The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-21
WALSH'S TACTICS
RILES UP BOARD
Commission Members Protest
Against Aggressive Tactics.
Take Umbrage at Chairman's
Assault on Rockefeller.
JOHN D. IS CALM UNDER FIRE
Kansas City Man Goes After
Him With Hook and longs.
Charges Bias of Juror in Case
of John r.. Lawson.
JOHN D. IS CALM UNDER FIRE

= Washington, May 20.-John r.
Walsh, chairman of the federal indus
trial relations commission, has brought
down on his head the diSapprobation
of his fellow commissioners by his ag-
gressive attitude toward witnesses.
Walsh went after John D. Rockefel-
Ter yesterday with hook and tongs.
Later dissatisfied members of the
commission drafted a letter to the
chairman suggesting that he adopt a
more moderate attitude toward wit
neSSeS in the future.
Mr.. j. Borden Hartman is said to
have been the leader in this matter,
which was the climax of general diff
ferences of opinion over the conduct
of the hearings None of the members
would talk for publication.
Magnate Cool Under Fire.
Mr.. Rockefeller was subjected to
searching examination by Chairman
Walsh, who questioned him about the
personal attitude of himself and his
father toward the striking miners.
After MIR. Rockefeller had read q
statement relating to correspondence
published since his appearance before
the commission in New York Chair
man Walsh brought up the subject of
John r. Lawson, a member OF the eN-
ecutive board OF the United Mine
Workers of America, recently con-
victed of murder and sentenced to life
irhpriSonment. He declared w. w.
n,
identified as a travelling salesman for
a. biscuit company who had exclusive
sales privileges in the mining compa-
nys plants. Mr.. Rockefeller's attention
also was called to allegations that en-
ployees of the Colorado company who
testified against Lawson were detec-
tives hired by the company, and the
chairman asked what the, witness
would do for the sake of justice if the
allegations proved to be true.
Mr.. Rockefeller said he was deter
mined that administration of justice
should be left to the state, and that
if Injustice could be shown. the attor-
ney general of Colorado would wish
to try the Lawson case again.
Walsh Presses Inquiry.
Suppose" continued Chairman
walsh, sit should be brought indubita-
bly, to you that w. w. Wilson, a
travelling salesman for a biscuit COM
pany, one of the jurors in the Lawson
case, had been given exclusive privi-
lege of selling his products to all of
your companies, would you suggest to
the authorities that you did not think
II am not familiar with the condi-
tons" Mr.. Rockefeller replied.
SHOULD it develop that what you say
is true, / would do whatever is neces-
sary to see that what is right was
DONE
do you think it right or fair to try
a man before a juror who was stu
ated with your company as I have
continued.
II think that the jurors should all
have been selected wit hthe greatest
care" Mr.. Rockefeller answered, land
if any jurors selected were not proper
1y fitted for the place they should have
been excused. If it can be shown now
that they were not proper men the
attorney general would want to try the
case again, I am sure. The admins
tration of justice should rest solely in
the hands of the state. This principle
1 regard as so vital that 1 would not
stop at anything which might be
necessary in order to maintain 1t abSo-
lutely."
Information from Minister.
Chairman Walsh told Rockefeller
the information regarding Juror Will
son had come to him from the Rev.
Eugene Gaddis, formerly in charge of
the sociological department of the
Colorado Fuel & Iron Co., who testi-
fled Wednesday. Gaddis, he said, met
Wilson on a train some time ago in
Colorado and the latter told him he
was g. salesman for a biscuit company
and had exclusive sales rights to the
Colorado company's plants.
I'VE sent a telegram" said Mr..
Walsh, Ito Colorado with regard to
the matter and today received this
"sw W. Wilson is a travelling sales
man for the National Biscuit COM
pany. Your information is correct
IF this turns out to be true" the
witness, "have you such zeal for the
full administration of justice that you
will make some demand upon your
company and the officials of Colorado
in regard to giving Mr.. Lawson a new
trial before jury, none of whom are
beholden to your company"
Il am reserving the right to decide
that when I am informed as to the
situation" said Rockefeller.
But am giving you a specific in
stance" Mr.. Walsh insisted. What
will you do yourself if an injustice has
been done?"
IF an injustice has been done,
will do what I can to maintain jus
tice and see that Justice is done.'' Mr..
Rockefeller calmly replied.
In his statement to the commission,
Mr.. Rockefeller emphatically denied
that officials of the Colorado Fuel and
Iron company had anything whatever
to do with the prosecution of the
striker. Lawson, and called attention
to a statement issued by Mr.. Welborn,
president of the company, denying al
legations to that effect and stating
that some of the company's employees
might be called as witnesses.
Hints Employees Were Detectives.
Were these employees asked Mr..
Walsh, men who came through the
pretended to he strikers. and did they
afterwards, for pay that your COM
pany gave them, testify to that portion
of the evidence which convicted Law
son of the crime of MURDER"
II would have to refer you to Mr..
Welborn," said Mr.. Rockefeller.
Suppose it were true" continued
the chairman, with your repugnance
toward the taking part by your cor
poration in these prosecutions, would
you go to Denver and take some ac-
ton against officials of your COM
pany?"
81 presume it is a matter which the
attorney general decided when he
called his witnesses" Mr.. Rockefeller
answered.