Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-25
LABOR AND CAPITAL
EACH MAY ORGANIZE,
SAYS ROCKEFELLER
One Has Same Right as
Other, He Tells u. S.
Commission - Favors
Good Unions.

NEW YORK, Jan. 25.--John d. Rookie.
feller, Jr.. espoused the cause Of good
unions" today before the Federal Com
mission on Industrial Relations, but
limited his approval strictly to those
unions which permit the open shop.
Il believe Il to be just as proper and
advantageous for labor to associate Itself
into organized groups for the advance
ment of its legitimate interests as for
capital TO combine for the same object"
said Rockefeller "Such associations OF
labor manifest themselves in promoting
collective bargaining. in an effort to obtain
better working and living conditions. in
providing machinery whereby grievances
to the Individual may be taken up with
the management easily and without pre-
judice. Whatever their specific purpose,
SO long as II Ia to promote the well
being Of the empioyes, having due regard
for the Just interests of the employer and
the public, leaving every worker free to
associate himself with such groups or to
work Independently, as he may choose-t
favor them most heartily.
combinations of capital some times are
conducted in an unworthy manner, con-
trary to law and in disregard for the in
terest both of labor and the public" ne
said. "Such combinations cannot be con-
demned too strongly or dealt with too
vigorously. Although combinations of this
kind are the exception. such publicity gen.
orally Is given to their unsocial acts that
all combinations of capital. however right
ly managed, or broadly beneflcent, are
thereby brought under suspicion. Like
wise IL sometimes happens that combina
tions of labor are conducted without Just
regard for the rights of the employer or
the public, and methods and practices
adopted which, because unworthy or un-
lawful, are deserving OF public censure."
afa n IN hn CnIornHp ctr
feller asserted that the hiring and dis
charging Of men and the framing of
agreements as respects the same are
functions which he regarded as rightfully
belonging to the management, and not
TO the stockholders or directors.
II had no knowledge of the managers
decision until after the strike had been
declared" he said.
HELD LITTLE COLORADO STOCK.
Rockefeller asserted his company the
Colorado Fuel and Iron, controlled only
\ small percentage of the mines involved
in the strike, and could not have die
ted their policies
His company's earnings, including
bonds held by the Rockefellers, never
exceeded 31h per cent. per annum he
said.
"Doubtless mistakes have been made
and conditions are still imperfect" Rock
efeller declared. 1T have no desire to de-
fend any conditions that are justly sub
Ject to criticism; 1 only ask that the
responsibility for them be apportioned
fairly"
His efforts are being devoted, he testi-
fed, to develop increasing good will and
to improve existing conditions as far as
possible. Frankly" he said, "I confess
I felt there was something wrong in a
condition of affairs which rendered pos
sible the loss of human lives, engendered
hatred and bitterness and brought suf-
fering and privation upon hundreds of
human beings"
To relieve this condition, he said, he
had recommended the study of labor
problems by the Rockefeller Foundation.
Cooperation between the Colorado min
ers and the company management already
has reached a highly satisfactory state,
he said.
Mr.. Rockefeller testified that Ivy L. Lee
received salary of $1,000 a month when
he Joined the personal staff" of John d.
Rockefeller, Jr. His chief duty was to
attend to the publicity work for the Colo
RADIO Fuel and Iron Company.
FAIRNESS TO WORKERS.
"rhe welfare of employees constantly
should be in mind" ne said. land profits
At dIfsS bHOulu De SuOOFulHdLe TO InlS.
If fair wages and reasonable living con-
ditions cannot otherwise be provided, div
idends must be deferred or the industry
abandoned. Neither labor nor capital can
prosper unless the just rights OF both
are conserved.
IT believe further" he said, that, in
matters of Industrial relations the public
Is entitled to confidence and consideration.
My appreciation of conditions surround
ing wage-earners and my sympathies
with every endeavor to better these con-
ditions are as strong as those OF any
man. If, with the responsibilities I have
and the opportunities given me, am able
TO contribute toward promoting the we'll
being of my fellowman, through the less
ening OF injustice and the alienation of
human suffering, / shall feel that It has
been possible to realize the highest pur-
pose OF my life"
In a statement submitted to the COM
mission Rockefeller gave a report OF the
funds. On December /, 1914, |
the total on hand was SlO3s5O, SIT, of which |
e. .s21 .5S7 was unexpended income,
Plain-elothes men and central office de-
leetiYeA were much in evidence when |
took the stand. They were
scattered through the corridors of the |
Municipal Building, where the hearing is |
being held. throughout the audience in the |
room and particularly in the first rows |
Df seats near the witness stand.