Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-02-08
Six Senators Receive kilograms Signed
with Oil Msgnate's Name.
MESSAGES STRONGLY OPPOSE ANY ACTION
Combines Attorney Waits on Legislators,
but is Bundled Out
CONGRESS APPROACHED IN MANY WAYS
Ever since Bills Were Introduced
Efforts Have Been Made to De-
feat or Render Them Power
less TO Protect Public.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1T can be stated
by authority that unless antitrust legls-
lation at least reasonably satisfactory to
the administration is passed at the present
session, President Roosevelt will call an
extraordinary session of congress on
March 8.
The president himself has told members
of congress of his desire and of his de-
termination in this regard and it is under
stood that the announcement was direct
and unqualified.
1t is further stated that the determina-
tion of the president was reached only after
careful consideration of the strenuous ef-
forts that are being made to defeat any
antitrust legislation by congress These
efforts have covered a wide range They
were characterized today by one promi-
| nent republican leader:
THE most remarkable of which 1 have
had any personal knowledge during my
| public life"
Messages Signed Rockefeller.
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. Rock
! efeller, to members OF the senate not to
enact antitrust legislation at this time.
No less than six United States senator's
have received kilograms signed John D.
Rockefeller" urging that no antitrust
legislation be enacted. 1t has not been
possible to obtain copy OF these dis
patches, but 1t can be said that they are
practically Identical.
Substantially they read as follows:
We are opposed to any antitrust legisla-
tion. Our counsel, Mr.. - will see you.
JOHN d. ROCKEFELLER
Yesterday morning one OF the Standard
Oil company's lawyers arrived in Washing
ton and called Immediately ON 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 bit curtly that his presence wai
I tion that he would betteF return to New
! York
OIL Lawyers Seen Before.
During the afternoon information con,
cerning the receipt OF the messages leaket
out and became the subject OF sohie Quie
cloak room discussion in the senate. Th'
news also reached the house. some Of tn,
prominent representatives learning the gis
of the dispatches. Then 1t became know
that this was not the first time the Stand
ard Oil company, through it's attorneys
had endeavored to influence legislation IL
congress at this session.
The attorneys for the company, 1t wa
stated had opposed vigorously the enact
ment of the measures submitted by Attor
ney General Knox to the subcommittee o
the house judiciary committee. Subse
quently, when what is known as the Little
field bill was reported to the house, /
can be said, on the best OF authority, tn
Standard Oil company's counsel began L
devote their opposition particularly to tn
Nelson ame ndment to section 6 Of the de
partment of commerce bill, the amendmen
which contains practically the publicit
features of the Knox antitrust bill. The
cid not want that incorporated in the meas
ure and It is said used their utmost effort
to prevent its favorable consideration.
All Efforts Have Failed.
They we're unsuccessful, as the bill, wit
that amendment. was agreed upon unanl
mously today by the conference Of the tw
: : branches Of congress. The action of tn
conferees was received with satisfaction
1t is understood. by the officials of the ad
ministration, as It is regarded as a lon
and essential step toward the kind Of anti
trust legislation that both the presideu
. and Attorney General Knox believe wi
: be effective. 1t is this legislation particu
larly that the Standard Oil company 8
vigorously objects to and which it hope
might be headed of or emasculated, throug
the appeals made to senators, before
was actually passed.
, 1t is said by authority that the admins
tration hopes that the Elkins rebate bill
which was passed by the senate this weel
will be passed also by the house. Will
this measure. too, is opposed by 'hos
, who are opposing any trust legislation, tn
: special opposition to IT does not come froi
the Standard OIL company because, 1t
. explained, that corporation has grown be
yond the effects the enforcement Of sue
legislation might have upon It,
, The president, IL is understood, regard
! the Elkins bill as essential to a roundin
out Of the Administrations plan for anti
A trust legislation, and 1t is believed by thoe
in close touch with him and with the col
a ditions in congress that 1t yet may be er
acted into law.
Tonight the efforts being made to defel
n or emasculate pending antitrust legislS
tion formed the subject for some animate
conferences Indeed, the subject is like
r to be developed in some detail in congres
One of the recipients OF kilograms signe
by John D. Rockefeller said:
No such formidable weapon ever has bee
| put in the hands of one man by anothl
In a legislative matter was put I'm n
hands by the sender OF that telegram.
necessary l will rise in my place In Il
senate and read IT, Then we will 5,
} whether any votes are to be record,
X against the legislation at which these e