New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-30

OF RCclQeNL Insurance. cAlSbiHb hhhNhb
the Colorado miners.
"In no place in the world have there
been so many coal mining explosions
and disasters as in Colorado he re-
Piled. Colorado also leads the world
in the lack of compensation. In 1913
40 men we're killed and 35t were in
iured in coal mining. To them or to
their widows was paid S33.5l9.'
Charles W. Eliot sat bolt upright IN
the witness chair all through the
morning session Of the commission.
His hands folded in his lap and his
thumbs chafng each other incessantly,
he answered smoothly all OF the ques-
tons put TO him, asserting that the
Rockefeller Foundation was the most
admirable charity he had ever known
anything about, and insisting that
labor and capital could never come to
q peaceful settlement while either
side used tho now prevalent war
measures" OF boycott, lockout, black
list or closed shop.
Labor members OF the commission
assailed his conservative attitude in
vain. DR.. Eliot extricated himself from
the pitfalls they had set with tact and
skill. His two constantly active thumbs
were his only indication Of feeling.
When hard pressed their movement
seemed to quicken.
As far as labor problems were con-
cerned. he carefully refrained from ex-
pressing a positive opinion. lie was
doubtful regarding what would consu.,
tute a minimum wage. The length or
the working day, in his opinion, must
vary greatly with the type OF the IN
dustry concerned. lie did not feel COM
petent 10 express his views upon the
advisabilitv of a workmen's compensa-
ton act. Nor was he at all certain re-
gardjng the age when children should
be admitted TO industry. 81 believe,
he added here, "that no children should
be employed in a machine industry. in
doors, under sixteen years OF age.
Defends Foundation.
In regard to the Rockefeller Founda-
ton. DR.. Eliot was vague IN his an
swers 10 specifc questions. He admitted
that IL would be possible for educators
to be Influenced by the foundation; IN
hope of receiving its assistance, but
believed that the influence OF the foun-
dation had always been for good. q,
When asked whether he considered
labor unions undesirable socially, the
witness replied that he considered some
Of their policies eminently undesirable.
"The greatest injury he asserted
"is done TO both the public and the
union by the closed shop, the boycott,
union labor and limited output. All oil
these are war measures.
Questioned by Commissioner Garrett
SOL, DR.. Eliot admitted that employers
were equally TO blame for the use OF
the lockout and the blacklist. lie also
censured unions that reelected officers
who had committed blameworthy acts
in connection with their positions. =,
Commissioner Garretson then asked
DR.. Eliot il the Rockefeller Founda-
tion would not be obliged 10 investl-
gate the conditions of the Roosevelt.
y. j.. strike, since il owned bonds OF
the American Agricultural Chemical
Company. The witness thought not.
Nor was he at all certain that the
foundation would have a right TO IN
terfere even If il had owned stock IN
stead of bonds in the company.
"But how can you hold that there is
a difference as 20 the responsibility OF
shareholders and labor union mem
bers ." the Commissioner asked.
1.-The responsibilities are by no
means analogous" said DR.. Eliot
Failure of Arbitration.
The witness attributed the diminu-
tion OF industrial discomfort 70 the
change in the attitude of the employer
TO the employee. There was more DIS
| position 70 cooperative management
/ he said. and the effects of profit shar-
| ing were only beginning TO be felt.
As far as the settlement of labor
/ disputes was concerned, DR.. Eliot said
/ that he felt that the appointment OF
/ arbitration boards was worse than use
/ less.
The arbitration method does not
bring good results" he stated. be
cause II brings a peace which satisfies
! neither side. Cancellation. as far as