The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-06-17
WILSON ARRA|GNS STRENGTH
AGAINST LOBBYING BUSINESS
The President FIatIy Admits Belief in Outside
Efforts To Hinder Antitrust Legislation.
Letters Being Widely Circulated.

I lot prosperous? Postpone it! Drastic
action on your part is a peril g. this
time. What we do need is G little
building up and not moro tearing
down.
"The granting of the petition of the
Eastern railroads for a five per cent.
freight increase will do more for the
prosperity of the country than all leg
station against unlawful restraint and
monopolies.
"The continual senseless attacks by
government bodies upon merchants,
railroad, Industrial and mercantile
corporations, revision OF the tariff and
currency reform have resulted in sink
ing business to such an extent that it
has thrown hundreds of thousands out
of employment, reduced wages and
foreclosed values in railroad in
dustries and mercantile corporations
to the extent of at least $4,000 100000.
"The most serious situation that
confronts the country today is the fact
that unemployment is growing more
acute. We ask congress to halft before
it is too late. Postpone all anti bus
mess legislations."
A prepared telegram much to the
same effect, but in condensed terms,
was attached.
The Simmons letter declared that
the three things which stood in the
way of prosperity were Mexican sit
uation, the awaited advance in freight
rates and continued hostile legislation
in congress. 1t said in part:
Especially do we recommend that
no further attempt at legislation on
the matter Of the control of business
or passing of antitrust laws should
be continued at this time. What the
country needs more now than anything
else is a quiet time-an absolute rest
from the agitation of politics and as
saults upon business-it does not make
any difference whether it is big busi-
ness or little business.
1--WE therefore, strongly recommend
and earnestly hope that Congress may
be convinced that they have done
enough law making for the present;
that, the country is absolutely tired
and surfeited with the political agita-
tions and that. the agitation now Of
the control of business Is exceeding
ly injurious and will serve to retard
Improvement in business which 9TH
erwise would be great and rapid.
"We submit the arguments or rea-
sons to you, asking you ard praying
you to use your best influence in fol-
lowing the lines suggested in this COM
munication, viz: To have congress to
shut up shop and go home. If you
agree with me, send to your congress-
men and senators a telegram some
thing like the enclosed and urge your
commercial club to pass strong reso-
lutions along some lines and send
them. to Washington.
"Our representatives there are worn
out, physically and mentally, and will
welcome your suggestions that further
consideration and legislation affecting
business be postponed until Decem-
Der.
The president declined to make any
extended comment on the letters, de-
claring that they spoke for themsel-
yes.
st. Louis, Mo-, June 15.-E. G. Sim
mons today denied that the letter from
the Simmons Hardware company re-
garding the trust legislation was the
cause of his declination to serve on
the Federal reserve board