The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-05-01

stand in the Occur d'Alene investiga-.
ton today, with Attorney Robertson
conducting the cross examination.
Would you consider it right" asked
Mr.. Robertson, that federal troops
force men at the point of the bayonet
to protect the property of the mine
owners, and that similar protection be
withheld from the men?"
I would use just as much power and
just as much influence" replied Gen
eral Merriam, Ito have mine owners
observe their obligations as TO compel
the minemen to observe theirs"
Concerning the permit proclamation,
General Merriam said he had suggest
ed to Bartlett Sinclair, the civil official
in charge. that certain features should
be embodied. These were adopted by
Mr.. Sinclair
When Robertson sought to show that
the war department had not been suf-
ficiently advised as to the permit sys-
tenn, General Merriam said that was
for the war department TO determine.
Witness was asked if the dispatches
Of Secretary Alger did not in effect say,
Let the permit SYSTEM alone" Cen
eral Merriam saiC he had not inter
fered in this system or the labor af-
fairs in any way, except for the pur-
pose of maintaining order
General Merriam was questioned as
to an interview purDOrting that at a
meeting of the citizens in the Occur
d'Alene he had stated that congress
should pass a law to deal with labor
organizations as criminal Onganiza-
lions.
What Merriam Did Say.
He said he was glad OF the oppor-
tCnity to correct errors Of this alleged
interview. He had not. he said, men
toned congress, nor did the interview
so state, although an erroneous inter-
probation of this character had arisen.
he stated that what he had. said at
that meeting was in substance:
You ought to have a conspiracy law
which would make the action of these
peOple-narrated by Mr.. Sovereign in
his paper-crimes punishable by law"
He also stated that the remedy for
the trouble was in the state. He was
perfectly positive, he said, that he had
not stultified himself by telling these
gentlemen that the remedy lay in the
state and at the same time that it was
with congress.
Did not Mr.. GOmpers at Denver
charge you with making the state
melIt?" asked Mr.. Robertson.
Il never saw Mr.. Gompers in my
life answered General Merriam.
Mr. Robertson stated that in an adj
dress at Denver Mr.. GCm9ers had
made a charge of this character
General Merriam said he had repeat
eddy stated that he never pronounced
the unions of the Occur dAlene dis
trict criminal organizations.
Favors Labor Organizations.
To Representative Dick General Mer-
riam stated that ne did not diSapproye
of labor organization, as such, for like
other social and charitable organiza-
tons they accomplish much good in
their legitimate spheres. But he ex-
pressed the opinion that radical leader
Ship in the Occur d'Alene had diverted
these orSanizatio from their beneficial
spheres.
Representative Sulzer crose- ques-
toned General Merriam, particularly on
the extent OF his authority in the Occur
! d'Alene region. The witness said the
state assumed responsibility for the
general policy in force, and he was sat
! isfied to let the responsibility rest there
Governor Steunenberg had frankly
and generously taken upon himself full
responsibility, although General Mer-
Ram said he had not asked the govern
or to assume responsibility for any
/ thing the military commander or the
troops had done.
| General Merriam completed his testi-
mony during the afternoon and was ex-
| cueed.
Sulzer Wants Witnesses.
/ Mr. Sulzer at this point sought to in
/ troduce the two kilograms just received,
one alleging that Patrick ] Murphy
was arrested in the COuer d'Alene re-
! gion last night for expressing criticisms
on the course of the investigation; the
other from Edward BOyce, president of
! the Western Federation of Miners, de-
nying the statements Of Governor Steu-
! nenberg as to BOyce's connection with
the blowing up of the Bunker Hill mill.
i Mr.. Sulzer asked that Boyce and Muir
! ply be subpOenaed.
There was energetic opposition
against this, except in the usual way
/ of executive sessions, and it went over.
Captain Frank A. Edwards began his
testimony during the day. He was in
/ command of the troops guarding the
I prisoners, and his evidence was as to
the care shown the men. He also made
a general denial Of the enormous
/ charges Of haTshness made against the
troops.