The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-02-13
MAYBE An EXTRA SESSION
If ANTITRUST LEGISLATION is
NOT SATISFACTORY.
President Roosevelt Has Told Men,
bers of Congress His Plans to Defeat
Efforts Made to Defeat Any Anti
Trust Legislation by Congress-
Rockefeller Telegraphs to Senators
to Stand by the Trusts.

Washington, Feb. Sit can be stat
ed on authority tnat unless the anti
IiusC legislation is at least reasonably
satisfactory TO the administration, as
enacted by the present congress, Pres
ident Roosevelt on the 5th of March
viii call an extraordinary session of
the tiftyeighth congress. The presi-
dent himself has told members OF
congress OF his desires and of his de-
termination in this regard. 1t is un-
derstoOd that the announcement was
direct and unqualified.
1t is further stated the determine
ton of the president was reached only
after careful consideration of the
strenuous efforts being made to defeat
any antitrust legislation by congress.
These efforts have covered a wide
range. They were characterized re-
Gently by one prominent republican
leader, to quote him directly, las the
most remarkable which l have ever
personally known during my public
life"
Rockefeller Makes Appeal.
These efforts eliminated in direct
appeals from the Standard Oil COM
pany, through it's president, John d.
Rockefeller, to 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 ID. Rockefeller" urging that no
antitrust Legislation be enacted. 1t
has not been possible to obtain a copy
of these dispatches, which, it can be
said, are practically identical. Sub
stantially, they read as follows:
eve are opposed to any antitrust
legislation. Our counsel, Mr., will
see you. 1t must be stopped"
AS stated, these kilograms land it
must be clear that only the substance
and not the exact wording is here Civ
en- were signed John D. Rockefel-
ler."
One of the counsel for the Standard
Oil company did arrive in Washington
and called Immediately upon members
of the senate, as indicated in the tele-
gram. He did not remain long.
Scarcely had he made known his bust
ness when he was informed, a bit
CURLY, that his presence here was I'M
desirable, and he left with an intima-
ton that he would return to New
York.
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 attor-
neys for the company, it is said, had
opposed vigorously the enactment of
the measures submitted by Attorney
General Knox to the subcommittee OF
the house judiciary committee. Sub
sequently, when what is known as the
Littlefeld bill was reported to the
house, it can be stated on the best of
authority that the Standard Oil COM
pany's counsel began to devote it's OPP
position particularly to the Nelson
amendment to section of the depart
ment of commerce bill. The amend
ment, which contains practically the
publicity features of the Knox anti
trust bill, they did not want incorpo-
rated in the measure, and, it is stated,
used their utmost efforts to prevent its
favorable consideration. They were
unsuccessful, as the bill, with that
amendment, has been agreed upon
unanimously by the conferees of the
two branches Of congress. The action
of the conferees was received with sat
isfaction, it is understood, by the Of
ficials of the administration, as it is
regarded as a long and essential step
toward the Kind of antitrust legisla-
ton that both the president and At
tOrney General Knox believe will be
effective. 1t is stated that kind of
legislation to which the Standard Oil
people so vigorously object, and which,
it was hoped, could be headed off or
emasculated through their appeals to
senators before it reaches a final
passage
1t is said the administration hopes
that the Elkins rebate bill, which was
passed by the senate will be passed
also by the house. While this meas
ure, too, is opposed by those who are
in favor of no trust legislation, the
special opposition does not come from
the Standard Oil company, for, it is
explained, that corporation has grown
beyond any effects the enforcement of
such legislation might have upon it.
The president, it is understood, re.
CARDS the Elkins bill as essential to a
rounding Que of the administration S
plan for antitrust legislation, and it is
believed by those in close touch with
him and with tho conditions In, cnn.