The Savannah morning news., 1903-02-08


by authority that unless antitrust
legislation at least reasonable salts
factory to the administration, is en-
acted at the present session, Presi-
dent Roosevelt will on March call an
extraordinary session of the Fifty
eight Congress. The President him
self has told members of Congress of
his desire and of his determination in
this regard. 1t is understood that
the announcement was direct and I'M
qualified.
II is further stated that the deter
n....odon of the President was reach
ed only after careful consideration of
the strenuous efforts that are being
made to defeat any antitrust legisla-
ton by Congress. These efforts have
covered a wide range. Theye were
characterized to-day by one promi-
nent Republican leader, to quote him
directly, as the most remarkable of
which 1 have had personal knowledge
during my public life"
ROckefeIIer Frightened.
These efforts eliminated during the
past thirty-six hours, it is now de-
clared, in direct appeals from the
Standard Oil Company, through its
n alrnf nl IN
members of the Senate not to enact
any antitrust legislation at this time
No less than six United States sena-
tors have received kilograms signed
John D. Rockefeller" urging that no
antitrust legislation be enacted. 1t
has not been possible to obtain copy
of those dispatches, which, it can be
said, are practically identical. Sub
stantially, they read as follows:
I'VE are opposed to any antitrust
legisltion. Our counsel, Mr.. - -,
4ynI see YOU. 1t must be stopped"
AS stated, these kilograms (and it
must be clear that only the substance,
and not the exact wording, is here Civ
en-. were signed "John D. Rockefel-
ler."
Yesterday morning one of the coun-
sci of the Standard Oil Company ar
rived in Washington and called imme-
diately upon members of the Senate, as
indicated in the kilograms. He did not
remain long. Scarcely had he made
known his business than he was in
formed, a bit CURLY, that his presence
here was undesirable, and he left with
an intimation that he had 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 repre-
sentatives learning the gist of the dis
patches.
Then it became known that this was
not the first time the Standard Oil
Company, through it's attorneys. had
endeavored to influence legislation in
Congress at this session. The attorneys
for the company, it was stated, had
opposed vigorously the enactment of
the messages submitted by Attorney
General Knox to the subcommittee of
the House Judiciary Committee.
Trust Attorneys Active.
Subsequently, when what is known
as the Littlefeld bill was reported to
the House. it can be said on the best
Of authority, that the Standard Oil
Company's counsel began to devote
their opposition particularly to the
Nelson amendment to Section of the
amendment which contains practical
ly the publicity features of the Knox
antitrust bill.
They did not want that incorporated
IN the measure and, it is said, used
their utmost efforts to prevent its IA
Forable consideration. They were un-
Successful, as the bill, with that
amendment, was agreed upon unani-
mously to-day by the conferees of the
Two branches of Congress. The ac-
uon Of the conferees was received. it
Is understood, with satisfaction by the
o'hcials OF the administration. and It
IL regarded as a long and essential
step toward the kind Of antitrust leg
Nlation which the President and At