The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-02-13
HAND Of STANDARD
OIL is SHOWN
Rockefeller Calls on Senators
20 Defeat Antitrust
Bills.
CAUSES A BIG SENSATION
President Is Determined to Pass che
Legislation if It Necessitates
an Extra Session to Be-
gin March 5.

Washington, Feb. 10.-Efforts of the
Standard Oil company to prevent anti
trust legislation have eliminated in
direct appeals from the company,
through President John d. Rockefeller,
to members OF the house, not to enact
any antitrust legislation at this time.
No less than six United States sen,
ators have received kilograms signed
John D. Rockefeller urging that no
anti-trust legislation be enacted.
1t has not been possible to obtain a
copy of these dispatches, which, it can
be said, are practically identical. Sub
stantialy they read as follows:
we are opposed to any antitrust
legislation. Our counsel, Mr.. -.
viii see you. It mast be stopped
AS stated, these kilograms (and it
must be clear that only the substance
ana not the a wording is here Civ
en) were signed John ID. Rockefeller
Yesterday morning one of the counsel
Tor the Standard Oil arrived
In washington n called immediately
upon members of the senate, as indi-
Gated in the kilograms. He did not
remain long. Scarcely had he made
known his business when he was in
formed, a bit CURLY, that his presence
here was undesirable, ard he left with
an animation that he would better re-
turn to New York.
Caused Much Talk.
During the afternoon information
concerning the receipt OF the messages
leaked OF and became the subject of
some quiet cloakroom discussion at the
senate. The news also reached the
mousse, some of the prominent repre-
sentatfves learning the gist of the dis
patches.
Then 1t became known that this was
not the first time the S~tandard oil
company, through its attorneys. had
endeaVored to influence legislation in
congress at this session. The attor-
neys Tor the company, 1t is said, had
opposed vigorously the enactment OF
the measures submitted by Attorney
GeHerai Knox to the subcommittee of
me mousse judiciary committee.
Oppose Publicity.
Subsequently, when what is known ae
the Littlefeld bill was reported to the
mouse, 1t Gamble said on the best of au-
thorlty the Standard Oil company's coun-
sci began to devote their opposition par
ucularly to the Nelson amendment to sec
tlon b OF the department of commerce bill
the amendment which contains prac-
1caily the publicity features of the Rnox
antitrust bill. They did not want tba3
incorporated in the measure, and II is
said, used their utmost efforts to prevent
~ COLGlUGTaClOn 3lhey wera nm
successful, as the bill with tina amend
ment was agreed upon nimou to-
day by the conferees of the two
branches OF congress. The action of the
conferees was received with satisfaction
1t is understood, by the officials of the adj
mlnlstration, as 1t is regarded as a long
and essential step toward the kind of an
thrust legislation that both the presi-
dent and Attorney General Knox believe
Will be effective. 1t is this legislation mar
ticularly that the Standard OIL compan
SO vigorously objects to, and which It
hoped might be headed off or emasculated
through the appeals made to senators be-
fore it reached the stage of actual PASS.
age.
Likes EIkins Bill.
1t is said by authority that the admin
lstration hopes that the Elkins rebate,
bill, which was passed by the senate last
week, Will be passed also by the house.
WINE this measure. too, is opposed by
those who are In favor of no trust leeis-
!ation, the special opposition to it does
not come from the STANDARD Oil company.
but, 1t Is explained, that corporation has
grown beyond any effects the enforcement
OF such legislation might have upon II.
The president, 1t is understood, regards
the Elkins bill as essential to a rounding
out of the administrations plan for anti
trust legislation, and it is believed by
those in close touch with him and with
the conditions In congress that it vet
may be enacted into law.
Unless antitrust legislation at least
reasonably satisfactory to the admins
tration is enacted at the present session
President Roosevelt on the 5th Of March
Will call an extra session. The president
himself has told members of his desires
and determination. 1t Is understood the
"nnounceme was direct and unqualified
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