The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-21
ATTITUDE OF
ROCKEFELLER
TOWARD THE STRIKING COL
ORADO MINERS SUBJECT
OF INVESTIGATION
BY Chairman Walsh Of Federal
Relations Commission-Trial of
John. R lawson Brought Up.

WASHINGTON. May 20.-John u.
Rockefeller. Jr.. testifying today be,
fore the industrial relations commits.
sion Tor second time in its inquiry
into the recent strike against the Colo.
rado Fuel and Iron company. was sub
1ected to searching examination By
Chairman Walsh. who questioned him
about the personal attitude of himself
and his father toward the striking
miners. He will continue his testi.
mony tomorrow.
After Mr.. Rockefeller had read a
statement relating to correspondence
published since his appearance before
the commission in New York. Chair
man Walsh brought up the case Of
John X Lawson. a member OF the
executive board OF the United Mine
workers OF America. recently convict
ed OF murder and sentenced to life
Imprisonment He declared that w.
w. Wilson. one OF the Jurors. had been
identined as a travelling salesman for
a biscuit company who had exclusive
sales privileges in the mining COM
pany's plants.
Mr.. Rockefeller's attention also was
called to allegations that employees of
the Colorado company who testified
against lawson were detectives hired
by the company. and the chairman
asked what the witness would do for
the sake OF justice If the allegations
proved TO be true.
MIR. Rockefeller. cool under rapid-
hre questioning by the chairman. said
he was determined that administra-
ton OF Justice should be left to the
state. and that IL injustice could be
SHOWN, the attorney general OF Colo
rado would wish to try the Lawson
case again.
supposed" asked Chairman Walsh.
IL should be brought indubitably to
you that W. W. Wilson, a travelling
salesman for a biscuit company, one
OF the jurors in the Lawson case. had
Deen given exclusive privilege of sell
ing his products TO all of your camps.
would you suggest to the authorities
that you did not think that fair with
mans whole life at stake?"
Did Not Know Conditions.
Il am not familiar with the condi-
tions." Mr.. Rockefeller replIed
Should it develop that what YOU say
Is true. would do whatever was nee.
essary to see that right was done"
DO you think it right or fair to
try a man before Juror who was
situated with your company. as I
have described this man?' the chair
man continued.
Il think that the jurors should all
have been selected with the greatest
care. Mr.. Rockefeller answered. and
II any jurors selected were not prop
erly titted for the place they should
have been excused. II IL can be shown
now that they we're not proper men.
the attorney general would want 10
try the case again. I am sure. The
administration of justice should rest
solely In the hands OF the state. This
principle ] regard as so vital that
would not stop AZ anything which
might be necessary in order to main
tain IL absolutely"
Chairman Walsh told Mr.. Rocka-
foller that the information regarding
Juror Wilson had come 10 him from
Rev. Eugene Gaddis. formerly In
charge Of the sociological department
OF the Colorado Fuel 4 Iron Company.
who testified yesterday
We sent telegram" said Mr..
(contanusd on Page ru.ivs1