New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-07
ROCKEFELLER'S
MILLIONS BACK
THE OPEN SHOP
John D., Jr., Says Colorado
Mines Would Be Lost
for Principle.
WITNESS IN PROBE
OF WESTERN STRIKE
Spokesman for Father at
Hearing Before House
Committee.
NOT DUMMY DIRECTOR
Explains How Social Upllft ir
Mines Is Left to Men
He Enrnt0vc
WITNESS IN PROBE
OF WESTERN STRIKE
NOT DUMMY DIRECTOR
Explains How Social Upllft In
Mines Is Left to Men
He Employs.
rTrom Tns rrrsuns sur.su.l


Washington, April 8. - That the
Rockefeller interests would lose an the
millions Of dollars that they have in
vested in the Colorado coal feids TO
maintain the open shop was asserted
20 the House Mines COMMITTEES to-day
by John D. Rockefeller ir.. who ap-
peared as a witness in the tnveetise-
tion OF the labor troubles OF the Col
orado Fuel and Iron Company.
Mr. Rockefeller. who spoke for hfa,
father, who owns 40 per cent OF thai
stock of the company, said that the
fight was for the principles Of frss-
dom Of labor" and that he and his as
sociates would rather that the present
violence continue land lose all OF their
millions invested In the coal fields than
that American workingmen should
be deprived Of the right under the Con-
stltution to work for whom they
pleased"
In support Of this Mr.. Rockefellcr
was kept busy for hours explaining
defending and arguing. He said that
employer and employe were fellow
men and should treat each other b.
such" but he could see no analogy be-
tween the unionization of workmeR
and the combination OF capital.
He told the committee that 'his con
science acquitted him. Of having done
his full duty in regard to the striking
coal diggers by placing competent
in authority over them and leaving re-
sponsibiity to those men.
Members OF the committee spoke Of
Mr.. RockefeHer's interest and work IN
various "uplift movements" and asked
why he had not gone about welfare
work in the Colorado coal fields IN
similar way.
'I did Just exactly as I have done In
all Of my Investigations" he said. II
picked out the best qualified men !
could find, placed them in charge and
trusted them TO do their best"
No amount OF cross-examinatior
COulu EllbkS Aiklb bAdANluNnAs <ac tnN
hearing drew to a close Mr.. Rockefeller
said that he would consider arbitration
of the dispute in the Colorado field II
he could be assured that fair and un
biassed board of arbitration could be se-
cured. He suggested federal judges a.
the best qualified 20 serve on such .
board.
Mr. Rockefeller spent four hours or
the witness stand and was constantly
under the fire OF questions not entirely
complimentary. lie was at ease
throughout and declined TO become ruff
fed. He was attired in a snug fitting.
brown striped worsted suit and re-
sembled an ordinary young business
man as he sat at the committee table
and furnished prompt answers. He
had an 'T don't know" ready for many
questions, but seemed anxious 20 avoid
sidestepping.
At the outset OF the hearing ne said
he held just enough stock OF the Colo
RADIO Fuel and Iron Company TO qualify
him as a director.
Chairman Foster soon developed that
he had not attended a directors meet
ing in ten years, nor had he seen his
Colorado properties within a decade.
Are you a dummy director?'' asked
Representative Byrnes, OF South Caro-
lima.
II do not so regard myself" an
swered Mr.. Rockefeller.
After questions developing Mr..
Rockefeller's unfamIliarity with the de-
tails Of the mining business and his
repeated declarations that these mat
ters were left TO the resident officers OF
the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company.
including President ]. r. welborn and
l.. NJ Bowers, chairman Of the board !.
Chairman Foster said: ~
"Mr. Rockefeller, I believe YOU ara
affiliated with certain philanthropic and
sociological organizations, including tbs
Rockefeller Foundation and the Bureau
Of Physical Research"
"Yes. we contribute to them" said
Mr.. Rockefeller.
You were also interested. I believe.
in the Chicago Vice Commissions
work and were the foreman Of a New
York grand jury which investigated the
white slave traffic" continued Chair
man Foster. "still. with 10000 striking
miners in Colorado. what have YOU done
to look out after them?"
Il have done what I regard as, the
best thing l could have done IN the in
terest of the employees and the large
amount we have invested" said Mr..
Rockefeller.
"What have YOU done personally TO
end this striker" asked Mr.. Foster.
II have done nothing personally Ny
only knowledge comes from the CORE
spondence / have had with the men In
Charge there. So long as We have officials