to this, too. Because I found the Congress can act much more rapidly than it says it can act when it wants to act. I think these financial disclosures, Governor Rockefeller, are very healthy. The committee is going to be very careful. I would say that never has so much been released for the benefit of so many as has been here. I would like to congratulate you on what you said about the absence of economic impact. I think it would be fair to say that no matter what you say it will nevertheless be continued to be said in this country about certain number of people that you do have the economic impact. That was the last thing you said as I recall. I would not think that two-tenths of 1 percent ownership of a company would be economic impact; that perhaps will lead to further questions to nail this point in. I would like to ask you something on another matter. Some of our public officials at times have been engaged in rather bitter antagonism with the press, with the members of all news media. What is your feeling as to how you as a public official should deal with the press in seeking to obtain information for the American people? Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Senator Scott, I testified in this room before Senator Ervin on the Federal shield law as we call it in New York State. I proposed and it was passed-a Federal shield law protecting newspapermen, the right of privacy and source of information. To me the free press in the United States-well, let us call it the free media-is an essential part of democracy of the country and I think we owe them all a tremendous debt of gratitude for their role in preserving under these very difficult circumstances a free society. Let us face it, we all have scars from the free press but I would much rather have scars and see the system survive than be without blemishes and have something happen to the system. So that I am all for it and I will to the best of my ability, will always try to answer the questions as openly and frankly as I can. Senator HUGH SCOTT. On another matter, that is as one who was raised on management's side of the economy, I would like to know how you expect to be able to relate to labor and particularly if you were to become President, what would that mean for labor? Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Well, my first contact and experience with organized labor was during the early thirties in the construction of Rockefeller Center. As I mentioned earlier, all contracts were let with union labor and I came to know the men and the leaders very well because of my activities there. We had craftsmanship awards and the leaders and families spoke; and as a matter of fact that is where I first came to know President George Meany who was then head of the Plumbers Union and later head of the CIO-AFL-CIO in New York State. We became very good friends in those years. As a matter of fact he went on the advisory committee of the Office of Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs in 1940 and I have been friends with him ever since. Now, when I first came into the governorship, labor was supporting the Democratic candidate as was their tradition and we had some very frank discussions and encounters over the years, and by the third election they did not take the position on either side. In my fourth election-maybe it was the third and fourth-I actually had the support of the AFL-CIO. Based on their feeling that what I had done for the State was in the best interest of the working men and women whether they were union employees or not. And they so stated in their statement of support. I will never forget one amusing incident; the Bartenders Union came out against me in one election and the membership demanded a vote and when they had the vote they switched the leadership's position and supported me. I do not want you to draw any wrong conclusions from that. Senator HUGH SCOTT. Usually, the switch of a vote results when the union is convinced that you are making use of the product. [Laughter.] Mr. ROCKEFELLER. With my family background, sir, that did not quite come within the ethics. Senator HUGH SCOTT. Finally, some Vice Presidents have presided frequently over the Senate and others have not. President Ford as Vice President did frequently preside. What is your view as to that? Could we in the Senate expect to have the benefit of your presiding frequently subject to being called away on specific assigned duties? Do you have any objection to looking at us day in and day out? Mr. ROCKEFELLER. The answer is "Yes." I look forward toSenator HUGH SCOTT. The answer is yes, you have objection? [Laughter.] Mr. ROCKEFELLER. No, the first part. The subsequent part of your question that I would look forward to presiding if possible and both from the point of constitutional responsibility, and second, because of my great respect for the tremendously important role that the Senate plays, that the whole legislative process plays; and last but not least, a tremendously strong nostalgic feeling about my grandfather who preceded Senator Pell. Senator HUGH SCOTT. I thank you very much, Governor. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Mr. Rockefeller. You summarized somewhat from your original statement that has now been released to the press so if there is no objection we will make that statement in full a part of the record as well as your explanatory summary. [The written statement of Mr. Rockefeller follows:] Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Members of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the United States Senate: I. INTRODUCTION I come before you with a sense of humility and a deep awareness of the historic significance of these hearings. Eleven months ago, you were convened to consider the nomination of a Vice President who is now President of the United States-the first President of this country ever to hold office without being elected by the people. The change of national leadership was accomplished, after two years of travail, on an orderly basis-within the framework of the Constitution. Now you are convened again to consider the nomination of another Vice President under the 25th Amendment-a nomination which, if confirmed, would mean that for the first time in the Nation's history, both the President and the Vice President would hold office without having been elected. In the light of all this, I not only recognize the special responsibility which faces me but also am profoundly aware of the tremendous responsibility facing the members of the two Committees and of the Congress as representatives of the people in these proceedings. I will therefore do my best to give a frank and open statement of my background, my associations, my purpose, my finances, and anything else you want to know bearing upon my qualifications. Above all, I am here to answer your questions to the best of my ability. II. FAMILY BACKGROUND First, if I may, I would like to make some comments on the intellectual and spiritual heritage that has molded the beliefs and guided the sense of purpose of our family. The ancestors of both my parents came to this country to seek religious freedom. My mother's family descended from Roger Williams, the pioneer of religious freedom who founded Rhode Island in 1636, and from Elder William Brewster, who emigrated on the Mayflower and was a founder of Plymouth Colony in 1620. The early members of my father's family were Huguenots, French Protestants driven out of France to Germany, where they are said to have changed their name from Roquefeuille to Rockefeller. The first Rockefeller emigrated to this country in 1723. A. MOTHER'S FAMILY My mother's father was Senator Nelson W. Aldrich from Rhode Island. He grew up a poor boy, left school in 1858 at age seventeen to work as a grocery clerk in Providence, went into business at an early age and ultimately made his career in government. He became Speaker of the Assembly in Rhode Island, was elected to Congress, and then, in 1881, was sent by the Legislature of Rhode Island to represent his state in the Senate of the United States. He was Senator from Rhode Island for thirty-one years, the last seventeen of which he was Majority Leader of the Senate. He was leader of what was known as the Old Guard, a creative conservative, and a protectionist. As Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Senate, after extensive study of the European banking system, he drafted legislation which ultimately created the Federal Reserve System of the United States. Senator Aldrich was an engaging and dynamic personality, a man who had a great interest in people and loved the arts. My mother grew up in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Washington. She was very close to her father and usually accompanied him on his trips abroad. B. FATHER'S FAMILY My father's family also came from humble origins. His great grandfather, Godfrey Rockefeller, left Massachusetts in a covered wagon train, headed for Michigan in 1832 with a wife and ten children. However, they ended their trip County. They named it Michigan Hill. My father's grandfather, William Avery It was his farm, in a three-room house, that my grandfather, John D. Rocke. Rockefeller, bought a second farm on Michigan Hill, west of Godfrey's home. feller, born, the eldest of three sons. |