South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-02
MORGAN ADMITS
LABOR PROBLEMS
DON I BOTHER HIM
Admits He is Not Interested in
Child Labor, Shorter Work
ing Hours or Increased Pay
for Labor.
IAcOArALEN

NEW YORK. Feb I'm a remal k
able recital before the federal in
dustrial commission Monday, j. Pier
pOnt Morgan smilingly disavOwed any
interest in the problems of child Ia
hor. shorter working hours. increased
pay and improved conditions of labor.
Il have no opinions ON the subject
he repeated 10 "a series of questions
put 20 him.
This commission viii appreciate
any suggestion You may make as a
man of large affairs that might assist
i'm establishing a more lasting in
dustrial peace, Mr.. Morgan was in
formed.
The purpose is admirable. but it
is beyond me-" ne replied, breaking
into laugh. Il have neither the
power nor the ability 10 suggest any
legislation that wouldn't do more harm
than good.
II hope it is not beyond this com
mission" ne added. with a meaning
look at Chairman Walsh
In the exposition of his philosophy
Mr.. Morgan went ON record against
organized labor asserted the right of
"a banking house To control trusts and
endorsed the great foundations of
wealth.
His General Attitude.
His general attitude toward the
problems presented 20 him is defined
in the following:
In your opinion is wealth dis
tributed proporuonately 20 the serv-
ices rendered To society,"
once more laushingly ne replied:
That's too big a question for me.
T have never considered it,
Mr. MOrgan took the witness stand
before the commission at 10 minutes
past 3 o'clock in the afternoon and his
examination was concluded at half
past four.
Giving his name as John Pierpont
Morgan ami his occupation as "a bank
er and his residence as New York, Mr..
Morcan said ne was director i'm the
steel corporation the international
Mercantile Marine, the Pullman CONF
pauv and the Northern Pacific rail
road From the outset he developed
an amused interest i'm the proceeding
and "a half smile PLAYED over his face
DURING most of the time that he testi-
fed Likewise ne was comhativc at
times. ass for instance when Chairman
Walsh asked IF ne owned OF repre-
serted any considerable amount of
stock i'm other corporations. ne asked
sharply:
Represented i'm what way do YOU
mean2"
''In any way" said Walsh.
Would BE Long List.
"Oh II would Zoe a Ions list ia
have Go 80 back go the books and
make it up. We have the stock pcU-
plc borrow ON and deposit with us and
that sort of thing"
Proceeding the Witness was exam
incd ass Co the reports that are re-
cCiVcd by directors 30 reports of la
Dor conditions. &c appeared. are ever
submitted Co the board ON which Mr..
Alor=an sits.
The boards receive and handle only
questions rclauns To- the financial
condition of the companies As 20
visiting the plants Mr.. Morgan said
he had visited. some of them. but none
since 1872.
To what extent Mr.. Morgan. %
asked Walsh coming down 10 details,
ARE stockholders responsible for la
Dor conditions i'm corporations p"
What do YOU mean-as To WAGES
paid and So FORTH
Yes. all the conditions
Il aon't see that stockholders have
any responsibility i'm that matter"
Have the directors"
Not AT All. ] should say"
We'll, who DO you consider respon-
sible?'
The executive officers OF course
Questioned "a Co Salaries.
What scope OF authority do YOU
give them as Co labor conditions-do
you plan out the salaries etc2"
Mr.. Morgan laughed outright
4 should say they had entire au-
thority' he replied. III they wanted
counsel they could go 10 the directors
who would help them 10 the extent
Of their ability. / have no doubt"
And you give them fun scope with
out any accounting
What do won mean o."
You just tell them Co go ahead "
"Oh. cried Morgan. light dawning,
they are responsible for results"
Alr. Morgan said the directors Sc
iect executive officials and then hav-
ng placed confidence in them. depend
Oh them 10 manage properly and get