New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-03

Replying TO question, Mr.. Greene
explained the system of interlocking
directors in the various Rockefeller
charitable boards.
Several men are members Of more than
one. and there may even be an inter-
locking between them and the insti-
buttons aided, but IL is an unwritten
law that these men are not 90 take
trusteeships from institutions. Mr.
Greene said that on becoming secre-
tsry Of the foundation he had resigned
several Offices IN schools and one IN
Harvard University.
The witness then defended the poll
c,es If the trustees Of the Rockefeller
Foundation.
"They have been held accountable
for actions in an industry IN which
they hold a bond Investment. But !
will put the case to you suppose any
Of US were trustees Of money 10 DO
placed in stocks and bonds; If we tined
to execute this confidence, could We do
more than search the country Tor
man who seemed the best adviser on
industrial relations and identify him
with our organization ~ He referred
nected with the foundation.
"The fundamental fault Of Mr..
Rockefcller's business methods as well
as his philanthropies," he said. ZAP
pears to lie in its personal direction
and its promotion Of personal advan-
tagp to the exclusion Of public vel
fare"
Blames Foundation for Unrest.
Mr.. Costigan, a small, kcen-eyed man,
wished, apparently, to place the min
ers' side before the commission in
strong and yet fair way. He replied
to questions with a prccIseness Of de-
tail and frequently referred 10 sew
cral volumes or a mass Of papers
which he had carried to the stand with
him. Several times he was uncertain
Of his facts and asked if the Commits
siouer would put the same question TO
John r. Lawson, Of the United Mine
Workers Of America, who was in the
room This was done, and each time
the labor leader was able 10 supply the
thread Of the story.
"Mr Rockefeller's philanthropy is
inconsistent and will become q menace
to the civilization Il purports TO serve"
said Mr.. Cosugan an his contribu-
tons to the Belgian Relief Fund he
appears as a liberal benefactor, but In
Colorado he has ignored the standards
20 which the foundation IS dedicated.
The Rockefeller Foundation and
other philanthropies, he went on.
"may be counted by this commission
as the vital causes OF the present IN
dustrial unrest"
Mr. Costigan also attacked the sys-
ivs I
planning that a director OF industrial
companies should not be interested in
the foundation. He ought 20 be indie
pendent Of the economic conditions
with which he may be called upon TO
deal
When asked by Commissioner Bal
lard if his testimony were not infu-
enced by his position as counsel for
the miners, he replied that his opinion
should be scrutinized from the stand
point Of his views as a citizen and an
attorney.
Il do not come 60 pass on my own
deductions. They speak for them
selves. I held them long before | was
invited 20 represent the United Mine
Workers Of America"
He cudeayored TO make another dis
tinction between Mr.. Rockefeller the
business man and Mr.. Rockefeller the
philanthropist.
'In Il great human crisis" he told
the commission, "preCipitated within
his very household, industrially speak
ing, Mr.. Rockefeller's Foundation has
been needless and impotent. And the
conclusion forced upon an unpreju-
diced public has been that the bust
ness man has cold-hesrtedly and with
out hesitation brushed aside and i'm
posed silence on the philanthropist.
Rockefeller Wants the Reins.
"Mr. Rockefeller now plans 70 do his
own investigating as he conducted mis-
own settlement Of our industrial diff
cultes. He plans 70 drive all the time
with the reins in his own hands. Moth
ing could demonstrate more clearly
that the Rockefeller Foundation is pri-
marily an asset Of the Rockefeller in
dustrialism. and only secondarily a
public charity"
The miners counsel hoped that
. foudalism in industry would soon yield
= 20 democratic expression r permanent
rcace was TO be obtained. And he
added that social, industrial and gov
Crnmcntal justice we're more important
than charity.
When private philanthropy results
merely in further explorations. is II
not time 20 turn 20 public agencies for
the conservation Of property and the
nights Of men, women and children? p"
The witness declared the most gen
Crous estimate somewhat disillu-
stoned public could make was that the
/ Foundation was dealing with effects
while the Colorado Fuel and Iron Com
rany was visibly feeding the flames OF
. industrial unrest