South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-21
JOHN D. JUNIOR"
GIVES WALSH TILT
Insists Oh Reading Prepared
Statement Regarding Colo
RADIO Coal Strike Before In
duStriaI Commission.

WASHINGTON, May 21.-John d.
Rockefeller. jr., took the stand late
Thursday afternoon before the United
States commission on industrial rela-
tions. after waiting around the hotel
three days. Sparks began TO fly at
once.
Mr.. Rockefeller insisted on reading
prepared statement on his position
regarding the Colorado strike. de-
spite Chairman Walsh's efforts to
head him Off The performance was
not all 10 the liking OF Chairman
Walsh. Accordingly he kept Mr..
Rockefeller half an hour beyond the
regular hour for adjournment and
made a vigorous attempt TO put him
through the third degree.
Mr.. Rockefeller produced the state
ment as soon as he took the stand. i
should like TO read this" he said.
Not yet, Mr.. Rockefeller" said the
chairman. There are some Ques-
tiOns / want TO ask you, 10 establish
the identity Of some OF the gentlemen
mentioned in the spOndence you
have submitted TO the commission.
Who is Mr. l.. NJ. BOwers2"
Tells Who Bowers Is.
Mr.. Bowers was chairman Of the
IDdiu Oh the 1DlOIduO II uel ana iron
company and treasurer. until the ear
ly part Of this year, replied Mr..
Rockefeller.
He resigned to come on the per
sonal staff"
us he on IL now?"
Yes sir. Mr.. Chairman, just a word
If YOU will allow me- IN asking for
ask only the privilege accorded other
witnesses"
but I would ike to have light on
these other matters" said Chairman
Walsh abruptly.
Yes, but
"Oh, well, go ahead" said the chair
man. This is the time / wanted the
information L asked for, but if you
would rather read the statement now
YOU may go on"
Thank you sir" said Mr.. Rock
efeller.
While Mr. Rockefeller was reading
his statement, he was interrupted sew
eral times by Chairman Walsh. The
chairman was interested in the price
OF coal in Denver. According to a
statement prepared for Mr.. Rookie
Teller by Pres't WelbOrn of the Colo
RADIO Fuel and Iron company, the
strike cut down the coal supply. In
order 10 supply the Denver retail
trade. the company brought coal from
Wyoming. which. Mr.. WelbOrn said
cost $3.50 a ton more. When the
company's own stock in Denver was
exhausted about November To- the
Wyoming coal was furnished custom
ers at the increased price.
Why Coal Went Up.
As 7 understand it," said Chairman
Walsh. "you had coal Of your own ON
hand in Denver until the weather got
cold. November Is, and then the
price went up"
1T went up because II cost as more
TO get it," said Mr.. Rockefeller. Il
have another letter. not included in
this statement, on the price OF the
coal"
"If it does not interfere with the
logic Of your paper, Mr.. Rockefeller
ia like to hear it." said the chair
man. with more than hint OF sar-
casm I'm his tone.
Il think it would interfere MT
Chairman" said the witness gravely-
VERY we'll" replied Chairman
Walsh with an excess of pollteness'
take your own time.
Attack Il Begun.
As soon as Mr.. Rockefeller finished
reading his statement the chairman
sprang TO the attack. First he took
I'D AIR. Rockefeller's denial that he or
any of his associates had had part
i'm the prosecution Of John r. Law
son the miners official given a life
sentence for murder growing out OF
the strike.
you have just quoted a statement
given out the day the trial started 10y
Prest WeIbOrn." said Mr.. Walsh. In
il he said: 1t may be that some of
our employees would be called as wit
nesses. but as a company we have had
nothing to do with the punishment OF
the defendant Tell me. were these
witnesses the detectives employed 10y
your company. who pretended TO b'
strikers and went through the strike
and then went on the stand TO swear
away the life of this man Lawson p
II shall have TO refer you 20 Mr.
Welborn for an ansW err said Mr.
Rockefeller.
Tries to Side-Stcp.
.'If 10 should prove 20 he true that
these men who did this were actually
in your employ. would YOU 20 TO Den
vcr and take some aCtiOn-would YOU
prOtest-or do YOU consider such a
thing proper
ct presume that was the matter the
attorney general decided when hC
called the Witnesses responded Mr.
Rockefeller.
''No but IF this were shown To be
true. what would you do 80 demanded
the chairman.
81 certainly would not stand back of
anything that was not right" said the
witness. 81 have said that / believe
the administration of justice should
rest solely In the hands OF the state
and [ would go TO any lengths 90 up