Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-01-25
Just As Proper For Labor to
Combine As For Capitalize
Do Same Thing
STOCKHOLDERS BLAMED
FOR COLORADO STRIKE
Welfare Of Employees Should
Be Constantly in Mind
By Company


felIer 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.
~ believe it to be just os proper
and advantageous for labor to associate
itself into organized groups for the ad.
vaneement Of its legitimate interests
as for capital to combine for the same
object" said Rockefeller. "Such as
soeiations Of labor manifest themselves
in promoting collective bargaining, in
an effort to secure better working and
living conditions, in providing ma
ehinery whereby grievances may easily
and without prejudice to the individ.
ual, be taken up with the management.
Whatever their specific purpose, so
long as it is to promote the well being
Of the employees, 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
ehooseI favor them most heartily.
Combinations Of capital are sometimes
conducted in an unworthy manner, con.
trary to law and in disregard Of the
interest both Of labor and the public,
Such combinations cannot be too
strongly condemned or too vigorously
dealt with. Although combinations of
this kind are the exception, such pub
licity is generally given to their un.
social acts that all combinations Of
capital, however right they are man.
aged or broadly beneficient, are there
by brought under suspicion. Likewise
it sometimes happens that combinations
Of labor are conducted without just
regard for the rights Of the employer
or the public, and methods and prac.
tices adopted which because unworthy
or unlawful, are deserving Of public
censure,"
Referring to the Colorado strike,
Rockefeller asserted that the hiring
and discharging of men and the fran
ing Of agreements az respects the same
are functions which he regarded az
rightfully belonging to the manage.
ment, and not to the stockholders or
directors.
"f had no knowledge Of the man
ayers decision until after the strike
had been declared, he said.
Rockefeller INSERTED his company,
the Colorado Fuel and Iron, controlled
only a small percentage Of the mines
involved in the strike, and could not
have dictated their policies His com.
pany's earnings, including bonds held
by the Rockefeller never exceeded
three and one half per cent per 0nnum,
he said
''Doubtless, mistakes have been
made and conditions are still imper'
feet" Rockefeller declared. 81 have
no desire TO defend any conditions that
are Justly subject TO criticism; ! only
ask that the responsibility for them be
apportioned fairly"
His efforts are being devoted he
testified, to develop increasing good
will and to improve existing conditions
as far as possible 4" Frankly he
said, "I confess felt there was some
thing wrong In n condition Of affairs
! which rendered possible the loss OF
human lives, engendored hatred aud
! bitterness and brought suffering and
J privation upon hundreds Of human be
! ings.O 10 relieve this condition, h,
said, he had recommended the study Of
labor problems by the Rockefeller
Foundation.
Cooperation between the Colorado
minors and the company management
already has reached highly satis
factory state, he said.
Rockefeller said he believed the ulti
mate object Of all activities In q re
public should be the development OF
the manhood Of its citizens and thai
industrial enterprises can and should be
carried ON along these principles.
"The welfare Of employees should be
constantly In mlnd,p he said, "ant
profits at times should be subordinate
TO this. II fair wages and reasonable
, living conditions cannot otherwise be
provided, dividends must be deferre,
or the industry abandoned. Neithe
labor nor capital can prosper unless The
lust rights Of both aro conserved
q further believe that, In matters Of In
dnstrinl relations the public N en-
titled to confidence aud consideration
My appreciation Of the conditions sur
rounding wage earners and my sym
I pathios with every endeavor TO bette
Q these conditions are as strong az thom
(. Of any man. II, with the responsible
= ties I have and the opportunities Rivel
me, am able TO contribute towarl
J. promoting The well-being Of my fellow
man, through the lcssening OF injustice