South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-21
John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Says
He Would Feel Greater Moral
Responsibility il Company
Hadn't Tried to Save Lives
DENIES HIS RIGHT TO
INTERFERE WITH LAW
OIL Kings Son Read Hot State
ment Replying to InquiSitor,
JuStlfying His Failure to Act
IN Lawson Case.

WASHINGTON. May Ell have
no more right than any other citizen
IN this country TO interfere with or
influence the course of justice" today
declared John ID. Rockefeller. jr.. in
statement he read when he again
took the stand before the industrial
relations commission.
Mr.. Rockefeller resented the atti-
tude of Chairman Walsh, who yester-
day subjected him 10 a searching ex-
animation as 10 his attitude toward
'ne sulking miners i'm Colorado and
WIN particular regard 10 the case of
John X. Lawson, member of the
Chlted Mine Workers Of America. who
recently was convicted of murder and
sentenced 10 life imprisonment in that
strike.
Chairman Walsh charged that w
w Wilson, one of the Jurors who
FOUND Lawson guilty. had been a trav-
cling salesman in the service OF a bis.
cuit company which had sales priv
lleges I'm the Colorado Fuel < iron
co. $ plants
Urge Walsh to BE CaImcr.
Dluerences or opinion among mem-
hers OF the commission as to methods
81 conducting the hearings were
brought 10 "a climax when certain dis
satisfied members todav drafted let
ter 10 Chairman Walsh urging him to
adopt more moderate attitude to-
ward witnesses.
The aggressive methods of the
chairman, particularly in the exam
ination of Rockefeller. are said to have
prompted the action.
Mrs. j. Borden Hartman, It was
- ID % to- hIr TvrF4
ter
Later the commission went into ex-
ecuuye session and discussed the
chairman's tactics, at the conclusion OF
which Mr.. Walsh announced that Mr..
rockefeller Will be accorded every
consideration -
Reviews Ludlow Disaster.
The Ludlow disaster was reviewed
" hen Rockefeller was confronted with
statement in which he said
The persons who lost their lives
at Ludlow were OF shot but smoth-
cred"
Walsh said he had a photograph Of
a child shot and killed when he fed
with his little sister Rockefeller de-
clined TO look at the photograph
Walsh charged troop A, organized
10y the Rockefeller company, with
chief responsibility for the Ludlow
massacre. He was asked If he did
actions of this troop.
Il would feel greater moral re-
sponsibility If the executive officers
had not done everything in their DOW
er TO preserve life and property"
Rockefeller replied
Chairman Walsh insisted that as a
director OF the coal company. Rookie
felier ought 10 know what the exccu-
tive officers were doing 10 determine
whether they should be retained To
this Rockefeller replied that he had
entire confidence in his directors
But YOU only take their word"
Walsh insisted you close your eyes
10 the evidence of the coroner's in
quest at Ludlow and 10 the evidence
OF other outrages, while you sit In
YOUR New York office and say; L up
hold these executions.
Rebukes Chairman Walsh.
Rockefeller rebuked Chairman
Walsh for asking him questions which
he declared implied irregularities in
the Rockefelled methods OF filling Of
fees.
In connection with the appoint
ment of T.. NJ Bowers as chairman OF
tho board OF the Colorado Fuel * Iron
Co. Walsh asked II Rockefeller had
simply put Bowers In without con-
sulting others.
Il object 10 that method OF putting
a question" said Rockefeller.
You imply we have Objectionable
methods of filling Offices. You are
implying irregularities in our methods
OF appointment" he added Officers
were elected at regular stockholders
meetings, but when vacancies occurred
in an interval between such meetings
the board OF directors followed the
usual course Of filling vacancies
do YOU coerce officers by combin-
ing financial influence before you re-
spect them"
Rockefeller denied that he or his
company did this.
Asked IL the elder Rockefeller per-
sonally directed affairs in Colorado,
Rockefeller said:
My father is not I'm the habit OF
dealing personally with his assoei-
ates."
MURDERER DIES HARD.
MONTREAL May 21.-Antonio De-
lana was hanged today az the Ror-