I know that there are no limits to which
the powers of privilege will not go to keep the workers in slavery.
-Mother Jones
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Wednesday January 27, 1915
New York, New York-Mother Jones Shakes Hands with John D. Jr., Will Meet with Him
Newspapers around the country are reporting the sensational news that Mother Jones shook hands in public yesterday with John D. Rockefeller Jr. Mr. Rockefeller approached Mother as he was walking to the witness stand to testify before the Commission on Industrial Relations. The offer of a hand shake was most graciously accepted by Mother Jones. His offer of a visit to discuss conditions in Colorado was also accepted.
From the El Paso Herald of January 26, 1915:
ASKS "MOTHER" JONES TO CALL
----------
Younger Rockefeller Surprises
Woman Strike Leader, but She Accepts.
----------
New York, Jan. 26.-John D. Rockefeller. jr., today invited "Mother" jones, the aged strike leader in the Colorado coal fields, to visit him and place before him all information as to the mining situation there. The invitation was accepted. It was extended by Rockefeller as he entered the room in the city hall where the federal commission on industrial relations is conducting its inquiry into the philanthropic foundations and the causes of industrial unrest. Mr. Rockefeller testified Monday before the commission and was the first witness called today.
As he walked from the door to the witness chair he saw "Mother" Jones sitting among the spectators. He stepped to her side and shook hands.
"I wish you would come to see me and give me any information you have on the Colorado situation," he said.
"That's Nice," She Says.
"Mother" Jones was visibly surprised.
"That's very nice of you," she said. "I have always said that you could know but little of the condition of the workers in Colorado, and that you should hear something else beside what these hirelings tell you."
John D Rockefeller Jr, unidentified, Commissioner Weinstock, Commissioner Mrs. J Borden Harriman,
Commissioner Lennon, Chairman Frank P Walsh, Secretary Manley, Commissioner O'Connell,
After Mr. Rockefeller took the stand, chairman Walsh read a letter written by J. F. Welborn, president of the company, to Starr J. Murphy, of the personal staff of John D. Rockefeller, sr. In the letter Mr. Wellborn said that a clergyman at Sunset had made some remarks detrimental to the company and that it had been suggested that the clergyman be removed. Although the clergyman had "made indiscreet remarks and has socialistic tendencies," Mr. Wellborn wrote that he hesitated to remove him.
`
Favored Freedom For Clergymen.
As a citizen Mr. Rockefeller said he believed all clergymen should be free to say what they pleased. It was brought out that the clergyman in question had been severe in his criticism of the Colorado Fuel and Iron company in connection with the conflicts a Ludlow.
"Did you know that Jefferson Farr is a sheriff and that for 15 years your company has used its influence to elect him?" asked Mr. Walsh. "Did you know that just before the strike he swore in 300 men as deputies and was told that the Colorado Fuel and Iron company would furnish them with arms and pay them?"
Mr. Rockefeller said that he knew nothing about that.
"As a citizen I say that anything which interferes with the operation of a democratic form of government should not be tolerated," Mr. Rockefeller added.
"I do know," he testified, "that if my house and property were in danger. I would take any measures within my power to protect them. Emergencies are likely to arise."
Hadn't Heard of Spies.
Mr. Rockefeller said he had never heard that detectives were employed by the Colorado Fuel and Iron company to spy on the men.
"Suppose you found that the executives of the Colorado Fuel and Iron company had taken away the rights of the men?" he was asked.
"I would have to hear all sides," he replied. "If the directors determined that the executive officials were guilty, they would have to stand any action the board might take."
Would Fire Him.
"What would you do to a corporation officer who admitted that he had used money and influence in an election?" chairman Walsh added.
"I would do my utmost to have him separated from the corporation," the witness replied. "I would not care to be associated in business with such a dishonest man."
[photograph added]
SOURCE
El Paso Herald
(El Paso, Texas)
-Jan 26, 1915
http://www.newspapers.com/...
See also:
Industrial relations: final report and testimony, Volume 8
United States. Commission on Industrial Relations
D.C. Gov. Print. Office, 1916
https://books.google.com/...
7763-New York City, January 25, 1915—10 a. m. Present: Chairman Walsh, Commissioners O'Connell, Lennon, Harriman, Ballard, Weinstock, Garretson, and Commons, John D Rockefeller Jr questioned by Frank P Walsh.
http://books.google.com/...
7789-Afternoon session—2 PM, questioning of JDR Jr by Walsh continues.
http://books.google.com/...
7816-New York City, January 26, 1915—10 a. m. Present: Chairman Walsh, Commissioners O'Connell, Lennon, Harriman, Ballard, Weinstock, Garretson, and Common. Testimony of JDR Jr continues, questioned by Walsh.
http://books.google.com/...
7842-afternoon sessions, 2 PM. Questioning of JDR Jr by Walsh continues.
http://books.google.com/...
7866-Adjournment at 4.30 o'clock pm, Tuesday. January 26. 1915 with announcement by Walsh that JDR Jr will again take the stand again on Wed Jan 27, 1915 at 10 AM.
http://books.google.com/...
IMAGES
John D Rockefeller Jr and Mother Jones shaking hands
http://query.nytimes.com/...
John D Rockefeller Jr before the Commission on Industrial Relation
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Ludlow Massacre-Christy Moore
That very night your soldiers waited,
Until all us miners were asleep,
You snuck around our little tent town,
Soaked our tents with your kerosene.
You struck a match and in the blaze that started,
You pulled the triggers of your gatling guns,
I made a run for the children but the fire wall stopped me.
Thirteen children died from your guns.
-Woody Guthrie
WE NEVER FORGET
The Thirteen Child Martyrs of Ludlow
1. Baby Costa, born to Cedi after her death
and buried with her upon her breast
2. Elivira Valdez-3 mos
3. Frank Petrucci-6 mos
4. Lucy Petrucci-2 1/2
5. Lucia Costa-4
6. Cloriva Pedregone-4
7. Joe Petrucci-4 1/2
8. Onafrio Costa-6
9. Rogerlo Pedregone-6
10 Maria Valdez-7
11 Eulalila Valdez-8
12 Rudolfo Valdez-9
13 Frankie Snyder-11
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````