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

ing before the House Committee on Mill
tary Affairs yesterday afternoon. Fred
Bnrbridge. manager Of the Bunker HiH and
sullivan Mines. at warduer. shoshone
I County. Idaho. admitted that he had per-
secuted union miners; that he had dis
charged them from the employ OF ths
company which he represents. wherever
and whenever he discovered them He ad-
mitted that this was in violation OF the
law OF Idaho. and in answer to a question
put by Mr. Stevens. a Republican mem
Der OF the committee. the witness ac-
knowledged having ignore the statute.
though cognizant OF its existence and its
provisions
The direct examination OF Mr. Burbridge
did not occupy many minutes. Briefly. be
gave his version OF the uprising which
resulted in the destruction Of the concen-
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 prsc-
ticed long discrimination against union
miners
Mr.. Burbridge had declared that il was
the fixed policy OF his company TO dis
charge union men whenever found
Didn't you know there was 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 and Mr..
RftrbridVa heEftafad hafora
That was the policy" he finally de-
clared.
General Carlip. who was in command OF
the Federal troops in the Occur d'Alenes
during the riots OF 1892. the first wit
ness called at the session. 1t was decided
however. that all the evidence he could
give might be obtained from his official
reports to the War Department. Accord
ingly General Carlin was excused.
Mr. Burbridge was the next witness. His
evidence was an exhaustive summary OF
conditions at Wardner since 1893.
In the spring OF 1899. " he said, there
were many mutterings OF trouble from the
union miners up Canyon Greek. On April
20 the Wardner Miners Union held meet
ing and deputed a committee which waited
on me. II you are a delegation from the
miners union. I said I cannot receive
you. but | will meet any Populations OF
BUNKER NH employees AGCOFOluEiy Lut
employees of the mine who we're on the
committee announced that they wanted a
raise to $3.50 ali around. I explained thai
personally | could not raise the scale, but
offered 70 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 50 and
$3.50 per day in accordance with their
skill. Only a 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. Thu
next morning a mob OF union miners
marched up the hill and at the point Of
reviewers 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 nos
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 at the mill. He was
eompanied by VI. L DOwd, the county as
sessor. / saw Young. and told him Of
the conditions. He said he would DO his
best to maintain peace. but asked that
We have a consultation with the miners
union With his assent we put up a notice
on the mine road warning all persons eX-
cept employees to keep on of it,.
The next day Sheriff Young called on
me to enquire about the notice. He in
sisted that il was a State road. and that
any person had a right to travel over it.
Further, declared he. be would defend
anybody. armed or unarmed, who wanted
to go over it.
During that week I received several
warnings that the mill would be blown
up"
Give the names Of the informants.
insisted Mr.. Sulzer.
Il must decline to divulge their names
on the ground that IL would imperil their
lives" answered Mr.. Burbridge. Il was
sustained in that same contention by the
courts in the COrcOran trial
THAT is a fasehOOd. and I challenge It
now" said Mr.. Sulzer. with much feeling.
This sort OF thing is not evidence"
1T occurs to me that il would no con-
sidered excellent evidence by any lawyer,
said Mr.. Capron.
Are you a lawyer demanded Mr. Hay,
Of Virginia, sarcastically.
II used to think I wasn't. but when I
see the alleged lawyers around this table.
I think I am an excellent one. retorted
Mr.. CaprOn.
Il demand the evidence in the Cor
coran trial. declared Mr.. Sulzer.
IN give you the records II the com
rpfftee orders it, answered Clerk Reeves.
Il demand them" said Mr. Suizer.
You can't brighten us" retorted Mr..
Stevens
I'm not trying to- answered the New
Yorker.
Mr. suIzer was given access TO the
records Of the Corcoran trial az 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 COrcOrau murder
trial. in which he testified that all union
men whatever were discharged. The wit
ness conceded this. At this point occurred
the colIoquy between Mr.. Stevens aud tGe
witness.
Isn't it fact that the policy you pur-
sued created fear among your employees
which prevented them from discussing
any plans for lettering their condition
demanded Mr.. Robertson.
II don't think sou
And when YOU raised the wages on
April % you told all members OF the union
that they could 90 TO the Office and get
their time
superintendent Burch made such a
statement.
Did you ever give the name Of anyone
to be released from the bull pen2' asked
Mr.. Robertson.
sr,.