The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-04
FAVORED NON-UNION MEN.
Evidence of Discrimination ut the
Occur d'Alenc Mines.

ing before the House Committee on Mill
tary Affairs yesterday afternoon. Tred
bnroridge. manager of the Bunker Fill aud
/ Sullivan Mines. at Wardner shcshone
county Idaho. admitted that he had per-
secuted union miners; that he had dis
] charged them from the employ of the
! company which he represents. wherever
ana whenever he discovered them. He ad-
/ mitted that this was in violation of tbs
law OF Idaho. and in answer 10 a question
put by Mr. Stevens. Republican mem
Der of the committee. the witness ac-
knowledged having ignored the statute,
| though cognizant OF its existence and its
provisions.
The direct examination of Mr. Burbridge
did not occupy many minutes. Briefly, he
gave his version OF the uprising which
resulted in the destruction of the coneen-
/ traitor of the mines of which he was the
manager. The cross examination of the
witness was begun by Mr. Robertson. The
sensational feature of the session occurred
when Mr. Burbridge admitted having prac-
ticed long discrimination against union
miners.
Mr.. Burbridge had declared that it was
the fixed policy of his company to dis
charge union men whenever found.
/ Didn't you know there was a statute
in Idaho against such discrimination. de-
manded Mr.. Stevens.
Yes" assented Mr. BurbrIdge.
Then you deliberately perpetrated a
crime by discriminating against the
unions?" persisted his inquisitor.
1t was an awkward question. aud Mr..
D.,
That was the policy" he finally de-
clared.
General Cariip. who was in command OF
the Federal troops in the Occur dAlenes
during the riots Of 1892, was the first wit
ness called at the session. II was decided
however, that all the evidence he could
give might be obtained from his official
reports to the War Department Accord
insly General Carlin was excused.
Mr.. Burbridge was the next witness. His
evidence was an exhaustive summary of
conditions at Wardner since 1888.
In the spring OF 1892 he said, there
were many mutterings OF trouble from the
union miners up Canyon Creek. On April
% the Wardner Miners Union held a meet
ing and deputed committee which waited
on me. If you are delegation from the
miners union / said L cannot receive
YOU. but | will meet any iePutations OF
Bunker Hill employees. Accordingly the
employees of the mine who were on the
committee announced that they wanted a
raise to $3.50 ali around. | explained that
personally l could not raise the scale but
offered to telegraph the head officers of
the company for Instructions. The COM
mittee retired in apparent disgust. The
miners union met at once and marched
up the hill to the mine There the presi
dent, Edwin Boyles. demanded that all the
men join the union. Meanwhile / had
taken it upon myself to raise the scale
and promised all our employees SO and
$3.50 per day in accordance with their
skill. Only few men Joined the union
On Tuesday night a crowd of union
men marched up the hill again and called
upon the Bunker Hill employees to join the
union or accept another proposition Tho
next morning a mob of union miners
marched up the hill and at the point OF
revolvers forced our men down. On the
same day a mob of about fifteen or twenty
armed men took possession of our tramway
and tied it in such way that it could no;
be worked.
Sheriff Young was notified on that day
by telephone. and in the afternoon he
went TO the mine office. two miles distant
from my Office a. the mill He was ac-
companied by NJ. l. Dowd the county as
sessor. l saw Young, and told him of
the conditions. He said he would do his
best to maintain peace, but asked that
We have consultation with the miners
union. With his assent we put up notice
on the mine road warning all persons ex-
cept employees to keep on of it.
THE next day Sheriff Young called on
ne to enquire about the notice. He in
sisted that it was a State road. and that
any person had right to travel over it,
Further, declared he, he would defend
anybody armed or unarmed. who wanted
to go over it.
During that week 1 received several
warnings that the mill would be blown
up"
Give the names Of the informants."
insisted Mr.. Sulzer.
Il must decline to dfvulge their names
on the ground that it would imperil their
lives" answered Mr.. Burbridge. Il was
sustained in that same contention by the
courts in the Corcoran trial.
That is a falsehood. and I challenge it
now" said Mr. Sulzer. with much feeling.
This sort OF thing is not evidence"
1T occurs to me that it would he con-
sdered excellent evidence by any lawyer,
said Mr.. CapTOn.
Are you a lawyer" demanded Mr.. Hay.
OF Virginia, sarcastically.
II used to think | wasn't. but when 1
see the alleged lawyers around this table.
1 think l am an excellent one retorted
Mr.. Capron.
u demand the evidence in the Cor
coran trial" declared Mr.. Sulzer.
ri give you tine records il the com
mittee orders it, answered Clerk Reeves.
Il demand them" said Mr.. Sulzer.
You can't brighten us. Tetorted Mr..
Stevens.
I'm not trying to-" answered the New
Yorker.
Mr.. sulzer was given access to the
records of the COrcoran trial at Wallace.
Idaho.
on vote Mr. Burbrfdge was excused
from telling who informed him OF the
mob's coming.
F. C. Robertson. of Spokane, represent
ing the miners union. took up the cross
who has been attending the elections at
Columbus
Mr.. Robertson produced Mr.. Bur
BRIDGES testimony at the Corcoran murier
trial in which he testified that all union
men whatever were discharged. The wit
ness conceded this. At this point occurred
the colloquy between Mr.. Stevens aud the
witness.
Isn't it fact that the policy you pur-
sued created a fear among your employees
which prevented them from discussing
any plans for lettering their condition.
demanded Mr.. Robertson.
Il don't think so?'
And when you raised the wages on
April % you told all members of the union
that they could go TO the Office and get
their time?'
Superintendent Burch made such
statement"
Did you ever give the name of anyone
to be released from the bull pen2" asked
Mr. Robertson
In response to a request from the little