The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-05-22
Again Defends His Course
in the Colorado
Strike
CHAIRMAN WALSH
STILL HECKLES
Dissension Within Industri-
al Commission Is
Denied

j Washington, D. c., May 22.--John D
Rockefeller, jr., resuming the witness
stand yesterday before the industrial re-
lations commission read the following
statement.
Since giving my testimony Thurs
day / have read with care the stenog
raphers transcript of the questions ask
ed by the chairman of this commission in
reference to the laws of trial and my
view of certain hypothetical cases and
the course l would take, should the facts
subsequently prove to be as presented.
las these questions all relate to a
criminal appeal at present pending be-
| fore courts of this country, feel that
my position cannot be too precisely stat
ed, both as respects the questions al
ready asked and questions of similar
nature which may be addressed, and
therefore desire to give to this commits
sion my opinion on these matters in
the form of a written statement which
will be unequivoca and admit of no mis-
understanding or misinterpretation.
AS already expressed my opinion is
that justice should be so administered
as to be above suspicion and If in any mat
erial particular the trial OF Mr. Lawson
had been wanting in this respect, i for
one should desire TO see the supreme
court of Colorado to which the appeal
has been taken, carefully consider every
ground that may be urged and grant
new trial should any material ground
be sustained
II have no more right than has any
other citizen in this country to attempt
TO interfere with or influence the courts
of justice and questions which are so
framed as to seek to put me in the po
sition of appearing to concede that there
has been wilful hampering with the
courts or of stating what am prepared
to do to influence the future course of
justice either as respects Mr.. Lawson or
any other person | cannot regard as 9th |
er than improper questions and a direct |
reflection upon those who are charged |
with the administration of justice. To
sinister reflection of this kind | must de-
cline to be party even by inference.
''Were / directly or indirectly to at
tempt to influence the Judiciary of Col
orado as respects the present appeals in
Mr.. Lawson's trial, | should be guilty |
of the very procedure against which wit
nesses before this commission have 80
strongly protested and which | myself
have not less strongly condemned and !
hope the chairman of the commission will
not expect from me replies to any ques.
tons which imply that / believe others
a 10 hoo, c,,iItx, az ,,rIa u-f,I or fronranay.
acts in the administration of justice or
that ] entertain a position superior to
hat Of any other citizen of the republic,
either before the law or towards its ad-
The members of the commission were
iplit yesterday over the conduct of the
hearings, particularly as TO the aggres-
live questioning of Mr.. Rockefeller by
he chairman. This eliminated in a con- ]
erenee Thursday night of dissatisfied
who in communication which
hey sent TO Mr.. Walsh urged that he
Idopt a more moderate attitude toward
witnesses hereafter. Mrs. J. Borden Har-
imam is said TO have been the leader in
his movement
Mr.. Walsh said the examination Of Mr.. y
had been and would be con !
ucted with due consideration and the !
ruth would be arrived at"
lie did not modify his attitude despite
frs. Harriman's protest. Mr.. Rockefel-
er also objected 20 some questions.
When Mr.. Rockefeller concluded his
tatement yesterday, Chairman Walsh :
aid:
III there arc any questions I ask that
ou think should not BE- answered. YOU
ray state the fact. and the commission r
IN consider what should be done. ! 1
oppose your high regard for law extends u
D al officers charged with sdministra- I
ion OF the law q
"Nes i does" said Mr.. Rockefeller. >
you haven't a contempt for officers