Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-01-26
Fathers Investments In Colo
rado Have Lost Him Sey-
eraI Million Dollars, Is les
timony of Son.
.FAv0RS UNIONS PROVIDED
MEN WISH TO JOIN THEM
Never Has Exercised Censor
ship Over Employees and
Knows Nothing Regarding
Sale of Liquor on Property,
l.r nosn,.a JOURNAL .r.e,.. ,s.srO mlasI

tsr soas,sa JOURNAL SPECIAL lrssrp wiasI
New York, Jan. 25.-John d. Rock
efeller, Jr., active head of the in
tcrests acquired or built up By his
father. occupied the witness stand
for five hours today at the inquiry
being conducted here by the United
States commission on industrial rela-
tions into the great phianthropie
foundations and the cause of indus
trial unrest. He underwent a rigid
cross-examination at the hands Of
Frank +. Walsh. chairman of the
commission. as to the policies and
actions OF the Colorado Fuel 4 Iron
Co.
Mr.. Rockefeller freely admitted
that he had no knowledge concerning
labor questions, but declared he was
in favor of labor organizing and taxi
ing action. provided 1t kept within the
law, "leaving every worker free la
associate himself with such groups
or to work Independently as he may
choose
Losing Venture for John u.
Father has invested $24,000,000
i'm the Colorado Fuel q Iron Co." he
testified "The securities are now
worth st9,000,000. Father would
nave been much better off had he
put his money in a savings bank.
The witness furnished the COM
mission with an insight into the
methods by which he determined
where his money should be invested.
He said that II information concern
ing alleged bad conditions IN the
mining camps of the Colorado Fuel &
Iron Co was furnished him. he per
sonaiiy would do what he could to
remedy them.
While he testified, more than a
score of police and private detee-
tives mingled In the great crowd in
the room in the city hall in which
the hearing is being conducted. A
body guard OF detectives escorted
Mr.. Rockefeller to and from the city
hall, the corridors were cleared OF
all persons. while the heir to the
Rockefeller fortune was passing in
and out
Should Rest One Day In Seven.
Commissioner Walsh asked Mr..
Rockefeller, as a citizen, not as an
expert or a business man, if he be-
lieved that laborers should organize
and act, so long as they obeyed the
law
"As citizen. ! cannot answer that
question" said Mr. Rockefeller. II
have not studied it,"
He considered il a hardship. he
said, when a man had TO work seven
days week at a blast furnace. The
witness said he frequently worked
seven days Il week
II think every man is eutitled to
day Of rest he said
Mr Rockefeller said he did not
see the bulletins written by Mr.. Lee
before they We're sent out. Neither
did he know where the bulletins were
Mr. Rockefeller said he had observ- /
ed bulletin written by Mr.. Lee in !
which It was said that only Il few of !
the employees were dissatisfied with |
conditions. !
"on September 49, 1918, did you
have information that the men we're 7
about to go on strikey" Mr.. Walsh I
asked.
II recall no such information, he I
replied. "The information that ! had I
was quite to the contrary"
List of Injured Employees.
Mr. Walsh started to read list of
of the Colorado Fuel q
Iron Co who had been injured and
he settlements made with them. lie
had only read two names when Mr.,
Rockefeller interrupted him and
said he favored a compensation for
workmen and understood the state of
Colorado was about to enact law
providing for it, Mr. Walsh made no
comment, but continued to read the
ist
The highest settlement was $1,000
\ man got that sum for the loss of
IN eye. Another man got $500 for the
oss Of an eye
Mr.. Rockefeller said he had heard
here was corruption in Colorado
loiitics and that the Colorado Fuel
I Iron Co. was supposed to have fur
lished the money for the corruption;
nut he disclaimed knowledge of any
uch incident.
Would you vote TO discharge an
fficer who furnished money to buy
lquor and corrupt yoters?' asked
ar. Walsh.
II would not look upon such a
hing with favor replied the wit
less. He had not read a speech by
esse B. Northcott, attorney for the
colorado Fuel & Iron Co.. in which
e was alleged to have said that the
ompany controlled the government
{ Las Animas aud other Colorado
ounties.
Credit at Company Stores.
After being questioned at length
pom the operation Of stores in Col
rado mining camps, Mr.. Rockefel-
sr said he did not know whether the
supply company had made
profit of 30 per cent upon its cap !
alization Of si,000,000. Nor did he
now OF the check off system
thereby the employe had the
mount of his weekly bill extracted !.
rom his pay envelope He did not :
now. he said. replying to a question,
nat q workman could not get credit ,
>r 81 worth Of goods al the camp
lore until he had 81 coming 20 him
,r work done II
Mr. Rockefeller said he under7l ]
ood that each empIoye Of the Coll \