The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-21
JOHN D., JR., HITS
BACK UNDER FIRE
Magnate Objects to Sinister Re-
Elections of Walsh.
Recalls He Has Only Citizens
Standing in Court.
WANTS FAIRNESS FOR LAWSON
Hope Colorado Court Sees Thai
Justice Is Had.
Federal Board Threatens Re-
prisal Against X. C. Man.

|
Washington. May 21.-Just before
John d. Rockefeller resumed his
testimony today by the industrial
commission, all the commissioners ex-
| cept Chairman Walsh met in execu-
tive session to consider their round
robin of last night calling for more
moderate treatment of witnesses
Some of the commissioners did not
conceal that they thought the chair
mans questioning of Mr.. Rockefeller
yesterday should have been modified.
| After the executive session the 9TH
er commissioners did not make public
their letter to Chairman Walsh. which
it was understood they would do
should their suggestion go unheeded.
Chairman Walsh said he did not
know what had happened in the ex-
ecutive session.
Walsh Promises to Be Good.
1.-THE examination of Mr.. Rookie
Teller" said he, has, and WILL be
conducted with due consideration and
the truth will be arrived att
Mr.. Rockefeller began today by
reading prepared statement which
related to Chairman Walshs question
ing on his view of the regularity of
the conviction of John r. Lawson,
mine workers leader. Mr.. Rookie
Teller spoke of sinister reflections"
and said Chairman Walsh's questions
had been framed to make it appear
that Mr.. Rockefeller conceded there
had been wilful tampering with the
court.
His statement follows:
Since giving my testimony yester-
day, I have read with care the steno-
graphers' transcription of the ques-
lions asked by the chairman of this
commission in reference to the Law
son trial and my view of certain hypo-
thetical cases and the course I would
take. should the facts subsequently
prove to be as presented.
Makes Position Plain.
LAS these questions all relate to a
criminal appeal at present pending
before the courts of this country,
feel that my position cannot be too
precisely stated both as respects the
questions already asked and questions
of a similar nature which may be adj
dressed, and therefore desire to give
to this commission my opinion on
these matters in the form of a written
statement which will be unequivocal
and admit Of no sfnisun Outstanding or
misinterpretatior.
"As already expressed my opinion
is that justice should be SO admins
tered as to be above suspicion, and if
in any material particular the trial of
Mr.. Lawson has, been wanting in this
respect. I, for one, should desire to see
the supreme court of Colorado, to
which the appeal has been taken,
carefully consider every ground that
any material ground be sustained.
Il have no more right than any 9TH
er citizen in this. country to attempt to
interfere with or influence the courts
of justice and questions which are so
framed as to seek to put me in the
position of appearing to concede that
there have been wilful tampering with
the courts or of stating what 1 am
prepared to do to influence the future
course of Justice, either as respects
nj anu nf1 T
cannot regard as other than improper
questions and a direct reflection upon
those who are charged with the adj
ministration of justice. 70 sinister re-
Election of this kind l must decline to
be party even by Inference
Respect for Law Officers.
When Mr.. Rockefeller concluded,
Chairman Walsh said:
IF there are any questions 1 ask
that you think should not be an
Swered you should state the fact and
the commission will consider what
should be done. I suppose your high
regard for law extends all officers
charged with administration of the
law?''
Yes, it does.'' said Mr.. Rockefeller
You haven't a contempt for off,
GERS of the law who do not do your
bidding"
Il don't undertake to direct the Of
ficers of the law"
DO you undertake to coerce Off
GERS of the law?''
I'VE do not undertake to get Off
GERS of the law in any such positions
That is entirely improper
Little Cowboy Governor.
Chairman Walsh then read a letter
written to Mr.. Rockefeller by L. NJ.
Bowers, former superintendent of the
executive department of the Colorado
Fuel & Iron Co. on November 10,
1913, which included the following:
You will be interested to know
that we have been able to secure the
co-operaion of all the bankers in the
city, who have had three or four in
terviewS with our little cowboy gov
ernor, agreeing to back the state and
lend it all the funds necessary to
maintain the militia and afford ample
protection SO that our miners can re-
turn to work or give protection to men
who are anxious to come here from
Texas, New Mexico and Kansas, to-
gether with some from states further
east.
Besides the bankers, the Chamber
of Commerce, the Real Estate ex-
change, together with great many
of the best business men, have been
urging the governor to take steps to
drive these vicious agitators out of the
state. Another mighty power has
been rounded up in behalf of the oper-
ators by the gathering together of
fourteen of the editors of the most i'm
portant newSpa pers in Denver, Pueblo,
Trinidad. Walsenburg, Colorado
Snrin 9th of 10 Ia nj