The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1900-02-24

CATION OF alleged improper action oy the
military authorities at WATdnsr, Idaho,
began tuesday before the house COMMITTEES
On military affairs. The room was crowd.
ed and among those present were Gsnsal
Merriam and Governor Steunenberg.
The committee adopted the form Of pro.
ceturs offered by Hay Of virginia-thAt
the witnesses for the eomplAinahts be frat
heard with opportunities for response from
the other side.
/ The first witness, A. A. Frazer, lawyer
Of Shoshone county, where the trouble oe-
CURED, testified that the civil courts were
busy at the time martial law is said to
have been in operation.
RepresS NATIVE Lentz, who conducted the
inquiry, explained that this was the
ground work for judging the need OF mar
tial law.
Fred c. Robertson, a lawyer Of Spokane,
told OF his visits to the scene Of the riots,
including what he termed the bull pen, .
and gave detailed description Of the
mines where the trouble occurred. He ex'
planned the friction growing out Of the
employment OF non-union miners by the
Bunker Hill mine, the gathering OF 1000
miners on April 20 and the destruction
caused by the dynamiting Of the Bunker
Hill plant.
Governor Steunenberg had proclaimed
that a state Of insurrection existed and
several men were arrested and put into the
bull PEN
Robertson applied for writs Of habeas
corpus for the arrested men, but the courts
held that they would not interfere with
the action OF the governor, which in effect,
said the witness, was a suspension OF the
writ OF habeas corpus.
Robertson was continuing his recital
when the committee adjourned.
The investigation OF the mining troubles
and the conduct Of the United States
forces in Idaho last summer continued
Wednesday before the house committee
On military affairs. Frederick G. Robert.
son resumed his narrative, beginning with
! the legal proceedings he made in behalf
of the imprisoned miners and the difficult
ties he claims 70 have encountered IRON
the military authorities, state Officials
and courts. He said he was refused per
mission to be present ut the inquest OF
those killed during the outbreak and was
unable to communicate with the accused
miners as to their rights, although repre-
sentatives Of the mining company were
present. He protested to the attorney
general that the miners were being de-
MED the rights OF counsel. Throughout
these proceedings the witness said the
military authorities were in control OF
affairs. United States soldiers guarded
the imprisoned men, bringing them to and
from the court. Witness said that Gen
eral Merriam was in charge Of the 'bull
PEN which consisted Of old buildings and
box ears surrounded by wire fence. Rob
ertson expressed the opinion that the
Emitted States forces should have been
used to preserve order and uphold the civ.
il authorities, but in fact, he declared,
they superseded the civil authorities and
in some instances, which were not detail
ed, arrested men in no way connected with
the outbreak. He said there were no
warrants and none Of the usual forms OF
was stopped on the street and sent to
the bull pen. This was done by deputies
who acted under the state officials and
military authorities Messrs Morrow and
Fursueth of the American Federation of
Labor were present during the hearing and
President Gompers is expected to attend
when he arrives.
The answer Of the state department to
the house resolution calling for infoma-
ton regarding certain charges made BY
late Consul Macrum was transmitted To
the house by the president. The state
ment is signed by Secretary Hay, who
states that at NO time has Maerum re-
ported to the department an instance OF
the violation, by opening or otherwise, Of
his official mail by the British censor at
Durham or elsewhere. Continuing, the
OF state said there is no truth
in the charge that secret alliance exists
between the United States and Great
Britain or any other nation.