The Washington times., 1915-04-24
"L|E," SAYS AMMONS
OF WALSH INTERVIEW
Former Governor of Colorado
Denies Taking Orders From
Rockefeller.
Continued from First Page.)

came to the commission from 26
Broadway will reopen the whole case,
according to Walsh.
one Of the documents implied that
Rockefeller had dictated governors
letter to President Wilson.
While Rockefeller told the commission
at New York and also the Congressional
investigating committee that ne had
kept his hands off the strike situation
ard had no knowledge Of conditions.
Walsh said the letters show that the
directing mind throughout the struggle,
In which women and men were killed,
was at 26 Broadway.
Information Withheld.
The letters and kilograms also in
dicate, Walsh said, that Rockefeller
withheld from the Labor Department
at Washington information requested
by Secretary Wilson who was at
tempting to avert the strike; that
Rockefeller knew from his own
agents that the Colorado Fuel and
Iron Company controlled prices and
fixed working conditions at the mines:
that Rockefeller was always In close
touch with the developments OF the
fight, receiving full reports by wire
and mail; that proposals for settle
for consideration and that he notified
the mine executives that he had re-
fused Secretary Wilson's offer for
mediation and promised to support
the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company
officials to the end.
The commission has made a part Of
1t srecord." Walsh said. "a mass OF
correspondence not only showing that
.he Rockefellers were personally In con-
slant touch with every phase OF the
Colorado coal strike situation. but that
they knew the strike was coming and
were prepared for 1t. We have letters
Of Mr.. Rockefeller. tr.. Of j. F. Vel,
born. president Of the Colorado Fuel
and Iron Company; Of L: M: NJ Bowers Bowers
of Starr Murphy. personal representa-.
tive of John D. Rockefeller. sr.. and Of
Ivy Lee, his publicity agent. which
make it plain that every step taken by
the Rockefeller agents In Colorado In
the great strike, in which men, women
and childre> lost their lives, was taken
with the full knowledge and assent OF
26 Broadway New York"
Tried To Avert Strike.
More than that. these letters show
that even before the strike began in
September, 1918. the Department OF
Labor at Washington sent Ethelbert
Stewart, of the Bureau of Labor. to
New York to see Mr.. Rockefeller to
try to avert the strike. Mr.. Murphy
acting under instructions from Mr.
Rockefeller, told the Government
agent that they could not interfere
ton in Colorado; that the entire mat
ter was in the hands of the mine
executives at the scene.
The same day of the interview Mr.
Murphy wrote full account of 1t tc
Mr.. Bowers at Denver, and Mr.. Bowers
wrote back highly praising Mr.. Murphy
| for his discretion in not giving the Gov
ernment agent any information.
1T Is amazing to read the condolences
| exchanged between Rockefeller head
quarters in New York and the mine ex
ecutives on the very eye Of the strike
| ment of Labor was striving for the
| Rockefellers' cooperation to avert the
| clash and behind the back Of the de
partment's representative.
Thus, in the letter referred to, Mr.
Bowers writes:
Your favor was read by both Mr.
welborn and myself with creates
satisfacti You handled the mat
ceptional skill. and 1t leaves US un
handicapped in the event there is I
strike
pages explaining the entire situation
matters of which Mr.. Rockefelle
testified he had no knowledge Of"
Would Never Recede.
September 30, 1913. a week after tn
strike began, he (Mr. Bowers), sent
long report to Mr.. Rockefeller in whicl
he assured his chief that he and hi
fellow officials would never recede a.
inch from the stand they had taken.
When Mr.. Rockefeller refused the re