The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-05
Standard Oil Men Say That
Story Is Absurd.
PART OF THE PLOT.
Charged That Plans Were Made
at a Dinner.
Attended by Politicians and
Corporation Representatives.


New York, April Sc. H. Harri-
man declines absolutely to talk about
the report from Washington that
Standard Oil and associated interests
had raised fund of $5.OOO,00 to pre-
vent the nomination for president of
a man of President Roosevelts choos-
ing in 1908.
The comment of Frank Q. Barstow.
a Standard Oil director on the story
was:
1T is simply absurd. that's all I
have to say
a representative of interests close
ly connected with the Standard Oil
company and Mr.. Hartman said he
knew nothing about the fund
Neither L nor my associates know
anything about such a fund" he said.
Il think every sensible man must
think that the story is merely a wild
yarn
Mr.. Hartman had a talk late yes
terday with H. H. Rogers of the
Standard Oil company. He said at its
business matters, which were not con-
neeted in anyway with President
Roosevelt.
The Washington Story.
Washington, April .5.-President
Roosevelt has taken the field openly
against the combination of corpora
tlons and rich men, who are charged
by him with a conspiracy to defeat his
policies by controlling both the nation
al conventions next year.
He is out to fight and he wants the
public to know it. He is convinced that
an underhanded campaign has already
been started by the other side to place
in the White House as his successor a
man who will serve the combination
and not the public.
IQI1t IT. H.
his convictions upon than the mere
opposition of such men as Hartman
and Rockefeller to his most public
spirited policies. He has information
which can not be questioned that they
have perfected their organization and
are at work with promises of success
that give them encouragement.
That Five Million Dollars.
The way the president found this out
is sensational and interesting in the ex-
treme. There was recently given din
ner, whether in Washington or in New
York the president has not said. The
diners included many of the leading
stock manipulators and corpora ton mag
mates of the United States, and several
politicians. One of them is said to be
Senator Penrose of Philadelphia. He
told of the plans that had been formed
and the work already accomplished. He
said that fund of million dollars
had been raised to defeat the admin
Dental fight. More money would be
forthcoming if it were needed. Several
of the men present had not been taken
ir to me confidence of the leaders. Sena-
tor Penrose, it is said, explained to
them the purpose and force of the
Among the men to whom
Penrose talked was one who believed in
President Roosevelt and what he has
done and what he is attempting to do.
This man informed the president
The president knows exactly who the
diners were; knows what was said, and
is fully informed respecting the inten-
tions of those who have formed the
co1a animation against him and the means
by which they expect to carry out
their scheme.
Because he knows the danger is real
and not fancied, he is determined to
start the fight at once to prevent the
American people from being led astray.
The success of the reactionaries the
president would look upon as the one
defeat for all the Roosevelt policies. 1t
is known at the White House that one
of the plans contemplated in order to
accomplish the defeat of the Roosevelt
policies is to encourage the idea that he
is a candidate for a third term and send
delegations instructed for him. These
delegations will not be committed as to
a second choice. The manipulatOrS
know Roosevelt will not run and the
DELEGATIONS which otherwise would have
been for Taft or some other candidate
could then be thrown to a reactionary
candidate.
Taft Is His Man.
The president has made no conceal
ment of his belief that Taft, more tina n
any other man in public life. represents
the views and purposes which he him
self upholds. He is prepared to do bat
tie for the continuation of his policies, |
because he believes those policies are
for the best interests of the country,
but at the same time he holds that Taft |
Is the one man who can be relied upon
to carry out these policies and to make
certain to the country a continuation of
the great work which he himself has
started.
Against Taft, the candidate of the
reactionaries has not been named, but
it is believed here that Senator Knox |
is regarded most favorably.
This would account for the general
that Senator Penrose is !
Identified with the anti-Roosevelt |
betrayed the secrets of
the combination There are explana- |
tions given of why Penrose did this |
the senator. Whether they are true or /
not, it is a fact that the president un-
derstands that Penrose was in the
movement to defeat him. and that it I
was due to Penrose's garrulity that he
is now so well Informed Of what the
leaders are plotting. |
Haywood Says It's Unfair.
Denver. April 5.-A special to the |
News from Boise, Idaho contains a /
statement from William d. Haywood. /
secretary of the Western Federation of
now in prison there in con- |
nection with the assassination of ex- |
Governor StuenenberE, commenting !
upon certain references to him by !
President Roosevelt in letters to J. S. |
Sherman of New York, giving public |
lty recently through the Roosevelt |