Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1915-01-29

ROCKEFELLER, JR., APPEARS AS
WITNESS BEFORE FEDERAL
COMM SSIoN.
BELIEVES IN LABOR UNIONS
Asserts Workers Have Right to Or
qanize-TeIIs U. S. Body That He ls
More Than Willing to Rectify Any
I Wrongs He May Have Committed.

New York, Jan. 27.-John D. Rookie
Teller, Jr., in testifying before the
federal commission on Industrial rela-
lions on Monday strongly defended his
attitude in the Colorado mine strike,
but at the same time he advanced the
opinion that it is just as proper for
labor to organize for its own protec-
ton as for capital to do so.
In addition to being an active direc-
tor of the Colorado Fuel & Iron COM
pany, Mr.. Rockefeller is also one Of
the chief directors of the Rockefeller
foundation, one of the philanthropic
aggregations of capital which are be-
ing investigated by the commission.
Mr.. Rockefeller was first asked as to
his occupation. He said:
THAT is a hard question to answer.
spend part Of my time directing the
Rockefeller foundation, and part Oh
)ecting the industries established by
my father. At other times / devote
myself to matters of investment"
Then the witness began reading a
statement, which had been prepared in
advance, part of which follows:
Anyone who has followed the con-
troversy which has arisen out Of the
Colorado situation will have observed
that no effort has been spared to make
1t appear that have attempted to ex-
ercise kind of absolutism over the
coal industry of Colorado and particu-
larly that / have tried to dictate a
policy of nonrecognition of unions. An
attitude toward industry and toward
labor such as is here implied is so abb
horrent to me personally and so con-
trary to the spirit of my whole pur-
pose and training that | cannot allow
these allegations to pass unnoticed
believe it to be just as proper and ad-
vantageous for labor to associate it.
self into organized groups for the adj
Vancement of it's legitimate interests,
as for capital to combine for the same
object. Combinations of capital are
sometimes conducted in an unworthy
manner, contrary to law and in disre-
gard to the interests both of labor and
the public. Such combinations cannot
be too strongly condemned nor too
vigorously dealt with.
"As respects the question of the
recognition or nonrecognition of labor
unions in Colorado my attitude has
been in conformity With the views l
have expressed relative to the respon-
slbility of stockholders, directors and
managers. The hiring and discharging
OF men and the framing of agreements
as respects the same are functions
which have regarded as rightfully be-
longing to the management and not to
be the stockholders or directors.
Doubtless mistakes have been made
and conditions are still imperfect.
have no desire to defend any condi-
lions that are justly subject to criti-
cism. l only ask that the responsible
1ty for them be apportioned fairly"
Pressed by Walsh, Rockefeller final
ly said:
THE commission has doubtless got
much information with reference to
the subjects that you have been de-
veloping. Personally as a director of
the Colorado Fuel & Iron company l
should be very happy to have any mat
ter of abuse or of wrongs you may
have found brought to my attention.
can assure you that l should be only
too happy to do anything in my power
to see that such wrongs are righted."