The Daily Missoulian., 1914-06-16
PRESIDENT INSISTS
SENATE MUST ACT
Mr.. Wilson Comes Out With Flat Declaration on the
Antitrust Measures Which Are the Object, He Says,
of Deliberate Attack by Certain Interests.


the eastern railroads for per cen
freight increase will do more for tht
prosperity and development OF the
country than all legislation agains
unlawful restraint and monopolies.
Such a determination will resul,
in movement forward, not backward
and any contrary determination by
the interstate commerce commission
will emphasize the fact that Washing
ton hostility is baking prosperity
The merchants of this country are
vitally interested. Business must not
be retarded, otherwise commercial
failures will increase.
"Tha continual sense1ess attacks by
governmental bodies upon merchants
by impending assaults upon railroad
industrial and mercantile corpora :
tions, revision of the tariff and cur
rency reform have resulted in sink
ing business to such an extent that
it has thrown hundreds of thousands
out of employment reduced wages
and decreased values in railroad in
dustries and mercantile corporations
to the extent of at least $4,000, ,OOO, 900.
The most serious situation that
confronts the country today is that
unemployment is growing more acute.
We need relief We ask the congress
of the United States to halt before
it is too late Postpone all anti-busi-
ness legislation. Give the country a
rest, and last. but not least, permit
congress to earn well. deserved early
rest"
A prepared telegram much to the
same effect, but in condensed terms,
was attached
Simmons Letter.
The Simmons letter declared that
the three things which stood in the
way of prosperity were the Mexican
situation, 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 control Of business or
passing of anti trust laws should be
country needs more now than any
tHlIiS else Is quiet tlHle-itH aDSO-
lutte rest from the agitation of politics
and assaults upon business-it does
not make aHy difference whether it is
big business or little business.
1--WE therefore strongly recommend
and earnestly hope that congress may
be convinced that they have done
enough lawmaking for the present;
that the country is tired and surfeited
with political agitations and that the
agitation now of the control of busi-
ness is exceedingly injurious and will
business which otherwise would be
great and rapid-bringing in the most
desirable way the greatest good to
the greatest number
We submit these arguments or
reasons to you asking YOU and pray
ing you to use your best influence in
following the lines suggested in this
communication, viz; To have con-
gress shut up shop and go home. If
you agree with us, send to your con-
gressmen and senators a telegram
something like the inclosed and urge
your commercial club to pass strong
resolutions along similar lines and
send them to Washington. Our rep
reaentatiVeS there are worn out physi
cally and mentally and will welcome
your suggestion that further consider
alton and legislation affecting busi-
ness be postponed until December"
The president declined to make any
extended comment on the letters, de-
claring they spoke for themselves.