New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-30
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pany organized and led that attack on
the liberties of free men, and yet you
heard from Mr. Rockefeller's lips that
he never inquired into the causes OF the
strike. the conduct Of his executives, or
the fate of those lost"
Mr.. Lawson then described the strike
of 1918. when, he said, the very strike
breakers who had replaced the men eX-
lied in 1904 were forced, by reaching
the limit Of human endurance, 70 pro-
test. With money supplied by the
United Mine Workers 81 ,O5S men, wom-
en- and children camped out all winter
rather than return TO life that mad
become unbearable to them. They were
fighting for what was assured them by
the mining laws of Colorado: semi
monthly pay day, with payment by cash
and not check, the right TO form unions
and an eight-hour day. To these de
mands the strikers added the plea that
the high rents and evil housing condi-
tons be altered and that company
stores, saloon environment and armed
guards be abolished.
"Yet upon this stand" Mr.. Lawson
said yesterday, John d. Rockefeller
jr., said that he had not received re
ports on labor conditions. He could not
tell within several thousands how many
men worked for him in Colorado. lie
had never considered what the proper
length of working day should be. lie
did not know what constituted living
wage. Most amazing of all, he had
never read the list of grievances that
the strikers filed with the Governor of
Colorado and gave TO the world
through the press.
Two months have gone by since we
called off the strike as a result of
/ President Wilson's proposal, and yet
/ Mr.. Rockefeller has not had the oppor-
tunity for a personal investigation. HIS
/ excuse for his lack of knowledge and
his failures is that he is too busy
His business was, he explained, spend
+ ing a large part of his time in direct
/ ing, with others, the various founda-
/ tons which his father has established,
and in giving time 10 questions of in
veStment."
Compares Rockefeller and Ford.
/ Mr.. Lawson then went on TO compare
the attitude Of Mr. Rockefeller toward
his employees with that of Henry Ford.
and pointed out the rich returns rem
dered by Mr.. Ford's business IN con-
trast with the slender realizations on
the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company.
81 sat in this ROOM" he stated. "and
heard Mr.. Rockefeller read the list Of
activities that his foundation felt were
calculated TO promote the wellbeing Of
mankind an international health COM
mission TO eradicate here and abroad
the hookworm, 100000 for the Blu
reau of Municipal Research. a retreat
I for migratory birds in Louisiana, $780,,
600 for the American Academy at Rome.
the promotion OF medical education
and health in China, S34 900 900 for the
University Of Chicago, 100000 for
the relief OF the Belgians, $4,000 n
wear for widows pensions in New York,
.he investigation Of vice conditions in
Turonc and ISL, 900. 900 for a general
/ 1drcation board. With all this, never
a Thought or a dollar for the thousands
Of men and women and children who
starved in Colorado. There are thou
sands of MIR. Rockefeller's employees In
Colorado to-day who wish 10 God that
they were in Belgium. or were birds
to be cared for tenderly by the Rookie
teller foundation.
Great satisfaction is felt, Mr.. lawson
.aid. over the fact that Mr.. Rockefeller
has ehown a willingness 20 CONFER with
tho representatives OF the WORKERS win
whom his company 5 managers refused
70 deal The conferences. he stated,
were welcome. but he looked forward
70 the time when these consultations
Nc Mere social visits he added, tend
,o Give the false impression that an
Industrial war has no more vital cause
than the failure Of Mr.. Rockete'ier 10
.hsLe hands with his workers.
Az the conclusion OF MI lawson
address to the commission tne hs sisi
cIapping was stopped with some diin'
Guilty.
Colorado's Disaster Record.
Members Of the commission ,her
ouestioned him in regard 70 the system