Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-26

will and to improve conditions as far
as may be possible. To that end my
thoughts and activities have for some
time been devoted.
AS to the strike itself, its many
distressing features have given me
the deepest concern. / frankly con-
fess that 1 felt there was something
fundamentally wrong in a condition
Of affairs which rendered possible the
loss Of human lives, engendered hat
red and bitterness, and brought suf-
fering and privation upon hundreds
Of human beings. Without seeking to
apportion blame. / determined that
in SO far rs lay within my power I
would seek means Of avoiding the pos
sibihty Of similar conflicts arising
elsewhere, or in the same industry in
the future 1t was in this way that
came to recommend to my colleagues
in the Rockefeller Foundation the in
shutting of series of studies into
the Fundamental problems arising
out Of industrial relations. which re-
suited in securing the services Of Mr..
Mackenzie King. former Minister Of
Labor Of Canada, to direct the stud
les"
To the officers Of the Colorado Fuel
and Iron Company, the witness
stated. he had forwarded with his en-
dorsement the outline of a plan by Mr.
King to establish a board on which
both employers and employees would
be represented. and before which
questions affecting conditions Of en-
ployment could be discussed and
grievances examined. The president Of
the company replied that when the
strike was ended the company would
take steps to give the employees more
direct representation in this re-
spect. In accordance with this
plan, Mr.. Rockefeller continued
Joint conference between
the executive officers of the company
and representatives selected by the
men was held in Denver on January
10, and Its spirit had convinced the
management that it would. lead to
more active cooperation between the
company and its employees in the fu-
| ture."
In conclusion, Mr.. Chairman" said
Mr.. Rockefeller. quite apart from
any particular situation, may / ex-
press in utter frankness the views
which as an individual and a citizen
] hold towards the problems into
which your Commission has been ap-
| pointed to inquire? believe that the
ultimate object Of all activities in a
| republic should be the development
| of the manhood Of its citizens: that
such manhood can be developed to
the fullest degree only under condi-
tons of freedom for the individual.
and that industrial enterprises can
and should be conducted in accordance
with these principles. / believe that
corporation should be deemed to
consist of its stockholders, directors.
| officers and employees; that the real
| interests of all are one, and that neith-
er labor nor capital can permanently
prosper unless the Just rights Of both
are conserved. My appreciation OF
/ the conditions surrounding wagd
earners and my sympathy with every
endeavor to better these conditions
are as strong as those of any man.
| If, with the responsibilities ! have
and the opportunities given me, ] am
able to contribute towards promoting
the wellbeing of my fellow men,
through the lessening of injustice and
the alienation of human suffering,
shall feel that it has been possible to
realize the highest purpose of my
life