The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-05-12
CONFER WITH LAWYER
Occur d'Alene Attorney Meets With
the Miners Here.
DEFENSE OF STRIKERS
PLAN TO AID MERRIAM'S PRIS-
oNERS DISCUSSED.
Big Federation's Officers Not Decided
Whether to Place Its Means at
Disposal of Union and Non-union
Men Alike-Attorney Jones Tells
of Condition in Idaho's Panhandle

Leaders of the Miners Federation
held a long conference last night in the
Gladstone block with their attorney
Walter A. Jones of Wallace, Ida, who
has come here to consult with them
concerning the defense of the men who
are held as prisoners by General Mer-
| riam.
The conference was earnest and Sc
cret, and upon its conclusion the men,
bers of the federation went off to their
rooms. They did not care TO discuss
the matter. They were in session from
o'clock last night until 100 this
morning, and the whole situation was
gone over. Although they refused to
talk, 1t is known that no definite ac-
ton was taken. Mr.. Jones told them
all the facts about the case, and made
recommendations, but the leaders
among the miners arrived at no deci-
sion as to what line of action they will
follow.
However, it is said on good authority
that funds will be provided for the de-
Tense of the 500 or 1000 men now under
arrest and charged with various
crimes, from arson to murder. In fact,
a resolution was passed at the joint
convention of the miners and the West
ern Labor Union yesterday afternoon
which indicates the position that will
be assumed. In it words of encour-
agement We're sent to the brothers. in
the Occur d'Alene district. AS the fed
Grafton has $4,000 in its treasury for
the proposed miners home alone, and
many more thousands in it's general
fund. it is amply provided with means
to make strong defense.
one of the points which delays them
is whether or not both union and non
union men will be defended. So far the
federation has shown sympathy for the
non-union men, and has in reality made
no distinction between them and its
own members when Offering encourage
ment. 1t is probable that by tomorrow
a definite plan of defense will have
been formulated.
Suspects Huddled Together.
Attorney Jones, who has fought for
the miners in the Occur d'Alenes for
years, said yesterday that the condi-
ton of the 500 or 1000 prisoners is de-
plorable.
They had fifteen or more box cars
full of men on Saturday night on the
sidetrack." said he at the KENYON.
When l left Monday morning they were
still there and had been there without
blankets and no place to sleep, but on
the floors, and they are crowded thick
ly in the cars
Did they have anything TO eat?" was
asked.
Il don't know" said me- "They VIII
let no one near the prisoners"
There are about 400 more in a barn
in the Bunker Hill & Sullivan property,
strongly guarded. No one knows how
they are faring because no one is per
mitted to see the men. 1t may be de-
pended upon that they have very poor
accommodations. The authorities say
that stockade viii be built at once 10
give the men better accommodations.
L don't care to say anything more
about the matter because~I was ar
rested and locked up during the last
trouble and 1 don't want the experience
again."