Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1903-02-12
THE PRESIDENT
IS Determined.
Will Call Extra Session of Con-
gress Unless Trust Leg
islation Is Adopted.
ROCKEFELLER MAKES A MOVE
Telegraphs Senator's Declaring That the
Move for Trust Legislation "Must BE
Stopped"-His Counsel Turned Down In
Washington.

stated Dy authority that unless anti.
trust legislation at least reasonably
satisfactory to the administration is
enacted at the present session Presi.
dent Roosevelt on the 9Th of March
will call an extraordinary session of
the Fifty-eighth congress. The presi.
dent himself has told members of
congress of his desires and of his
determination in this regard. It is
understood that the announcement
was direct and unqualified.
1t Is further stated that the deter
mination of the president was reach
ed only after careful consideration of
the strenuous efforts that are being
made to defeat any trust legislation
by congress. These efforts have COW
cred wide range. They were char
acterized Saturday by one prominent
republican leader, to quote him d.
rectly. IS 1.-The most remarkable of
which I ever had personal knowledge
during my public life"
These efforts eliminated during the
past thirty-six hours, it is now declared
in direct appeals from the Standard
Oil company, through its president,
John d. Rockefeller, to members of
congress not to pass any trust legis-
latfon at this time.
Not less than six United States
senator's have received kilograms
signed John D. Rockefeller" urging
that no antitrust legislation be enact
ed. 1t has not been possible to obtain
copy of these dispatches, which, It
can be said, are practically identical.
Substantially they read as follows:
I'VE are opposed to any antitrust
legislation. Our counsel, Mr..
will see you. 1t must be stopped"
AS stated in these kilograms (and 1t
must be clear that the substance and
not the exact wording is here given)
were signed John D. Rockefeller"
Friday morning one of the counsel
of the Standard Oil company arrived
in Washington and called immediate
ly upon members of the senate as in
dictated in the kilograms. He did not
remain long. Scarcely had he made
known his business until he was in
formed, a bit CURLY, that his pres
ence here was undesirable and he
left with an intimation that he would
better return to New York.
During the afternoon information
concerning the receipt Of the messages
leaked out and became the subject of
some quiet cloak room discussion at
the senate. The news also reached
the house, some of the prominent
representatives learning the gist of
the dispatches. Then it became known
that this was not the first time the
Standard Oil company, through its at
torneys, had endeavored to influence
legislation in congress at this session.
The attorneys for the company, it is
said, had opposed vigorously the enact.
ment of the measures submitted by
Attorney General Knox to the sub
committee Of the house judiciary com
mittee. Subsequently, when what is
known as the Littlefield bill was re-
ported to the house, it can be said on
the best of authority, the Standard
Oil company's counsel began to de-
vote their opposition particularly to
the Nelson amendment of section of
the department of commerce bill
the amendment which contains prac-
tically the publicity features of the
Knox antitrust bill. They did not
want the amendment incorporated in
the measure, and, it Is said, used their
utmost efforts to prevent its favora-
BILE consideration. They were unsuc.
cessful, as the bill, with that amend.
ment, was agreed upon unanimously
Saturday by the conferees of the two
branches of congress. The action of
the conferees was received with sat.
isfaction. it is understood, by the offic-
ials of the administration, as it Is re-
garded as a long and essential step to-
ward the kind of antitrust legislation
that both the president and Attorney
General Knox believe will be effective
1t is this legislation particularly that
the Standard Oil company so vigorous
ly objects to and which it is hoped
might be headed off or emasculated
through the appeals made to senator's
before it reached the stage Of actual
passage.
1t is said by authority that the ad'
ministration hopes that the Elkins re.
bate bill, which was passed by the SEN
ate last week, will be passed also by
the house. While this measure, too
Is opposed by those who are in favor
of no trust legislation, the special op'
position to it does not come from the
Standard Oil company, because, it is
explained. that corporation has grown
beyond any effects of the enforcement
of such legislation might have upon
it. The president, it is understood
regards the Elkins bill as essential
to a rounding out Of the administra'
TONS plans for antitrust legislation
and 1t Is believed by those in close
touch with him and with the condi'
lions in congress that it yet may be
enacted in law.
The efforts being made to defeat
or emascuIate trust legislation have
formed the subject for some animal,
ed conferences. Indeed, the subject
Is likely to be developed in some de-
tail in congress. One Of the recip-
tents of the telegram signed by John
D. Rockefeller, said:
mo such formidable weapon ever
has been put in the hands of one ma
by another in a legislative contest as
was put in my hands by the sender OF
that telegram. II necessary, l will
rise in my place in the senate and
read 1t. Then we will see whether
any votes are to be recorded against
the legislation at which these efforts
are being directed"