The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-09
kilograms Received in WASH
ingtOn by Lawmakers
With the Name Of the Standard
Oil Magnate Attached.
cit MUST BE STOPPED. f."
Protests Against Further ANTI
Trust Legislation.
Mes ages Are Followed by His
Personal Representative.

Washington. Feb. at can be stated
by authority that. unless antitrust leg
islatfon at least reasonably satisfactory
to the administration is enacted at the
present session. President Roosevelt. on
March s. will call an extraordinary ses-
sion Of the ffty-eighth congress. The
president himself has told members OF
congress of his desires and of his deter
mination in this regard. It is under
stood that the announcement was direct
and unqualified.
1t is further stated that the determin-
alton Of the president was reached only
after careful consideration of the siren
uous efforts that are being made to de-
feat any antitrust legislation by con-
gress. These efforts have covered a
wide range. They were characterized
by one prominent Republican leader to
quote him directly, as the most re-
markable of which I ever had personal
knowledge during my public life
These efforts eliminated, it is now de-
clared in direct appeals from the Stan
dard Oil company, through its presi-
dent, Mr. John D. Rockefeller, to mem
bers of the senate not to enact any anti
trust legislation at this time.
NO less than six United States sena-
4 tors have received kilograms signed
John D. Rockefeller urging that no
antitrust legislation be enacted. It has
not been possible to obtain copy Of
these dispatches. which. it can be said.
are practically identical Substantially
/ they read as follows:
We are opposed to any antitrust
legislation Our counsel. Mr.. .
win see you. 1t must be stopped"
AS stated. these kilograms Cand it
must be clear that only the substance
and not the exact wording is here giyen)
were signed John d. Rockefeller
One Of the counsel of the STANDARD
Oil company arrived in Washington
and called Immediately upon members
Of the senate. as indicated in the tele-
grams. He did not remain long.
Scarcely had he made known his busi-
ness than he was informed, bit curt
ly, that his presence here was undeSiE-
able, and he left with an intimation
that he would better return to New
York.
Information concerning the receipt
Z of the messages leaked out and became
the subject of some quiet cloakroon
discussion at the senate. The news
alse 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
attorneys had endeavOred to influence
1ESlS1dllOI III CONGRESS dL lAilS SCSslOI.
The attorneys for the company, it is
said, had opposed vigorously the enact
ment of the measures submitted by At
! tOrney General Knox to the subcOm-
mittee of the house judiciary commit
| tee. Subsequently, when what is
known as the Littlefield bill was re-
ported to the house, it can be said on
4 the best of authority. the Standard Oil
/ cOmpany's counsel began to devote
their OPP sitiOn particularly to the
Nelson amendment to section 6 of the
department of commerce bill-the
amendment which contains practically
the publicity figures of the Knox anti
/ trust bill. They did not want that in
/ corporated in the measure, and, it is
said used their utmost efforts 10 pre-
vent its favorab BILE consideration They
We're unsuccessful. as the bill. with
1 that amendment, was agreed upon un-
animously by the conferees of the two
/ branches of congress
The action of the conferees was re-
ceived with satisfaction. 1t is under
stood, by the officials of the administ.a-
4 ton. as it is regarded as a long and
essential step toward the kind Of anti
trust legislation that both the president
and Attorney General Knox believe win
! be effective 1t is this legislation partic-
ularly that the Standard Oil company
/ so vigorously objects to, and which it
hoped might be headed of or emascula-
ted through the appeals made to sena-
tors, before it reached the stage Of act
/ ual passage.
! istratiOn hopes that the Elkins rebate
bill which was passed by the senate,
/ 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 opposition to 1t does not
come from the Standard Oil company,
because it is explained, that corpora
tion has grown beyond any effects the
| enforcement Of such Legislation might
have upon il. The president, it Is un-
derstood regards the Elkins bill as es-
sential to rounding out of the admin
istration's plan for antitrust legislation
and it is believed by those in close touch
with him and with the conditions in
congress, that it yet may be enacted in
to law.
One of the recipients of the telegram
signed by John D. Rockefeller said,
No such formidable weapon ever has
been put in the hands of one man by
Ianother in a legislative contest as wa;
put in my hands by the sender of that
telegram If necessary, ] viii rise in
my place in the senate and read it.
Then we will see whether any votes are
to be recorded against the legislation at
which these efforts are being directed"
BEGGED TO BE EXCUSED.
New York. Feb 9-An effort was
made to see John D. Rockefeller in re-
gard to the kilograms purporting to be
sent by him to various senators. but at
his home he sent out word by servant
that he begged to be excused