is excellent reason for belief that the petroleum multi-multimil lionaires appreciate this fact and have changed their policy to some extent. l There is less disposition to ride rough shod over everything and everybody of independent views who may oppose the Rockefeller march This conduces to a better general understanding and to peaceful readjustment of financial and i transportation conditions.
 
 Progress has been made lately in the plans for a closer relationship between l the Vanderbilt- Hartman railroad sys- tems and there are those in high bank ing circles who prophecy the merger un- der one corporate control of the Union Pacific and New York Central-North western systems. MT. Hartman has been pulling away from the Rockefeller Gould association for year or more, and is now recognized as being a live, ener- getic factor in the Morgan-Va Vanderbilt Hartman party. Such a deal would be l the fruition of the old original Vanderbilt ambition for transcontinental railroad of commanding influence. The Vanderbilt Hartman combination represents in round figures, at least, 5000 miles of railroad, with many additional thousands of miles of closely affiliated lines and properties in which there is part propri- etary interest such Baltimore and Ohio. Reading, etc. Relations between E. IT. Hartman and J. Pierpont Morgan which were strained after the Northern Pacific corner, have become cordial. Mir Hartman is a frequent visitor at the banking house of J. P Morgan & Co.,. and long interviews between the two f. nanciers are held.
 Presidential candidates and national politics are becoming increasingly im- portant factors entering into speculative calculations. The Wall street attitude toward President Roosevelt Is far from being friendly although it has dawned upon the rank and file of the population of the financial district that there Is small likelihood of his defeat for the nomina- tion. That puts them up to the ballot ! box and there is lively figuring for a de- | sira hle opposition candidate
 The recognized mouthpiece in New York and Chicago of the Cleveland wing of the democratic party are given open sup port to the candidacy of Judge Parker, and they are openly antagonistic to Sen ator German. The frank statement is made by those who have the right to speak for MT. Cleveland and his follow | CTS that inasmuch as they will be called upon to supply the campaign fund they will expect to have their say in the con vention. This announcement is so phraseu 1 as to carry with it covert intlmatioh i that if they are not given a commaho'hs voice in the selection of a candidate anu the framing of platform. they VIII smut