The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-01
SETS HIMSELF RIGHT
General Merriam's Version of
a Famous Interview.
TWO TELEGRAMS ARRIVE
From the West Promising
More Witnesses,

| General Merriam was again the stand
| in the Occur D'Alene investigation 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 a bayonet to protect
| the property Of the mine owners, and
that similar protection be withheld from
| the mem"
| II would use just as much power and
/ just as much influence" replied General
Merriam, ito have the mine owners OBJ
serve their obligations as to compel the
mine men to observe theirs.
Concerning the permit proclamation,
General Merriam said he had suggested
to Bartlett Sinclair. the civil official in
charge, certain features that should be
embodied in the proclamation. These
were adopted by Mr. Sinclair. When Mr..
Robertson sought to show that the war
department had not been sufficiently ad-
vised as to the permit system. General
Merriam said that was for the depart
ment to determine.
The witness was asked if the dispatches
of Secretary Alger did not in effect say:
Let the permit system alone" Cen
eral Merriam said he had not interfered
in this syste m or the labor affairs in any
way, except for the purpose of maintain
ing order.
General Merriam was questioned as to
an interview re presenting that at a meet
ing Of the citiz ems in the Couer D'Alene
he stated that congress should pass law
to deal with unions as criminal organiza-
tons. He said he was glad of the OPP
portunity to correct the errors of this al
legged interview. He had not, he said,
mentioned congress, nor did the interview
so state, but an erroneous Interpretation
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 makes the action
of those people-as narrated by Mr.. Sow
ereisn in his paper-crimes punishable by
law.
He also stated that the remedy for the
trouble was in the state. Hue was per-
fectIy positive, ne said, that he had not
stuItihed himself by telling these gentle
men that the remedy was in the state,
and at the same time that it was with
congress. nrr
Did not Mr.. GomDers at Denver
charge you with making the statements"
asked Mr.. Robertson.
II never saw General Gom0ers in my
life" answered General Merriam.
MIR. Robertson stated that in an address
at Denver Mr.. Gomoers had made a
charge of this character. General Mer-
riam said he had repeatedly stated that
he never pronounced the unions of the
Couer D'Alene district criminal organiza-
tons.
To Representative Dick General Mer-
Ram stated that he did not disapprove
of labor unions as such, for, like other
social and charitable organizations, they
accomplished much good in their legiti-
mate spheres. Bat he expressed the opin-
ion that radical leadership in the Cover
D'Alene had diverted these organizations
from their beneficial purposes.
Representative Sulzer cross questioned
I General Merriam particularly on the ex-
tent of his authority in the Couer
/ D'Alene district. The witness stated the
state officers resumed responsibility for
the general policy in force and he was
satisfied to let the responsibility rest
| rest there. tHtN l4oi HoluClAC41DGAS IdQ
1 frankly and generously taken upon him
! self full responsibility, although General
Merriam said he had not asked him to
! assume responsibility for anything the
military commander of the troops had
done General Merriam completed his
story during the afternoon and was ex-
cused
Mr.. Sulzer at this point sought to in
troduce two kilograms just received, one
alleging that Patrick ]. Murphy was ar
rested in the Couer D'Alene region last
night for expressing criticisms on the
course of the investigation; the other
from Edward Boyce, president of the
Western Federation of Miners, denying
the statements of Governor Steunenberg
as TO Boyce's connection with the blow
ing up of the Bunker Hill mill Mr.. Sui
Ter asked that Boyce and Murphy be
subpoenaed. There was energetic oppo-
sition against taking this up 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 pris-
oners and his evidence was as to the
care shown the men. He also made a
general denial of the charges of harsh
ness made against the troops.