Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-22
ROCKEFELLER And
WALSH IN CLASH
Goal Magnste Takes Vigorous Ex-
ception to Questions Asked by
Commission Chairman.
DENIES PRESSURE ON COURTS


industrial relation commission, the
commissioners met in executive sea-
sion to consider the round robin"
sent last night calling for more mod
crate treatment OF witnesses. Some
Of the commissioners did not conceal
that they thought the chairman
questioning OF Mr.. Rockefeller yes
terday should have been modified.
After the executive session. the
other commissioners did not make
public their letter to Chairman
Walsh. which it was understood they
would do, should their suggestion GO
nnheeded. Chairman Walsh said he
did not know what had happened in
the executive session.
The examination OF Nh. Rocl,efeller.'
he said. has and win be conducted with
due consideration and the truth win he
arrived at"
MT Rockefeller began today BY read
ma prepared statement which 70.
lated 10 Chairman Walsh questioning on
ms view OF the regularity OF the con-
Fiction Of John X. Lawson. n mine work
ers OFFICER. Mr.. Rockefeller spoke OF
sinister reflections and said Chairman
Welsh's questions had been framed to
make Il appear that Mr.. Rockefeller con-
oeded there had been wilfui tampering
with the courts Ills statement follows:
Rockefeller Reads statement.
John ID. Rockefeller. jr.. resuming the
witness stand today. read tho following
statement:
Since giving my testimony yesterday
have read with care the stenoErapher's
transcript OF the questions asked by the
chairman Of the commission IN reference
to the Lawson trial. and my view OF Ger.
tain hypothetical cases and the course |
would take should the facts subsequently,
prove to be as presented.
As these questions all relate to n
criminal appeal at present pending be-
fore the court OF this country, feel that
my position cannot be too precisely
stated. both as respects the questions
already asked and questions OF n similar
nature which may be addressed and 1
therefore desire to givo 20 this commIs-
sion by opinion on these matters In the
form Of a written statement which will
be unequovical and admit OF no mlsun-
Outstanding OF misinterpretation.
As already expressed my opinion Is
thar justice should be administered as
to be above suspicloh and n In any ma
terial particular the trial OF Mr. Lawson
has been wanting In tins respect, for
one should desire TO sec the supreme court
OF Colorado. 20 which the appeal has
been taken. carefully consider avery
grouBd that may be urged and grant a
new trial should any material ground be
sustained. hfa
No Attempt To Influence Courts.
Il 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 80
framed as 20 seek 20 put me in the POSI-
ton OF appearing 70 concede that there
have been w1lful tampering with the
courts or OF stating what am prepared
10 do TO Influence the future course OF
justice. either as respects Mr. Lawson
OF any ether person. cannot regard
them az other than Improper questions
and direct reflection upon those who
the charged with the administration OF
Justice. To sinister reflections OF this
kind must decline 10 be a party even
BY inference.
Were either directly or indirectly 10
attempt 20 influence the Judiciary OF
Colorado aserespects the present appeal
IN Mr.. l.awRon's trial. / should be guilty
o. the very procedure against which
witnesses before this commission have
90 strongly protested and which myself
have not less strongly condemned. and
hope that the chairman OF the commission
win not expect from me replies TO any
questions which imply that believe
cthers have boon guilty OF unlawful or
improper acts IN the administration OF
justice OF that I entertain position SUI
perfor 70 that of any other citizen OF tho
republio either before the law or to-
wards It's administration"
When Mr.. Rockefeller concluded. Chair
man walsh. said
IF there are any questions ask that
you think should not be answered. you
should state the fact and the commits
sion win consider what should be done,
I suppose your high roEard for law ex-
tends 20 all officers charged with adj
ministrAtion OF the law.
Yes" said Mr.. Rockefeller.
you haven't contempt for officers
OF the law who do not your biddlngg"
Il don't undertake to direct the Of
ficsrs Of the law"
DO you undertake to eoeree officers
q the IawY'
We don't undertake 20 get Officers OF
the law IN any position. That ls entirely
proper"
Bowers Writes of Governor.
Chairman Walsh then read letter
written TO Mr. Rockefeller by L. M.
Bowers. former superintendent az the
executive department or the Colorado
Fusl and Iron companv on November IS
1914 which included the following.
You win be interested TO know that We
ton Of all the bankers OF the city, who
have had three or four interviews with
our little cowboy governor, agreeing to
back the state and lend a ali the funds
necessary TO maintain the militia and az
ford ample protection so that our miners
could return TO work OF give protection
70 men who are anxious TO conle uD here
from Texas, New Mexico end Kansas. to-
sether with some from states farther
east
Besides the bankers the Chamber OF
Commerce. tho Real Estate exchange.
together with a great many OF the best
business men. have been urging the gov-
ernor 10 take steps 10 drive these vicious
aaitators out OF the state. Another
mighty power has been rounded I'D ID
behalf u the operators BY gathering to
49, ~ fotrfaan ~ the atlfnru ~ a..