New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26


aged or broadly bcnefcent. are thereby
brought under suspicion. Likewise, u
sometimes happens that combinations
Of labor are conducted without just re-
card for the rights OF the employer or
the public. and methods and practices
adopted which, because unworthy or
unlawful, are deserving OF public cen
sure.
"Such organizations OF labor bring
discredit and suspicion upon other or.
CARNATIONS which arc legitimate and
useful. just as is the case with i'm
proper combinations OF capital, and
they should be similarly dealt with.
UphoIds Union Principle.
II should be the last. however. TO
allow the occasional failure in the
working of the principle of the organi-
7atiOn Of labor TO prejudice me against
the principle itself, for in that prin-
ciple strongly believe. In the further
development Of the organization OF
labor and OF large business, the pub
lie interest. as we'll as the interest Of
labor and capital alike. will, il seems
TO me. he best advanced by whatever
stimulates every man TO do the best
work of which he is capable; by
fuller recognition of the common in
terest of employers and employed. and
by an earnest effort TO dispel distrust
and hatred and to promote good viii.
AS respects the question OF the
recognition or non-recognitiOn OF labor
runions In Colorado. my attitude has
been in conformity with the views
have expressed relative 20 the respon-
sibilities Of stockholders. directors and
Ia 80 "a D. a+r.trt 10
of men and the framing Of agreements
as respects the same are functions
which have regarded as rightfully be
longing TO the management and rot 70
the stockholders or directors. The
Colorado Fuel & Iron Company has
been managed on this principle. The
decision of the officers with respect TO
the recognition OF the union was
reached without any consultation or
communication with me. and ] had no
knowledge of their decision until after
the strike had been declared.
1.-THE correspondence between myself
an the officers OF the Colorado Fuel <
Iron Company during the strike has
been produced before this commission
and is now public. If one thing more
than another is shown by the letters
exchanged, it is that, as respects con-
I
Of the cJmpanys employees, ] have
sought TO inform myself and have not
hesitated 20 make suggestions looking
toward more adequate representation
on the part of the employees and par
ticip8tion by them in the determining
Of matters pertaining to their working
conditions.
Denies Dictatorship.
"lt is not less apparent, however,
that | have studiously avoided any
thing that might afford ground, either
TO the employees. the management or
the public, for the belief that in any
particular ! WAS seeking TO dictate
policy or TO arbitrarily control any sit
uatiOn.
THE only coal property in Colorado
in which we are IN any way interested
is the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company.
In addition TO this company, there are
many other coal mining companies in
that state, in none of which either we or
the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company have
any interest whatsoever, and a large
number of these companies were in
volved in the strike.
For me TO have attempted 10 die
tate policy or control the situation
would have meant an assumption OF
authority far beyond what the invest
ment which ! represent in the Colorado
| Fuel < Iron Company would have JUS
/ tilted, and, if tolerated by the manage
ment of that company, would have been
resented by the other companies in
yolved in the dispute"
/ As Mr.. Rockefeller continued his eyes
roamed from the statement now and
/ then TO the faces Of the commissioners,
as if he were trying to learn how they
were taking its Most Of the commits
/ sioners kept their attention on the
copies of the statement which Mr..
/ Rockefeller had given them. The spec
tators watched the witness closely, but
/ he never turned toward them.
! DOUBTLESS mistakes have been made
and the conditions are still imperfect"
/ the statement went on. 81 have no de-
| sire 10 defend any conditions that are
/ Justly subject 10 criticism, ! only ask
/ that the responsibility for them be ap-
/ portioned fairly. As to the strike it,
/ self. its many distressing features have
given me the deepest concern. l frank
| ~ confess that ] have felt there was
something fundamentally wrong in a
condition Of affairs which rendered
possible the loss of human lives, en-
gendered hatred and bitterness, and
/ brought suHerlng and prlNStlOn upon
! hundreds OF human beings.
Cause of Trouble Studied.
"Witkout seeking 20 apportlon blame,
| ] determined that IN so far as lay with
/ in my power | would seek means OF
avoiding the possibility OF similar con-
/ hicts arising elsewhere or in the same
1 industry in the future. II was IN this
way that | came to recommend TO my
colleagues in the Rockefeller Founda-
tion the instituting OF a series Of
studies into the fundamental problems
arising out OF industrial relations
/ In the closing paragraphs Mr.. Rocke-
4 Teller declared that the public. quite as
much as the parties engaged IN indus
try. is entitled 20 confidence and
/ consideration; that he appreciates the
conditions OF the wage Garner and
. sympathizes with him; that the devel-
opment Of manhood IN men Is the ultl-
mate desire and that:
"lf. with the responsibilities | have
and the opportunities given me, ] am
able TO contribute toward promoting
the well being of my fellow men,
/ through the lessenlng OF injustice and
the alienation of human suffering, !
shall feel that il has been possible 10
realize the highest purpose of my life"
When Mr.. Rockefeller finished read
/ ing his attitude gave the impression
/ that he thought he was almost through