South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-29
STANDARD OIL
MEETS STRIKERS
FOR FIRST TIME
First Conference Ever Accord
ed Organized Labor is Grant
ed by Rockefeller, Jr.-BOth
Agree on Silence.

NEW YORK, Jan. %. - John D.
Rockefeller. jr, and three strikers
from Colorado met Thursday in the
first conference Standard Oil has ever
accorded organized labor.
The epoch-making conference was
held at No. sc Broadway in the office
where John ID. Rockefeller, ST., long
moulded the destinies of the oil in
dustry OF the world.
Participating were L. J. Hayes, vice
president of the United Mine Work
ers; Edward l.. Lynch, secretary
treasurer of district No. Is of the
mine workers. which bore the brunt of
the Ludlow struggle; James Lord.
head of the mining department of the
American Federation of Labor; Nc
kenzie King. former minister of la
Dor of Canada. and now directing a
worldwide investigation Of labor con-
ditions for the Rockefeller FOunda-
ton. and young Mr.. Rockefeller him.
self.
Agree on Silence.
Sitting beneath the portrait Of his
father, the heir Of Standard Oil for
sentatives of labor the problems that
led to civil war in Colorado. Less
than six months ago these same men
filed with implacablc hate for the
young millionaire were denOuncing
him as an oppressOr of their kind and
of innocents which marked the prog
reSs Of the strike.
Today i'm a spirit of utmost friend
illness the same men calmly laid be-
fore Rockefeller labor's views as to
the remedies for industrial strife.
out of the conference came this
significant result. The labor leaders
and Rockefeller agreed upon policy
of silence. And another meeting be-
tween them will be held
I'VE had just a pleasant little talk
about the general situation" said MIR.
Rockefeller as he and Mckenzie King
left the Standard Oil offices for the
day
Everything Was Agreeable.
YES. it was very pleasant all tho
way through. And that is all there
is TO be said. gentlemen.
You can understand how much de-
ponds on what is being done now and
how much more harm than good
might come from making more out of
our conference than it really was.
hope you viii not make more out of
it than that it was pleasant meeting
and / am sure YOU won't, for l know
you all want to help"
What suggestions did you make
Mr.. Rockefeller along the lines Of
bringing about a better understanding
between the miners and the employ
ers and a remedy for prevailing con-
ditiOns2' Mr. Hayes was asked.
81 would rather not discuss that" /
was the reply. I'VE talked over mat
ters and compared points of view.
There was a free exchange of opinion
on both sides"
did Mr.. Rockefeller make any sug-
gestions that would make conditions
more satisfactory to the workers."
Mr.. Lord was asked.
II can't say anything about that
was his reply.
THAT is a leading question" said
Hayes when asked if further confer
ences would be held Il cannot an
swer you"
Look for More Meetings.
1t is known. however. that the
meeting was preliminary to series of
which Mr.. Rockefeller
will hold with the leaders of labor in
the various industries in which he is
Interested In "A measure Mckenzie
King is to act as intermediary between
Rockefeller and the workngmen and
there is to be a full investigation of all
the grievances presented. with the
understanding that Mr.. Rockefeller
commit himself in advance to moth
ing.
1t was learned last night that the
Junior Rockefeller has been in close
communication with his father for the
past five days and that the master OF
Standard coil is in full accord with the
steps which have been taken by his
son.
Expects TO Visit West soon.
one of the subjects discussed at to-
DAYS conference was the projected
visit of Rockefeller. jr.. to the Colo
RADIO mine fields 1t is planned that
this visit shall be made within
month or two and Rockefeller viii
meet the workingmen on the ground
and discuss with them their griev-
anccS.
As he informed Mother" Jones at
his conference with her on Wednes-
day Mr. Rockefeller told his callers
today that he agreed in principle with
most of the demands which have been
presented in behalf of the men, hut
that he would have To consider all the