The Irish standard., 1907-07-13
MOYER takes Stand
IN haywood TRIAL
PRESIDENT OF WESTERN FED.
GRAFTON OF MINERS TEsTl-
FlES FOR THE DEFENSE.
NEVER PERSONALLY
HOSTILE TO GOVERNOR
Witness Denies Discussing Explosion
at indicator Shaft as Told OF by
orchard-Never Gave Latter Money
at Any Time.


at Any Time.
Boise, Idaho, July 11.-Charles H.
Meyer, president of the Western Fed
Grafton of Miners and fellow defend
ant of William D. Haywood in the in
dictment charging them with the MUIR
der of Frank Steunenberg, was sworn
Wednesday as a witness in behalf of
the comrade. He was called by the
defense at 10:15 in the morning and
was escorted into court by deputy
sheriff. He seemed quite self-pos-
sessed, and as he walked to the stand
looked around the court room, appar-
emily seeking a glimpse of his wife,
who occupied an inconspicuous chair
behind one of the press tables. He
displayed some nervousness as his
examination began, but within few
minutes was going very steadily in a
recital of his connection with the
Western Federation of Miners.
During the review of the Couer
D'Alene strike of 1899, the witness
said he was in sympathy with the
strikers in their struggle, and he
never had any personal hostility for
Frank Steunenberg. In describing his
duties, Meyer declared that they re-
quired that he be absent from Denver
plotting ground of the conspiracy
alleged by the state-more than half
Of the time
Denies Orchards Story.
Meyer, with the utmost delibera.
ton, denied that he had ever discuss
ed the explosion at the vindicator
mine as detailed by Orchard. He
admitted having met Orchard in Den
yer during labor convention in Jan
uary, 1904. He had also seen him
at Cripple Creek in February, 1904,
when he became fairly we'll acquaint-
ed with him. Meyer denied that at
any time he had given Orchard any
money or had any knowledge of Or
chard having been given money by
any officer of the federation. Meyer
detailed his trip to Ouray, Col, with
Orchard in 1904. He said Orchard
was going there to get work, and sug-
gested that they travel together. This
was for self.protection because of at
tacks on members Of the organization.
He described their arrangements for
carrying revolvers, and "sawed-off
shotguns" which he said were. secured
by Pettibone. Orchard, Meyer said,
bought his own ticket, but Meyer paid
his expenses and hotel bill.
Tells Of Cripple Creek Strike.
Mr.. barrow took the witness to the
Cripple Creek district of Colorado and
the beginning of the labor strife there.
The strike started at Colorado City
in February, 1908. The men in the
Colorado City mines, Meyer said, de.
sired to organize and affiliate with
the Western Federation Of Miners.
Their right to do so was contested by
their employers and many of the men
were discharged. The state militia
was called out almost as soon as the
strike was started, and despite that
fact the witness declared, there was
no disorder. Many citizens protested
against the presence of the soldiers.
The strike extended to Cripple
Creek, 1903, the men were going out
in support of the Colorado City mill
men. Practically all the ore mined
in Cripple Creek was shipped to Col
orado City for treatment in the mills
there. The mine owners had first
been requested not to send their ore
to Colorado City. The Portland mine,
the largest in the district, sided with
the union, and milled its own ore.
. The strike spread to Telluride in
September, 1908, the mill men there
going out for an eight-hour day. An
etght-hour law was passed in 1899, but
was declared unconstitutional.
A constitutional amendment pro-
viding an eight-hour law was voted
upon and adopted at the general elec-
ton in 1908, but the legislature which
followed refused to enact such law
because of the opposition Of the mine
owners.
Soon after the strike was called
at Cripple Creek, Meyer said, he and
Haywood went to address the miners
at picnic in Pinnacle park.
duuISSSeu LIe men as 10 my
opinion how the strike should be con-
Quoted. Il went into details as to the
cause of the strike, and urged the men
to be careful about any acts of vic.
lenee or any acts which might be
charged against them and used
against the organization" said Meyer.
The troops went into the Cripple
Creek district September 4, 1903.
What was the condition as to
peace and quiet at the timer asked
Darrow.
The state objected to this as a con.
clusion of the witness. The question
was finally allowed, and Meyer de.
clared the men were going peaceably
about their business and there was no
disorder.
Saratoga Chip Inventor Dead.
New York, July 11.-Hiram S.
Thomas, negro, who originated Sar-
etopa chins and who WAS a noted chef