The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-26
ROCKEFELLER SAYS HE IS IN FAVOR OF ORGANIZED LABOR John D.'s Son Testifies Be fore Industrial Relations
 Commission ACCOMPANIED BY
 LARGE BODYGUARD Disclaims Knowledge of Corruption in Colorado Politics and Says He
 Will Do Best to Remedy
 Bad Conditions There

New York January 25.-John b Rocke- ieiler Jr., active head of the interests acquired or built mp by his father. oc- eupied the witness stand for five hours today ut the commission on industrial relations inquiry into great philanthropic foundations and the cause of industrial unrest He underwent rigid cross-ex- animation by Frank Walsh. chairman of the commission, as to the policies and actions of the Colorado Fuel and Iron company.
 Rockefeller admitted that he knew noth- ing Of labor questions. but declared he was in favor of labor organizing and talk ing action, provided it kept within the law.
 Father has invested s9Loooooo in the Colorado Fuel and Iron company" he testified "The securities are now worth S19,OcO,0oo. Father would have been much better off had he put his money in savings bank"
 The witness said that if information concerning alleged bad conditions in the mining camps Of the Colorado Fuel aud <.a sonaliS would do what he could to remedy them.
 Guarded by Detectives
 While Rockefeller testified more than Il score of police and private detectives mingled in the great crowd in the room. bodyguard of detectives escorted Rockefeller to and from the city hall. and the corridors were cleared of all persons while the heir to the Rockefeller fortune was passing in and out
 The witness said he and others realized that the public was not getting the facts concerning certain large corporations. The witness came to believe IL was a ms taSe to maintain secrecy regarding cot- porations and determined to get facts bt- tore the public He communicated iast sp.ing with Ivy Lee, who then was con nected with the Pennsylvania railroad. Mir. Lee worked in Colorado during his vacation, Rockefeller said. For his serN- ices John D. Rockefeller. Sr., paid Lee a salary of 5000 a month No charge was made against the Colorado Fuel and Iron company for the money, Rockefeller, Sr paid to Lee, the witness asserted nor against the Victor American lsucl company or the Rocky Mountain Fuel company.
 The policy of publicity was determined upon last June by the elder Roekefeief and his personal staff.
 When Lee joined the Rockefeller staff he automatically became member of certain boards, the witness continuei. Lee became director of the Colorado Fuel and Iron company He did not have any ' connection with the Rockefeller Foundation.
 Rockefeller said he did not see the pui- lctins written by Lee before they were sent out Neither did he know where the bulletins were prepared. He said he had observed bulletin written by Lee in which 1t was said that only a few of tho employees were dissatisfied with cond.- tions.
 Knew Nothing of Corruption
 Rockefeller said he had heard there was corruption in Colorado politics and that the Colorado Fuel and Iron compuny was supposed to have furnished money for the corruption, but he disclaimed knowl- edge of any such incident.
 Would you vote to discharge an of- ficer who furnished money to buy liquor and corrupt voters? asked Mir. Walsh.
 ''I would not look upon such a thing with favor" replied the witness. After being questioned on tho opera tioy of stores in Colorado mining camps Rockefeller said he did not know whether | falo