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adjustments, including referrals to the state’s new Colorado Industrial Commission. The fourth defined
the company’s program for achieving social and industrial improvements. An attachment was a
Memorandum of Agreement that defined terms of employment, rents for company-owned houses, and
other standards of living and working conditions [84].
5.2. Promoting the Plan in Colorado
King successfully sold his proposal, and the group concurred that Rockefeller should go to Colorado
to present the plan personally. JDR Jr. asked that elections for representatives be held at two or three of the
camps so he could meet those representatives. Prior to his departure, King set up a meeting between
Rockefeller, King and union leaders White and Green, who urged them to proceed. The union organizers
had no delusions about earning union recognition, but thought the plan was sufficient for now. [85] King
also arranged to meet John Mitchell, founder of the UWMA, who was surprised by the approach. [86]
King left for Colorado a week in advance of his client to explain the plan to company officials. King
indoctrinated company officials, but listened to objections, invited suggestions and agreed to changes. His
personal secretary, Fred McGregor later wrote, “It was highly successful and before the week was over the
complete support and goodwill of the company’s men were won.” [87] Changes were made right up until
the plan was unveiled.
Rockefeller arrived in Denver, accompanied only by his personal secretary, Charles O. Heydt. The
four men—Rockefeller, King, Heydt and McGregor—spent nearly a month traveling along the Front
Range of the Rocky Mountains. “I never could have made the trip without him. He knew exactly what to
do. I learned more from him than anyone,” Rockefeller recalled. [88] It fell to King to squire the group,
assisted only by local officials who provided transportation. Based on his prior travels, King was able to
show Rockefeller both the good and the bad parts—and provided his client a balanced perspective.
Convention