Evening star., 1915-05-21
Members of Board Consider Round
Robin" Calling for Moderate
Course of Questioning.


IT was understood. they would dc
should their suggestion go unheeded
Chairman Walsh said he didn't know
what had happened in the executive
session.
THE examination of MIR. Rockefeller.
he said has and viii be conducted with
due consideration. and the truth will be
arrived at.
Mr.. Rockefeller began today by read
ing prepared statement which related TO
Chairman Walsh's questioning on his view
of the regularity of the conviction of John
r. Lawson, a mine workers leader. Mr..
Rockefeller spoke of sinister reflections.
and said Chairman Walshs questions had
been framed to make it appear that Mr..
Rockefeller conceded there had been will
full tampering with the courts.
Mr.. Rockefeller's Statement.
His statement follows:
Since giving my testimony yester-
day have read with care the stenos
rspher's transcript of the questions
asked by the chairman of this commits
sion in reference to the Lawson trial.
and my view of certain Hypothetical
cases, and the course ! would take.
should the facts subsequently prove TO
be as presented
'As these questions all relate to a
-
fore the courts of this country. I feel
that my position cannot be too pre-
cisely stated. both respects the
questions already asked and questions
of similar nature which may be aG-
dressed and | therefore desire to give
10 this commission my opinion on these
matters III the form of a written state
ment, which Will he uneQuivocal and
admit of no Misunderstanding or mis-
interpretation.
'AS already my oniOIoD ie
that justice should be SO administered
as 10 be above suspicion, and IL in any
material particular the trial of Mr..
Lawson has been wanting in this re-
spect. | for one should desire to see
the supreme court of Colorado. to
which the appeal has been taken. care
fully consider every ground that may
be urged and grant a new trial should
any material ground be sustained.
No Right to Interfere With Court.
Il have no more right than has any
other citizen in this country to attempt
In interfere with or influence the
courts of justice. and questions which
are SO framed as to seek to put me In
the position of appearing to concede
that there have been willful tampering
with the courts, or of stating what
am prepared to do TO influence the fu-
ture course of justice, either as re-
spects Mr.. Lawson or any other person,
I cannot regard as other than improper
questions and a direct reflection upon
those VINO are charged with the admin :
istration OF justice. To sinister reflec-
tions of this kind ! must decline to be
4 party. even by inference.
Were l. either directly or indirectly
TO attempt to influence the judiciary
of Colorado as respects the present ap-
peal in Mr.. Lawson's trial. / should bs
guilty of the very procedure agains,
which witnesses before this commission
have so strongly protested. and which
myself have not less strongly con
demned, and hope the chairman of the
commission will not expect from me
replies to any questions which imply
that I believe others have been guilty
of unlawful or improper acts In th<
administration of justice. or that en-
tertain a position superior TO tnat OF
any other citizen of the republic, either
before the law or toward this admins.
tration.
Questioned by Chairman Walsh.
when Mr.. Rockefeller concluded
Chairman Walsh said:
IF there are any questions ask that
you think should not be answered you
may state the fact and the commission
will consider what should be done.
suppose your high regard for law ex-
tends to all officers charged with ad-
ministration of the law?"
srYes il does" said Mr.. Rockefeller.
You haven't a contempt for officers
of the law who do not do your bid
ding"
do you undertake 10 correct Officers
1--WE don't undertake to get officers
OF the law in any position. That is en-
L. At,syN
Chairman Walsh then read a letter
written TO Mr. Rockefeller by l.. NJ.
Bowers. former superintendent OF the
executive department OF the Colorado
FUEL and Iron Company. November IS.
1918. which included the following:
You will be interested to know that
we have been able TO secure the CO.
operation of all the bankers of the
city. who have had three or Tour inter-
views with our little cowboy governor,
agreeing to back the state and lend II
ali the funds necessary TO maintain the
militia and afford ample protection. SO
that our miners could return TO work.
~ give protection to men who are anx-
inus 10 come up here from Texas. New
N.xtco and Kansas. together with some
from states farther east
other Appeals to Governor.
"Besides the bankers. the chamber
~ commerce. the real estate exchange
.opether with a great many Of the best
business men. have been urging the
governor to take steps TO drive these
y,rtous ag1tators out OF tho state. An.
ether mighty power has been rounded
nm in behalf of the operators by the
..,herfng together of fourteen of the
GATORS of the most important newspa.
ners in Denver. Pueblo. Trinidad. Wal.
senburg. Colorado Springs and other o1
ths larger classes in the state.
"Stfll the governor hobnobs witr
Waves. Lawson. McLennan and the res
~ The gang and either refuses or begi
for more time to bring the strike to ar
end or 10 amply protect the operator
in bringing in outsiders 10 take thu
rI.ces Of those who have left the stat,
and those engaged In these murderou,
assaults, whom We refuse TO take bach
under any circumstances. Yet We are
making a little headway.
There probably has never bean sucl
measure brought 10 bear upon an!
Governor of this state by the stronges
men in IL as has been brought to bea
upon Gov Ammons We have publishe,
statements of the earnings of the min
ers. which the agitators disputed an,
The governor expressed great doubt a
10 its accuracy
Another Bowers Letter Read.
Commissioner Walsh also called MI
Rockefelier's attention to another let
ter written to him by Bowers Decem
ber %. 1913. in which the latter said:
"if the governor had acted Septembe
20 as he has been forced to act durinl