Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-09-21
AN IMPUDENT THREAT.

A strange tale comes from Washing
ton. 1t is to the effect that II. h.
Rogers, in behalf of the STANDARD
Oil group" of millionaires. recently
visited the President and explained
that the supreme courts decision in
tie Northern Securities case had
caused him and his associates grave
apprehension, says the Inter Ocean.
He had heard, Mr.. Rogers con-
tinued, that the administration con-
templated similar action against the
United States Steel corporation. He
wished frank statement of the ad-
ministration's policy. He asked, in
fact. whether the President meant to
enforce the law against himself and
his associates as he would against
other people.
The President, ignoring the insult
of such question, explained to Mr..
Rogers that he had no intention OF
desire to harass business interests, but
as the Interpretation of the highest
court had left the law no longer doubt
f1l he had no choice but to enforce
the law. If the Steel corporation
had been acting contrary to the law
he would expect it to conform to the
law, and hoped this would be done
voluntarily. Reasonable time would
be given. and no compulsory action
taken until it became apparent that
there was an intention to defy the
law. But action would have to he
taken against all corporations which
20 cd suo y 10
to adjust themselves to the law. With
out violating his oath of Office he
could not do otherwise
Then Mr.. Rogers tried to convince
the President that it was "impractic-
able" for the United States Steel and
other consultations now TO obey the
law. He hoped the President would
reconsider his determination. especial
ly if he expected to succeed himself
as President. The President answered
that he had no discretion, as he must
enforce the law.
"Then there will be war;" Mr.
Rogers is said TO have exclaimed. ris-
ing from his chair.
"War or no war;" answered Mr..
Roosevelt, "The law shall be no by
word
Such is the strange tale that comes
from Westinghouse tale that would
be incredible were it not known that
the man who asked the insulting ques-
tion represented those who have on
other occasions displayed similar
impropriety of conduct, and were it
not known that the men who made the
impudent threat have not hesitated in
the past to attempt similar insolent
dictation
We have but to remember the
famous Rockefeller telegram TO the
Senate. Attempts were made to
shuttle off responsibility for that upon
the folly of young Mr.. Rockefeller,
but whatever its source its arrogance
was seen to be typical of the attitude
of the men now said to presume to
threaten the President of the United
States.
That these men should have pre-
sumed to ask that insulting question
and to make that impudent threat is
therefore by no means incredible.
There is one point, however, that
these gentlemen would do we'll to re-
member. When they threaten war un-
less they can have immunity from the
laws they threaten more than Theo-
dore Roosevelt. They threaten the
President of the United States and
through him they threaten the whole
American people.
They would do we'll to remember
what is the fate of those who chal-
lenge the American people to war.