Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-24
.ROCKEFELLERS IN TOUCH
WITH STRIKE SITUATION
knew That Colorado Dispute Was
Coming, and Were Pre-
pared for Ii.
WALSH MAKES STATEMENT
Chairman of Industrial Relations
Commission Says Information Con-
tained in Correspondence Means
That Hearings Will BE Reopened.

KANSAS CITY. MO, April 23-Infor-
nation contained in letters and tcle-
grams passing between John ID. Rookie
feller. Jr., and officers e; the Colorado
Fuel and Iron Company, made public
here Tonight by Frank +. Walsh chair
man of the Industrial Relations Com
mission. caused Mr.. Walsh to announce
that the hearing concerning the coal
miners strike in Colorado would be re-
opened and MIR. Rockefeller recalled to
the witness stand
Beside Mr.. Rock cfeller, there will he
called to testify j, +. Wclborn, presi-
dent Of tho Colorado Fuel and Iron
| Company: l.. NJ. Bowers. chairman of
the company's executive committee and
Ivy Lee, Mr. Rockefeller's publicity
agent. The hearing will open in Wash
ington on May {, Mr. Walsh said.
The correspondence was obtained by
Mr. Walsh from Mr.. Rockefellcrs New
York Office in compliance with a de-
mand OF the commission 1t was not
Forthcoming. Mr.. Walsh announced. in
time for it's contentious to be used ut
the recent hearing in New York, and
he considered the information in il OF
a character to warrant rcopenin- of
the hearing
Inc commission to-day has made as
part Of its record" Mr.. Walsh said
tonight. "A mass of correspondence.
no; only showing the Rockefcllers
were In constant touch with cycrv
phase OF the Colorado coal strike situa
tion' but they knew the strike was
coming, and were prepared for it.
ROCKEFELLER TESTIFIED
HI; KEPT HANDS OFF
MIR. kcfeller testified at tho
nearing of the commission In New York
ana also before the Congressional In
vestiEating Committee that he had
Kept his hands off the strike situation
and had no knowledge of conditions in
the coal fields
The letters and kilograms make il
plain that every step taken by the
Rockefeller agents in Colorado was
taken with the knowledge and consent
or Mr.. Rockefeler's office in New
York
| I'm other letters Mr. Bowers Induces
IN some political speculations that are
OF Importance In letter to Mr.
| Rockefeller, he writes:
The strike has brought IN III.
front an issue which will secure tn.
! attention and, believe. the co-opero-
ton of business men Of the country
regardless of political affiliations. to
force candidates for office. TO como out
| IN the open and declare their attituda
i toward the rights Of employers and
employees 10 run an opcn shop w,
"H know that the politicians have
peeh giving orEaniZcd labor sons for
the purpose of securing their votes.
o'i''N" 'here rs no man in either the
Nepup''c"h or democratic party who
would dare come out in opposition IN
! the open shop
Another amazing revelation in this
! correspondence is that contained. in
! 'e'ters exchanged by Mr. Rockefeller
ana Mr' Lee. his publicity agent, at the
'iihe Governor Ammons was acting in
the strike adjustment. The letters
deal first with the desire and plans NJ
the Rockcfellers 10 get their side or
1.-the question before President Nuson
tnde" date of June TO- 1904 Mr.. Rookie
teller wrote this To Lee: Several noints
| IN my memorandum, however. could
even more appropriately he used in
the letter from Governor Ammons 10
PRESIDENT Wilson. which yon are pro-
posing to prepare as soon as tho
! major memorandum reached YOU.
which hope will be very shortly.
DO NOT KNOW WHAT
LETTER CONTAINED
we do not know what this proposed
! letter OF this memorandum contained
nut we expect to find out" Mr.. Walsh
| said
The correspondence shows that there
were other letters. too. which Mr leo
was To prepare for Governor \mmons
one TO be directed to the Governors
! oi other states Concerning thar Mr.
Rockefeller wrote Mr.. Lee as follows.
would be interested To see the
! letter from Governor Ammons To the
Governors. and also the Tarrytown ar
ticle, which YOU are preparing
ON July Mr.. Lee wrote Mr.. Rookie
teller as follows:
Concerning tho Ammons letter:
With reference to the letter for
Governor Ammons. am not entirely
satisfied with the draft prepared and
l am making certain amendments to
ii. sent draft out for discussion.
! but will set il into shape In day
| or two and then send you 4 COPY
The correspondence further dis