Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-09-24
JOHN DIS ATTITUDE
TOWARD UNIONS
He Says He Does Not Care Whether
His Employees Are Members
or Not.
MUST TREAT ALL MINERS ALIKE

e-eAANN@@NS
ROUSE. Colo, Sept. 2s.--John d.
Rockefeller. jr. today stated flatly
that the Colorado Fuel and Iron COM
pany does not care whether its miners
belong to a union or not. The state
ment was made in conference be-
tween Rockefeller, David Griffith,
grievance mediator Of the company.
and G. A. Mitchell, grievance repre-
sentative OF the Rouse miners.
Mitchell is a negro.
In the course OF the conference, which
was In the open air under sizzling sun.
somebody asked Mitchell whether MEM
bers Of the United AaIne Workers came
10 him with their grievances against the
company. II don't remember that any
union men have complained since I was
elected representative" said Mitchell.
II don't believe Mitchell knows whether
they are union men or not" broke In
Rockefeller. II am quite sure the ofti-
GERS OF the company don't. and. let me
tall you, the Colorado Fuel and Iron
company doesn't care whether its men
belong to the union or not
Look here" he flashed. turning 70
0riffiths, do you make any distinction
between union and nonunion men In set.
Ting the grievances appeal TO you BY
the mlnersf"
Il certainly don't" replied Griftiths,
"Are not all the men treated alike as
long rs they are willing to work aod
behave tbsmseives7" persisted Rockefei-
lars l-t ~
Yes" Grifflths answered
The Hockefciler party made the thirty.
mile drive from Trinidad, arriving shortly
before 10 o'clock. Bnroute tire trouble
on the Rockefeller machine caused a
slight delay near Apguitar, the scene OF
Considerable fighting and disorder during
tha ,ptTike. After the conference tho
party proceeded 70 Lester and expected
TO reach waiSenburG for tongihts stop.
Meets both ATedtators.
MT Rockefeller today had his first
meeting with Griffiths. who was selected
a. the company mediator when the plan
OF dealing with labor grievances through
representatives Of the men was inausu-
rated several months ago. Immediately
Rockefelier announced that he wanted
to confer with Griffiths In the presanes
Of the labor representative. So the Dit
boss was ordered to find Mitchell, who
waa working a mile inside the mine.
Mitchell was produced and the conference
began.
Rockefeiier, coatiess ana with his hat
pushed back from his porspsring brow.
shot rapid fire questions at ortfelths and
Mitchell in turn.
How do you happen 10 be the griev.
snce representative Of the menf' he
asked Mitchsll
They elected M, sun" replied tho
ns9ro grfnning with pride.
How eid they elect your'
AT uaass nseting."
'HdaSs meeting OF whomr~
"of AL the Taen at the camp, suh."
Amy company officers there3" Rookie
feIieF bored in.s
'oh. no. sub"
How DO the men feel. free TO come 70
you with any complaint they have
against the company"
Yes. dey does" Mitchell replied.
DO you sometimes find that the fore
man or the pit boss has been In the
WRONG. and treated a man unJustiy7" per.
sisted Rockefeller
"oh yes. sub. and when dey has. 70
to Mistah Grfffiths and he fixes II up"
Questions for Grifftths.
Rockefeller whirled on Griffiths. do
these grievance Representatives ever have
10 take anything over your head 10 the
president OF the company" he demanded.
They never have yet" placidly replied
oTiffiths. Usually the grievance is ad-
Justed with the superintendent without
even reaching me-"
How do these complaints reach your
well ! go from camp TO camp myself
and talk to these grievance representa-
i tives," said Griffiths.
Don't you wait for them TO send for
your
mot on your life. don't. hunt them
up and ask them II anything is the mat
ter between them ana the s1perintend-
ents. That's what you hired me for. isn't
ltT'
BY this time a crowd OF miners were
standing around gazing with noticeable
excitement at the man. who is rsputsd
to control the big corporation for which
they work.
WELL let's look at something else
remarked Rockefeller, and with 0riffithl
on one side and Mitchell on the other, he
strolled across the camp, carrying his
coat over his arm.
Having concluded his inspection. Rookie
ferler and party drove 70 Lister camp for
lunch.
4 Department Orders.
l WASHINGTON Sept 2a--(special Tel.
egram.l-Mrs. Mary Darnelle was ap-