The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-25
Rockefeller Investigator De
clines to Answer Questions.
Witness Says Witnesses Are
Being Treated Unfairly.
CHAIRMAN ALONE TO BLAME
John DIS Adviser EXOnerateS
Other Members of Board.
Kansas City Mans AspersiOns
Hurled Back From Stand.

| Washington, May 25.-w. L. Mac
kenzie King, director of the industrial
relations department of the Rockefel-
Ter foundation, clashed repeatedly
with Chairman Walsh during the lat
ter's questioning of him today before
the federal industrial relations COM
mission. Walsh sought to make rec
ord of what King bad done for Amer1-
can la Dor. Both the witness and COM
missioner Weinstock wanted to know
| the object of that line of questioning,
but the chairman refused to explain.
Il am not on the stand,' he said,
land 1 must decline to be questioned.
Walsh questioned King as to his
investigation in Colorado, but the wit
ness insisted that his Investigations
were confidential and he could not
make public any of his inquiry. He
insisted he had seen representatives
of both sides of the Colorado strug-
gle in his effort to be absolutely fair.
The chairman insisted that the ''peo-
pie must have the facts"
What do you mean by the people?"
asked the witness.
II mean the American people," said
the chairman, whose public opinion
would be the greatest factor in inn
proving conditions in Colorado"
The will and conscience of young
Mr.. John D. Rockefeller is more pow
erful in Colorado than any other force
that can be brought to bear at this
| time" said King.
You think that the will and con-
science of Mr.. John d. Rockefeller is
more powerful than the wills and con-
sciences of all the American people to
bring about a change in conditions in
Colorado"
Objects to Distorted Testimony.
That is not just what I said,'' and
another clash followed, in which he
entered another protest against his
testimony being distorted"
Now you have given your opinion
of me-, replied the chairman, land 1
don't intend to give my opinion of you
here, no matter how insulting your
comment may be. / shall treat you
exactly as 1 treated John d. Rookie
Teller, jr."
When the air cleared, King ex-
planned that he was speaking as a
practical man of practical situa-
ton
Il mean to say" he continued. that
it I wanted to improve conditions in
Colorado, the man l would go after
would be John d. Rockefeller. He
could do more in one year along that
line than efforts to focus public opin-
ion on the situation could do in sew
eral years"
Responsibility for the Colorado
strike, King said. he could definitely
fix, and he expected to report his find
ings where they would have the best
erect. HE suggested thdt ne should
like to give his recommendation pri-
vately to Chairman Walsh.
Scores Walsh to His Face.
Mr.. Mackenzie King interrupted his
testimony before the commission late
yesterday to denounce the methods or
Chairman Walsh in conducting the
commissions coal strike inquiry
II have seen witness after witness
on the stand here treated in a man
ner that was anything but fair" hs
said. In the name of labor I protest
against the way this hearing has been
conducted"
You 10 not like the way investiga-
lions are conducted in this country?"
asked Chairman Walsh.
II do not like the way this hearing
has been conducted" replied. the wit
ness.
you do not like this commissions
conduct of the hearing?"
Doesn't Like WaIsh's Way
II don't like the way you Mr.
Chairman, have conducted the exami-
nation of witnesses"
Then you exonerate the rest of the
%
"Oh, yes
rs your objection to the examina-
ton" asked the chairman "based
upon your observation of the examina-
ton of John d. Rockefeller, Jr, and IS
It caused in part by the statement you
heard witness make here that he was
guilty of high treason and should be
punished ?"
MEMORIAL Fl0WFRH.