The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-31

John r. Lawson, the executive commit
teeman OF the United Mine Workers Of
America, who read from the stand on FRI
day a comprehensive and incisive analysis
OF John u. Rockefeller Jr.'s testimony.
completed his testimony before the United
states Commission on Industrial Relations
yesterday by giving answer very similar
to those for which he criticised the
financier.
Mr.. iawsons statement was severe In
it's arralgnment OF Mr.. Rockefeller be-
cause Of failure 20 have knowledge OF the
MANNER In which the agents OF the Colo
RADIO Fuel and Iron Company were violat-
ing the law. II also expressed very posi-
lively his opinions as to what directors
duty was. Yet when questioned yester-
day he admitted that, although member
.of the executive committee of the United
Mine Workers, he did not know that rep
resentativos OF his organization had de-
Tended the violation OF a contract by
miners In Pennsylvania and Illinois His
questloners did not press the point that
there Va no difference between the dlrec-
tors of a corporation on one hand and tho
executive officials OF a union on the Other.
In another instance after he had been
led to avow his opposition to violence and
his belief that II was the duty of every
citizen to uphold the law. when asked 10
explain his call to the miners OF Colorado
TO arm themselves and to be ready for
action ne sought refuge In refusal to an
swer on the ground that he is now under
Indictment and must not prejudice his
case.
Past Conditions Referred To.
II also appeared from Lawson's testi-
mony yesterday that some of the condi-
tons inveighed against In his prepared
address of Friday do not exist any longer.
He criticised the Colorado Fuel and lrou
Company for forcing the use Of script and
FOR its opposition to check weighmen. lie
admitted yesterday that no script has
been used for two years and that for
three years the company has had check
weighmer who represented the men. In
extenuation of his criticism Of conditions
/ that have. not existed for two or thre
years he said that previous to that time
I the company had evaded the State law In
| these respects
with respect 10 his meeting with Mr.
( Rockefeller on Friday. Lawson said that
/ he met him las one American citizen
meets another" and not as the representa-
Mr. Rockefeller he didn't think much OF
I the plan to settle future differences by
having committee of men from each
mine meet with the Operators. and that
II the directors would meet with the
{ officials of the United Mine Workers oi
| America a plan for future peace could be
/ evolved.
Commissioner Weinstock got from Law
! son a declaration that he believed every
man owed IL TO society 10 obey the law
! and that when the law was had IL wa:
/ the duty OF citizens to have that law re
pealed or amended. Mr.. Weinstock ther
! read from a call to arms issued by Law
son and others two days after the mas
sacre at Ludlow In April. 1914 II urged
the miners to get arms from whatever
source avsiia Die, 10 form companies. 4
hold themselves In readiness for actor
and 10 keep the executive committee o.
the miners state organization Informed o.
their preparedness.
Takes Refuge In Indictment.
When asked II that we're not violation
Of the law and even rebellion, Lawson
said IL was not, and argued that II out
laws were attacking his home he had
right to summon his neghbors TO his aid
He said that the deputy sherlffs wer
armed in September. 1919, and that hi
call was no, issued until the following
April.
And were any of the strikers arme
before the deputies were sworn in?'' aske'
Mrs. Hartman.
81 don't know OF any" replied Lawson
"but because. many OF those concerne
have been indicted am one OF them