 A series of political references is included in the 1902 stage version, such as references by name to the President, to a powerful senator, and to John D. Rockefeller for providing the oil needed by the Tin Woodman.Scholars have found few political references in Baum's Oz books after 1902.Baum himself was asked whether his stories had hidden meanings, but he always replied that they were written to "please children".