The Daily Missoulian., 1914-06-16


Wilson came out today with a fla
: declaration that, despite what NJ
characterized as a deliberate campaign
by certain interests to bring about al
adjournment Of congress and post
ponement of the administrators trus
legislation program, he would use eV-
cry influence at his command to ge
the pending bills through the senate
at this session.
Choosing his words carefully, the
president disclosed his belief that Or
ganized distribution of circular ;etters
and kilograms among business men
members of congress and other public
officials. calling for an adjournment
of congress, a halt in the trust bills,
an increase in freight rates for the
railroads and a rest for business. was
responsible for what he recently de-
scrbed as psychological depres-
sion"
Letters.
In support of that view the White
House made public copies OF sucn let
ters and kilograms which have oeen
brought in by friends of the ADMIN
istration. One of the letters which
fell into the hands of White House
officials was circulated by the Sim
mons Hardware company of st. Louis
under date of June 9.
just prior to that date President
Wilson had offered to E. c. Simmons,
president of that company, a place on
the federal reserve board Today
just before the president expressed
his views on the trust program, it was
announced that Mr.. Simmons had de-
cHned the appointment and that
Charles S. Hamlin of Boston would be
nominated in his stead.
White House officials denied the
Simmons letter had to do with the
decinaton of the appointment. 1t
was said however, that the president
did not know of the letter when ne
offered Mr. Simmons the place.
A Sensation.
The presidents declaration and the
publication of the letters created a
mild sensation approaching that which
followed the presidents denunclation
of an "insiduous lobby" which he said
was threatening the tariff bill last
year.
One of the letters made public pur-
ported to have been sent out by the
Pictorial Review company of New
York and was signed by w. p. All
melt, president, under date of May 1.
1t accompanied a prepared letter pro-
testing against trust legislation, pray
ing for freight rate increase and sug
gesting an adjournment of congress
with the further suggestion that the
recipient mail copies to the president,
members of congress, the interstate
commerce commission and other or
ficials in Washington. The letter
signed by Ahnelt follows:
s AhneIt Letter
We take the privilege of writing
you on subject of vital importance
to yourself and the country at large.
1t is no doubt evident to YOU that
prosperity has been lost somewhere
in this country. owing to the mis-
chievous activities of the politicians
is recognized by all men.
I'VE enclose herewith draft of a
letter which embraces the majority of
the thinking people of our section of
the country and which should be ad-
dressed to the president of the United
States, the congress and members of
the interstate commerce commission,
respectively. Might we suggest If
you agree with us. that you take the
trouble of writing letters of a similar
character to the president, the mem
bers of the United States senate the
house of representatives from your
state. If you prefer to use copies of
the enclosed letters we will mall you
as many copies as you can corven-
iently use. 1t will be more effective.
however, if you write them on your
own letterheads. The sooner this
appeal is made the greater effect II
will have on the politicians who have
caused the loss of prosperity.
Enclosed find list of names and
addresses to whom the letter should
be sent. but we omit the names OF
the representatives and senators from
your state with whom you are nc
doubt familiar"
In part. the form letter which was
presented for transmission to public
officials was as follows.
Appeal.
we respectfully appeal to your
sense of justice and ask in the name
of the suffering American people, ir
the name of common sense, Why wan
tonly harrass business at this juncture
when it is struggling for it's very ex-
istence?
why throw more thousands O.
men idle when SO many families are
already starving?
Why subject business to any ex,
perimental legislation now when it i.
not prosperous? Postpone it, Drastic
action on your part is al peril at thi
time. What we do need is a littl
building up-no more tearing down
We have had a sufflciency of expert
mental legislation for the present.