Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-26
is
FRIEND OF UNIONS
John D., Jr., Denies Charges that
He Attempted to Dominate Coal
Industry of Colorado.
HE MAKES SUGGESTIONS ONLY

NEW york, Jan. 25.--In statement
today TO the United States committee ON
industrial relations on the Colorado labor
situation, John d. Rockefeller. jr., denied
he had. as he said had been charged,
attempted to exercise a kind of abso-
lutism over the coal industry Of Colo
RADIO" or that he had sought to dictate
q policy OF nonrecognition of unions" On
the contrary. he said he was most hear
THY in favor Of labor unions, so long as
their purpose was to promote the we'll
being of the employees and they had due
regard for the interests of the public.
"fhe commission has asked my views"
said Mr.. Rockefeller. ''as to what ex-
tent the stockholders and directors OF a
corporation are responsible for the labor
troubles exist in 1T and for the
social conditions are produced; how
generally and in what manner such re-
sponsfbilities are assumed by stockholders
and directors, and in actual practice how
and upon what general basis the labor
policies Of large corporations are de-
termined.
Has Moral Influence.
The responsibilities or stockholders is
practically limited - to the election of
directors. They have no power to elect
officers. to employ labor. to make con-
tracts or to intervene directly in the
management OF tho business. A large
stockhoider. however, is able to exercise
considerable moral influence over the d.
rectors and is responsible for exercising
that Influence properly.
| A business to be successful must not
only provid for the laborer renum-
erative employment under proper work
ing conditions. but II must also render
useful service TO the-cpmmunity and earn
a fair return on the money invested.
ANY one who has followed the con-
] troversy which has-arlsen out Of the
Colorado situation will have observed
that no effort has been spared TO make
it appear that / have attempted tc
exercise kind OF absolutism over the
coal industry in Colorado and particu.
larry that I have sought to dictate &
policy on non-recognition of unions. \
attitude toward industry and tcwart
! labor spch as Is here implied. Is SO alb.
hoFrent TO personally and so con.
Itrary to the spirit, Of my whole purpos,
and training, that / cannot Above these
allegations to pass unnotjced
FavOrs Limited UmiOntana.
What are the facts7
First, with reference 70 my attitude
toward labor unions; ~belfeys II to b
Just as proper and advantageous for iabol
10 assert itself into organized groups al
for capital to combine FOR the same OBJ
ject. Sometimes they Oabor unions) pro
vide benefit features; sometimes the.
seek to Increase wages, but what thefi
specific purpose. so long as It Is 4
promote the well being OF the employees
having always due regard for the jus
1ntesest of the employer and tbe publis
iearing every worker free TO associat
himself with such groups or to work In
, 6ependently. as he may choose. favo
them most heartily.
The correspondence between hiInself an
the officers Of the Colorado Fuel an
Iron company during the strike. whicl
has already been made public. showed
Mr.. Rockefeller said. that he had no
heNitated 10 make suggestions for NOR
adequate representation Of the emplOye 4
the determination of matters pertaining
to their working conditions; but that h
had studiousiy avoided anything whic
might afford ground fer the belief tina
, he was seeking 10 dictate policy Q
arbitrarily control amy situation"
Il believe that a corporation should b
deemed TO consist OF its stockholders
directors. offieers and employees that IN
real Interests Of All are one. and thu