Evening star., 1915-01-25
DENIES BLAME FOR
STRIKE IN COLORADO
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(continued from First Page.)
takes have been made and conditions
| are still imperfect. have no desire 70
defend any conditions that are Justly
subject to criticism; only ask that the
responsibility for them be apportione91
fairly. The problem now is Tor az
| cor Ecerned to develop increasing good
will and to improve conditions as far
as may be possible. To that eno my
| thoughts and activities have for some
time been devoted.
Deplores Loss Of Lives.
| "As to the strike itself, it's many dis
tressing features have given me the
deepest concern. I frankly confess that
I felt there was something funda-
mentally wrong in a condition OF al
fairs which rendered possible the loss
| of human lives. engendered hatred and
bitterness and brought suffering and
privation upon hundreds Of human be-
| ings. Without seeking to apportion
blame. l determined that in SO Tar as
lay within my power I would seek
means of avoiding. the possibility Of
in the same industry in the future. 1t
was in this way that I came to recon-
mend to my colleagues in the Rookie
feller Foundation the instituting of
problems arising out Of Industrial re-
lations. which resulted in securing the
services Of Mr.. Mackenzie King. former
minister of labor Of Canada, to direct
the studies
To the officers Of the Colorado Fuel
and Iron Company. the witness stated.
he had forwarded with his Endorsement
the outline of plan by Mr. King to
establish a board on which both en-
ployers and employees would be repre-
sented. and before which questions
affecting conditions Of employment
could be discussed and grievances ex-
amined. The president Of the company
replied that when the strike was ended
the employees moro direct represents
tion in this respect. In accordance
with this plan, Mr.. Rockefeller con-
tinued.. joint conference between the
representatives selected by the men
was held in Denver, January 10, and
Its spirit had convinced the manage
ment that it would lead to more active
cooperation CO between the company and
its employees in the future.
I'm conclusion. Mr.. Chairman" said
Mr.. Rockefeller, quite apart from any
particular situation, may I express in
utter frankness the views which as an
individual and citizen I hold toward
the problems into which your commits
sion has been appointed to inquire? I
believe that the ultimate object Of all
actS tiles in a republic should be tho
development of the manhood of its citi-
zens; that such manhood can be devel-
oped to the fullest degree only under
condition of freedom for the individual
and that industrial enterprises can and
should be conducted in accordance with
poration should be deemed to consist of
its stockholders. directors, officers and
employees; that the real interests Of all
are one. and that neither labor nor cap
nvNtI tIyyr ~
just rights of both are conserved If
with the responsibilities have and the
opportunities given me, I am able to
contribute toward promoting the we'll
lessening Of injustice and the allevia-
ton OF human suffering, I shall feel
that 1t has been possible to realize the
highest purpose Of my life."
Questioned by Commission.
After reading his statement, Mr.
Rockefeller answered many questions
regarding his various interests. He did
not know just what the Colorado in
dustrial company was. but he thought
1t was connected with the Colorado
Fuel and Iron Company. He could not
say whether the Colorado Supply Com
Colorado Industrial Company. He
thought both of these companies were
formed to further the plans Of the
Colorado Fuel and Iron Company.
In describing his duties as direc-
feller said he generally tried to attend
the meetings and talk with the other
directors and the presidents. Speaking
OF the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company
Mr.. Rockefeller said It required much
attention and prolonged study '.to put
it on it's feet" The meeting place Of
te directors was transferred from
New York to Denver during that Pc
riod.
Commissioner Walsh asked II during
1914 Starr J. Murphy. Jerome D. Green
and the witness, all on the personal
staf Of John D. Rockefeller, were d.
rectors Of the Colorado Fuel and Iron
Company.
The witness answered yes.
Wanted Public to Know Facts.
Prior to that the witness said he and
others realised that the public was not
getting the facts concerning certain
large corporations. The witness came
to believe It was q mistake to main
tain secrecy regarding corporations,
and determined to get facts before the
public. He communicated last spring
with Ivy Lee, who was then Connected
wit the Pennsylvania railroad.
,,n11 The p policy % OF publicity was determined
and his personal stan. The witness ner.
sonally engaged Lee for his work in
Colorado. Mr.. Lee went to Colorado after
he had suggested himself that he issue
a series Of bulletins containing the truth
about the situation In Colorado
Mr.. Walsh asked Mr.. Rockefeller fo
produce at a later date all the correspond
ence between the New York and Colorado
offices Of the Colorado Fuel and OH Com.
pany during the last two years In which
there was any mention Of labor condi-
tions.
Police Guard Rockefeller.
While Mr.. Rockefeller testified. a DO
lice lieutenant in uniform stood behind
his chair and watched the crowd. Scat
tered around the room were a number
of police detectives who arrived at the
city all few minutes before the wit
ness
Mr.. Rockefeller said his interests did
not intend at the outset to develop the
coal and iron mines in Colorado. The
Rockefeller interests. he said, bought
small stock ownership. The COM
pany was not q financial success, so 1t