The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-16
Declares New Lobby at Work to Force Early Adjournment of
 Congress
WILL USE EVERY
 INFLUENCE TO PASS
 PENDING MEAs IFS
Wilson Makes Public Letter Forms From Business Firms Urging Halt in Trust Action and
 Rate Increases

Rate Increases
 Washington. June 15.-President Wilson came out today with u flat declaration that, despite what he char acterixed as a deliberate campaign by certain interests to secure adjournment of Congress and postponement of the administrators trust Legislation pro- gramme, he would use every influence at his command to get the pending bills through the senate at this ses- sion.
 Choosing his words carefully, the President disclosed his belief that ganized distribution of circular letters and telegrams among business men, members of Congress and other public officials. calling for an adjournment of Congress, a halt in the trust bills increase in freight rates for the rail- roads and a rest for business was responsible for what he recently de- scribed as psychological depres- sion"
 In support of that view. the White '1ouSt iIdQt PubiiC tOPicS oi iStttio d telegrams brought in by friends of
 administration. one letter was cir
 l by the Simmons Hardware com
 f St Louis, under date of June 9.
 -ior to that date President Will
 ad offered to E. C. simmons.
 mt of that company, place on
 lerai reserve board. Today, just the President expressed his views
 ist programme. it was announced M Ar Simmons had declined the ap-
 nent and that Charles S Hamlin
 ston would be nominated in his
 te House officials emphatieally
 that the Simmons letter had to lh the declination of the appoint meut. It was said, however, thift sife President did not know of the letter when he offered Mir. simmons the place
 Mild Sensation
 The Presidents declaration and the ! publication of the letters created mild sensation approaching that which fol- lowed the Presidents denunciatidn of the 'insidious lobbying which, he said, was threatening the tariff bill last year Senators and representatives discussed the situation, but no action was taken. One of the letters made public pur- ported to have been sent out by the Pictoral Review company of New York. and was signed by w. P Ahnelt, presi- dent, under date of May 1. It accom- panied a prepared letter protesting against trust legislation. praying for freight rate increase and suggesting an adjournment of Congress, with the further suggestion that the recipient mall copies to the members of Congress, the interstate commerce commission tnd other officials in Washington. The let ter signed by Ahnelt says that pros perity has been lost somewhere in this country, owing to the mischievous ac- tivities of the politicians" and that the draft of an inclosed letter embraces the views of majority of the think ing business people of our section"
 Part of Letter
 In part, the form letter for trans mission to public officials was as fol- lows:
 We ask in the name of the suffer- ing American people and in the name of common sense, why wantonly harrass business at this juncture, when 1t is struggling for its very existence?
 why throw more thousands oc men idle when so many families are already straving?
 why subject business to any experi- mental Legislation now, when it is not prosperous? Postpone 1t. Drastic action on your part is d peril at this time. What we do need is little building up-no more tearing down
 The granting of the petition of the eastern railroads for . per cent freight increase will do more for the prosperity of the country than all leg, islation against unlawful restraint and monopolies s'The continual senseless attacks by governmental bodies upon merchants railroads. industrial and mercantile corporations, revision of the tariff and currency reform have resulted in sink ing business to such an extent that II has thrown hundrecs of thousands out of employment. reduced wages and de- creased values in railroad industries and mercantile corporations to the ex- tent of at least $3,00o,00o.000.
 Unemployed Problem
 "The most serious situation that con fronts the country today Is the fact that unemployment is growing more acute. We ask Congress to halt before ft is too late. Postpone all antibusiness !, x1egislation."
 prepared telegram much to the same effect, but in condensed terms was attached.
 The Simmons letter declared that tht things which stood in the way of pros perity were the Mexican situation. tht awaited advance in freight rates ant continued hostile legislation of Con gress It said in part:
 "Especially do we recommend th& no further attempt at legislation oi : the matter of the control of business X or passing of antitrust laws should b' continued at this time. What the coun try needs more now than anything els is quiet time--an absolute rest iron the agitation of politics and assaults upon business--it does not make an, difference whether it Is big business O. little business.
 "We therefore strongly recommend N and earnestly hope that Congress ma " be convinced that they have don y enough law making for the present that the country is absolutely tiret and surfeited with rt1itical agitations and that the agitation now of the con trol of business is exceedingly. injur ious and will serve to retard an i'm proyement in business. which other wise would he very great and rapid. Urge Conference
 We submit these arguments or req sons to you asking you and prayini