Evening star., 1915-02-03
WOULD NOT MISUSE
POWER It HOLDS
]. D. Greene Insists Rockefe|-
Ter Foundation Would Be
lust to Trade Unions.
CHARACTER OF ITS BOARD
GUARANTEE OF FAIRNESS
Secretary of the Organization OBJ
jects to Questions Relating to
Its Charter Privileges.

NEW YORK, February 3.-Jerome d.
Greene. secretary of the Rockefeller
Foundation, was a witness again to-
day before the federal commission on
industrial relations, conducting an in
quiry here into the causes Of industrial
unrest. Mr.. Greene said his entire time
was devoted to the work OF the Rookie
feIler Foundation The word pub
licity." Mr.. Greene said. had been
given black eye." because of methods
by which editorial and news space used
to be purchased in newspapers. The
honest publicity, as dispensed by Ivy
J. Lee" the witness thought, was per-
fectly fair and proper.
The foundation now employs only
three clerks. The number may be 'in-
creased later, when the foundation is
a little older" Mr.. Greene said.
Character Of Directors a Guarantee.
Mr.. Greene asserted that the char
acter Of the Rockefeller directors was
insurance against a misuse Of power.
Local restrictions upon the actions OF
directors would be bad. he thought. If
there ever was a misuse of power 1t
was within the right Of the legislature
to revoke the charter of the Rockefel-
Ter OF any other foundation.
Suppose the foundation controlled
the legislature?" asked Chairman
Walsh.
"If there ever was such shocking
situation I think the public would see
to it that the life Of the offending cor
poration was short" Mr.. Greene re-
piled.
He was questioned closely about how
he arranged for the legislature to grant
the Rockefeller Foundation charter.
Under it's charter the Rock
Foundation might conduct propa-
ganda against trade unionism, the wit
ness admitted.
Doesn't Like the Questions.
"I don't like these questions" the
! witness replied. "They are unfair"
Mr.. Walsh said he had no desire to
be unfair, but that he just wanted to
determine II such things were possible
under the charter.
Mr.. Greene said that the foundation
could conduct campaign against
workmen's compensation for injuries.
But l assure you that it would not"
he added.
But" he added, "such a thing would
be atrocious. I might go out into the
street and commit murder II 1 had q
gun"
CHAIRMAN WalSn asked Mr.. Greene
whether, under it's charter, the founda- :
tion could prohibit the use of the union
label in the publications to which 1t
had given money.
Rockefeller Work Outlined.
Mr.. Greene testified yesterday after
noon. He outlined some of the work
done by the various Rockefeller Or
ganizations. and presented a chart,
from John D, Rockefeller. jr.. showing
how the directors of the different
which the commissioners had requested
boards and the foundation were inter-
locked. He denied that the foundation
constituted menace to the public, and
said Mr.. Rockefeller, ST., had the
highest purposes in mind when he fur
nished the money which made possible
the philanthropic and scientific or
ganizations bearing his name.
Mother" Jones. who was in the au-
dience. interrupted the hearing for a
moment, while Edward P. Costigan of
counsel for the United Mine Workers
was being questioned as to whether the
so-called "call to arms" was justified
In Colorado.
why doesn't that man answer" she
demanded, rising and facing the wit
ness. Haven't L a right to arm my
self to protect my home and relatives?
l don't like this lodging the question"
Mr.. Costigan said that he did not
counsel the call being issued. but that
the provocation should be considered