New-York tribune., 1903-02-08
TRUSTS TAKE A HAND.
PRESSURE ON CONGRESS.
Standard Oil Said To BE Fighting
Anti- Trust Legislation.
By The Associated Press.)


Washington Feb. Tt can be said by au-
thority that unless antitrust legislation at least
reasonably satisfactory to the administration Is
enacted at the present session President Roose-
veIt on March 3 will call ar extraordinary seS-
sion of the LVIIIth Congress The President
himself has told members # Congress Of his
desire and his determination u is understood
that the announcement was direct and unquah-
fed
1t Is further said that the determination of
the President was reached only after careful
consideration Of the strenuous efforts that are
being made to defeat any antitrust legislation
by Congress These efforts have covered wide
range They were characterized to-day by one
prominent Republican leader. 10 quote him
directly "as the most remarkable OF which I
have had personal knowledge during my public
life
These efforts eliminated in the last thirty-sx
hours it is now declared, in direct appeals
from the Standard Oil Company. through its
president John D. Rockefeller. to members Of
the Senate not to enact any antitrust legisla-
ton at this time
RoCKEFELLER's ALLEGED DISPATCH
No less than six United States Senators have
received telesrams signed John D. Rockefeller"
urging that no antitrust legislation be enact
ed. II has not been possible 70 obtain a copy OF
these dispatches. which. It can be said, are
practically identical. Substantially. they read
follows:
We are opposed to any antitrust legislation,
Our counsel, Mr.. - will see you IL must
be stopped.
AS stated these kilograms (and IL must bs
clear that only the substance and not the exact
wording is here gven), were signed John ID.
Rockefeller
Yesterday morning one OF the counsel OF thss
Standard Oil Company arrived in Washington
and called Immediately 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 informed. Bit curtly.
that his presence here was undesirable, and M
departed with an intimation that he would bet
ter return TO New-York.
In the afternoon information concerning the
receipt Of the n1esagess 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 it became
known that this not the first time the
Standard Oil Company. through its attorneys.
had endeavored tc influence legislation in Con-
gress at this session. The attorneys OF the COM
pany, it was stated. had vigorously opposed the
enactment of the measures submitted by Attor-
| ney General Knox to the subcommittee Of the
| House Judiciary Committee
AGAINST PUBLCTTT-
subsequently when what is known the
| IttIedeld BILL was reported 20 the House. 20 can
! be said on the best authority that the Standard
| Oil Company's counsel began to devote their
orrosftion particularly to the Nelson amendment
I TO Section s Of the Department Of Com
merce biIl-the amendment which contains prac-
tfcalIy the publicity features Of the Knox Anti
Trust bill They did not want that incorporated
/ in the measure and, il is said, used
| rant
! BILE consideration They were unsuccessful.
as the bill with that amendment agreed
! 11pon unanimously to-day by the Conferrees OF
I the two branches of Congress. The action OF
the conferrees was received it is understood.
with satisfaction by the officials of the adna1nts-
/ tration as it is regarded as long and essential
/ step toward the kind Of antitrust legislation
that both the President and Attorney General
Knox believe will Be effective 1t is this legisla-
/ ton particularly that the Standard Oil Company
| so vigorously objects to. and which II hoped
/ might be headed off or emasculated. through
| the appeals made to Sena tors. before 1t reached
| the stage of actual passage
IF is said bv authority that the administration
| homes that the Eskins rebate bill. which was
| passed by the Senate this week. will be passed
| also bv The House While this measure also IL
/ opposed by those who are in favor OF no trust
/ legislation the special opposition to it does not
| come from the Standard Oil Company, because
] 1t is explained that corporation has grown re-
vond anv effects the enforcement Of such leg
| isIation might have on it. The President, IL 1s
| understood. regards the Elkins bill as essential
| +o q rounding out of the administrations plan
for antitrust legislation. and 1t is believed by
| those in close touch with him and with the con-
| ditions in Congress that it yet may be enacted
/ into law
| Tonight the efforts being made TO defeat or
euasculate pending antitrust legislation formed
! rho subject of some animated conferences In
/ dead the subject is likely TO be developed in
/ some detail in Congress. 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 another in a
/ legislative contest put in my hands by
/ the sender of that telegram II necessary L
will rise in my place in the Senate and read it.
| Then we will see whether AMI votes are TO be
| recorded against the legislation at which these
/ efforts are being directed"
| An attempt made last evening TO see
| ] d Rockefeller and other officers and directors
/ of the Standard Oil Company. in regard 10 the
report printed above, but they could not be
reached John D. Archbold. through msssen-
! ger when told of :he dispatch. said he had not
/ seen Mr. Rockefeller in several days. ana khe"
| nothing of such "A report
|