Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-05-20
Minister of Gospel, Formerly
Employed by Colorado F, &
|, Company Says Violence
of Union Men Was Proper,
CONDITION OF MINERS
WAS UNSATISFACTORY
Revolt Against Administration
of Colorado Laws Was Easl-
est Way to Get Redress,
Says Rev, Mr., GaddiS.
Isr poealso IovepAl .reel.l ls.sso mlesl

Washington, May 19.--While John
ID. Rockefeller. Jr., waited here again
today to testify before the industrial
relations commission In a supplement
tary inquiry into the recent strike
against the Colorado Fuel and Iron
company, the commission listened TO
an arraignment of sthat concerns
methods by Rev Eugene s. Gaddis, "a
Methodist clergyman, formerly in
charge of the companys sociological
department.
Chairman Walsh, who summoned
Mr.. Rockefeller to testify concerning
correspondence made public since the
original inquiry in New York, said to-
night that he surely would be called
tomorrow. Mr.. Rockefeller did not
appear at the hearing today but re-
mained within call. He will take the
stand as soon as Rev. Daniel S. Nc
Corkle. pastor Of a Presbyterian
church in one of the Colorado COM
panys mining camps at Sunrise, Wy
oming, completes his testimony.
only One Remedy Lcft.
Rev Mr.. Gaddis said he WAS dis
charged frcm the sociological depart
ment of the Colorado company last
February. after making a personal APP
peal to Mr.. Rockefeller to be allowed
to continue important hetterment
work among the miners. lie justified
the revolt of the strikers against mill
itary and other constitutional author
ity In Colorado on the ground that
laws for the Improvement of the min
ers' condition had been ignored and
there was no other way left to seek a
remedy
Technically the terrible strike Of
the Colorado miners was lost, said
Mr. Gaddis, but in reality ii was one
of the greatest labor victories ever
achieved in the United States. because
today the coal operators have their
ear to the ground and they Will be
very careful, indeed, in the future y
Minor Officials blamed.
The minister charged that minor
officials of the Colorado Fuel and
Iron company were directly responsi-
BILE for the strike, asserting that they
ignored the law, dominated employees
In brutal manner, fostered saloons,
obstrueted efforts to improve working
and hygienic conditions end even con-
trolled elections in direct conflict with
state laws He asserted that today
the company dominates politics as
much as ut dares. but not to such an
extent as 1t did before the strike"
MIR. Gaddis compared the condition
of the miners in Colorado before the
strike to that of the colonists before
the American revolution. saying;
"There was conviction among the
miners that II was impossible TO get
justice from the government
JustiRies Violence.
He justified the violence of the
strike and the revolt against authority
because of repeated failure through
ether channels to get constitutional
rights.
.'What would become of the repub
lsc," asked Commissioner Weinstoek,
'if everybody revolted against censti-
tutional authority"
1T would break down, and ought to
break down, if citizens were denied
their rights as were the men in Colo
RADIO"
do you justify rieting?"
"T Justify any means necessary to
clarity an atmosphere so pregnant
with wrong that man is asphyxiated
when he holds his head up" replied
the clergyman.
Wouldn't Punish Murderels.
Would you punish the strikers who
resorted to violence in Colorado 2"
asked Mr.. Weinstock.
II would not. | have never seen
situation more despicable and dam
nable than that. The Colorado Fuel
& Iron Co. was an oligarchy. | don't
think that all things are right merely
because they are on the statute
books"
Rev. Mr.. McCorkle. called to the
stand late in the day, told the COM
mission that when he went to Sun
rise. Wyo., he was informed by tho
church authorities that the Colorado
Fuel & Iron Co. maintained the
church, but that this fact was to be
kept secret. He said he urged that
this be made public.