The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-08
PRESIDENT DETERMINED
THAT REMEDIAL LEGISLATION
SHALL BE ENACTED,
And Will Call the Next Congress
on March 5, if Necessary
Action of the House.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Tt can be stated
by authority that unless antitrust legis-
Iation. at least reasonably satisfactory to
ent session President Roosevelt. on the 5th
OF March, will call an extraordinary session
OF the Fffty-eighth Congress. The Presi-
dent has told members of Congress of his
desire and of his determination in this re-
gard. 1t is understood the announcement
was direct and unqualified 1t is further
stated that the determination of the Pres
ident was reached only after careful con-
sideration OF the strenuous efforts that are
being made to defeat any antitrust legis-
lation by Congress. These efforts have
covered wide range. They were char
acterized to-day by one prominent Repub-
lican leader. to quote him directly, "as the
most remarkable of which have had per-
sonaI knowledge during my public life."
These efforts eliminated during the past
thirty-six hours. it is now declared, in di-
rect appeals from the Standard Oil Com
pany. through its president. John d. Rookie
feller to members Of the Senate not to en-
act any antitrust legislation at this time.
No less than six United States senator's
have received kilograms signed "John d.
Rockefellar'' urging that no antitrust legis-
lation be enacted 1t has not been possi-
BILE to obtain a copy of these dispatches.
ff he
tical. Substantially they read as follows:
I'VE are opposed to any antitrust legis-
lation. Our counsel. Mr.. -, will see you.
1t must be stopped"
AS stated, these kilograms (and II must be
clear that only the substance and not the
exact wording is here given). were signed
"John d. Rockefeller"
LEFT WITH A FLEA IN HIS EAR
Yesterday morning one of the counsel
of the Standard Oil Company arrived in
Washington and called Immediately on
members OF the Senate, as indicated In the
telegrams- He did not remain long Scarce
iy had he made known his business than
he was informed. bit curtly. that his pres
ence here was undesirable. and he left with
an intimation that he would better re-
turn to New York"
During the afternoon information con-
cerning the receipt Of the messages leaked
out. and became the subject of some quiet
cloakroom discussion at the Senate. The
news also reached the House, some of the
prominent representatives learning the gist
of the dispatches. Then 1t became known
that this was not the first time the Stand
ard Oil Company. through its attorneys,
had endeavored to influence legislation in
Congress at this session. The attorneys
for the company. 1t was stated. had op-
posed vigorously the enactment of the
measures submitted by Attorney General
Knox to the subcommittee OF the House
judiciary committee. Subsequently when
what is known as the LittlefeId bill was
reported to the House it can be said on
the best OF authority that the Standard
Oil Company counsel began TO devote its
opposition particularly to the Nelson
dmenuInenl 10 ctCtiOn D OF the department
of commerce bill-the amendment which
contains practically the publicity features
OF the Knox antitrust bill. The Standard
Oil Company did not want that incorporat-
ed in the measure. and. 1t is said used its
utmost efforts to prevent its favorable con-
sideration. They were unsuccessful. as the
bill. with that amendment. was agreed on
unanimously to-day by the conferees OF
the two branches OF Congress.
ADMINISTRATION PLEASED
The action OF the eonferees was received.
Il is understood. with satisfaction by the
officials of she administration, as IL Is re-
garded az a long and essential step toward
the kind of antitrust legislation that both
President Roosevelt and Attorney General
Knox believe will be effective 1t Is this
legislation particularly that the Standard
Oil Company so vigorously objects to. and
which II hoped might be headed of or
emascuiated through the appeals made to
senator's before IL reached the stage OF
actual passage.
II IL said by authority that the adminis-
txation hopes that the Eikins rebate bill.