Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-14
THE eEErfNG RAN HIGH
!B
Exchange Of Words During the Idaho Mine
Inquiry.
The Chairman Urged Not to BE Timid
The Remark Styled
an Insult.

Feeling ran high at the Occur dAlene in
vestigation before the House committee on
military affairf to-day, and there were sew
eral spirited exchanges between Chairman
Hull and Representative Lentz.
George Cornell was. on the stand. relating
his experience during imprisonment. which
differed only in detail from those of other
witnesses. One of his recitals was as to an
old soldier. who, because Of the brutality
of~the negro soldiers toward him. took his
Grand Army button from his coat, and,
with tears in his eyes, threw 1t away. Cor
nell said he made memorandum of the af-
fair, but the book was taken from him, and
he saw it afterward in the possession of
Bartlett Sinclair, the governors representa-
tive during the troubles.
mr. Sinclair, who was present arose and
declared there was no such soldier as had
been described.
Mr.. Lentz protested against statements
not under oath. He also gave notice that
he would call on Mr.. Sinclair to produce
his books to locate this alleged soldier
entry.
chairman Hull here interposed to remind
Mr.. Lentz that he was not the entire COM
mttee and was not in a position individu-
ally to order the production Of books. This
was the province of the committee, and
without such action Mr.. Lentz's notices
amounted to nothing.
Mr.. Lentz said that this was the usual
notice that books referred to in testimony
would be called for. He asked that the
committee make the request, and without
objection this was done.
Mr.. Lentz also moved that the committee
call for all rolls. records. etc. showing
the names of those held in the bull pen,'
the charges against them, etc. The COM
mittee went into executive session to pass
upon the motion.
Against Calling for Rolls.
AT the executive session the committee
voted to against calling for the i'm
mediate presentation of the rolls. records,
ETC., Of the bull pen" 1t was agreed.
however, that Gen. Merriam and others be
requested to present any such papers when
they were heard.
When: the open session was resumed the
testimony was soon interrupted by another
exciting controversy. One of the attorneys
present in behalf of the state of Idaho oc-
cupied seat near the head Of the table
and Mr.. Lents referred to the outside
coaching" which was going on. He also
questioned the attorney as to whom he rep
resented by whom he was retained and
What retainer had been paid. The answer
was that Gov. Steunenberg had given $3.50
check as retainer.
Earnest Exchange of Words.
The following colloquy occurred:
Chairman -Hull-''What difference does
that maker"
Mr.. sulzer of New York-"Don't be so
timid, Mr.. Chairman
Mr.. Stevens of Minnesota-"Thers Is such
a thing as decency."
Mr.. Sulze-''That may be-"
Mr.. Steve1s-'You had better get little
of it, -
Mr.. Dick of Oho-'I object to the insult
ang remark or the gentleman from New
York to the chairman"
Mr. Sulzer-"Never mind what you want
to do about 1t. / will have my rights here
You can rest assured Of that I know, Mr..
Dick, you are very sensitive
Mr.. Dick-"Not at all sensitive to any
thing you can say
Mr.. Sulzef-"We will have our say here"
The manner of the exchange showed that
the members were very much in earnest.
The witness then went on with his testt-
mony. He told of the vileness Of the barn
where the men We're first confined and Of
the harsh treatment accorded them