The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-05-14

John ID. Rockefeller, ,Jr., who has
done some really splendid things in
using his wealth in encouraging in
vestigations and research along social
and economic lines, is making a very
serious mistake in his contention That
the issue in the Colorado mining dis
tricts is between the employers and
the employees only; that the public
has no right or concern in the outcome
of the struggle.
1t is easy for Mr.. Rockefeller TO de-
clare that There is nothing to arhi-
trate' That might be possible il
none were concerned except the mine
operators and the mine workers. The
mine workers want their union recog-
niZed. The mine operators refuse.
Therefore. let it be war TO the finish.
That might be a satisfactory and
logical way of solving the trouble. did
it not happen that the public had GER
tain rights and interests that must
not be ignored in any conflict between
employers and employees. In his testi-
mony before the committee or the
House of Representatives, reprinted
in Tuesdays Tribune. Mr.. Rockefeller
declared that he would rather see the
mines CLOSED up permanently and
lose every dollar of investment than
concede' the recognition OF the Min
ers' Union. This declaration showed
very plainly that he has lost sight of
a principle more important even than
that which he calls the right of free
dom of labor and that is the right of
the public at large to uninterrupted
service on the part of those who deal
in the necessaries of life. Coal min 7s,
whether technically so or not, are as
much public service agencies as rail-
roads, and they have no right to close
up permanently because of a quarrel
with their employees. 1t is not so much
a question of Mr.. Rockefeller and his
associates being willing to lose their
investment as a question OF whethe"
the public shall be deprived of nee
essity With the ownership of these
mines there goes 4 public obligation
and trusteeship. and the trustees have
no option whether they shall carry
out their trusteeship or not.
The same contention made by lr.
Rockefe Mr. was urged by the mine OPP
orators in 1902. in the strike in the
anthracite regions in Pennsylvania.
The mine owners declared: There
is nothing TO arbitrate." President
Roosevelt. ignoring the claims and de-
mands of the operators and miners
alike, decided that the public had
some rights, inasmuch as a coal fam
inc was imminent. He appointed a
commission which brought the strike
to an end. President Wilson may have
to do the same thing in Colorado, if
Mr.. Rockefeller maintains his attitude
OF absoutism.
The question of the freedom of la
Dor" is big one and involves a big
principle But We may be pardoned
for doubling whether the Standard Oil
interests are really very deeply con-
cerned for the protection of the unor-
ganized labor elements. The perman-
ent and final determination OF that
principle is not necessarily involved
in the settlement of this strike. Some
middle ground of concession may be
found. if Mr.. Wilson appoints such a
commission as that appointed by Mr..
Roosevelt. When both strikers and
employers are brought together in the
center of the stage under the gaze
of the whole country. neither side Is
likely to reject a reasonable basis OF
compromise.
The first number on the program in
Colorado is the restoration of law and
order. The Federal troops are attend
ing TO that. That will not be all. The
government can not afford TO keep an