The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-10

| Onlted Workmen, having been in the
latter organization for eight years. Mr.
| Darrow here had witness Identify &
| copy of the constitution of the West
/ ern Federation of Miners and Offered
! in evidence. There was no objection
from the state. 1t was announced thai
the reading could be deferred Mr.
Meyer said that as president no bond
was required of him, but that Hay
wood, secretary-treaSurer was under a
bond OF $4,000.
Away Much of the Time.
The witness declared that his duties
as president of the organization re-
quired his absence from headquarters
greater part of the time.
me territory covered by the West
ern Federation extends from Michigan
to the Pacific coast and from Alaska
to Mexico. There were $4,000 mem
bers of the federation when Meyer
was elected. When he was arrested
more than year ago, there were
more than 10000 members and ac-
cording to this years report there are
more than 10000.
Now. Mr. Meyer. during your
terms as president what had been the
custom of the organization toward
defending members of the union who
had been charged with crime grow
ing out of their connection with the
union or where the federation has
been involved ?'' asked Mr. Darrow.
1T has been the rule of the organi-
cation always to protect it's mem bers
and the interest of the organization
where attacks have been made against
them" Meyer spoke with absolute self
possession. He seemed to weigh every
word of his answers.
Has the organization had to defend
its members quite often?"
And have there been many convic
tions?"
VERY few. considering the number
who have had charges placed against
them
Where were you in 1899 during the
Occur D'Alene troubles?''
I'm the Black Hills of South Dako-
ta.''
Member of Executive Board.
Meyer said he did not become a mem
ber of the executive board until the
June following their troubles. He had
nothing to do with the management of
the strike or no interest in it. other
than as a member of the organization
a long distance from the scene of the
troubles. After becoming a member
of the executive board he had to vote
on matters concerning the latter part of
the strike.
Were you in sympathy with the men
in the Coeur D'Alenes?"
Il was, yes. sir"
Did you ever know Gov. Steunen-
berg?"
mo, SIR
Ever see him?''
mo, sir
Did you ever entertain any personal
hostility toward him?'
No, SIR
you had the same feeling that other
of the organization had?"
Il can not say that 1 felt the same
rs the men who were actually in the
could not feel as strongly as they did"
Mr. Darrow then took the witness
TO the Cripple Creek district of Colo
-ado. The strike started at Colorado
ftrr IN % ha in
he Coforafo City n1ires.- -Moyer said, |
desired to organize and affiliate with |
the Western Federation of Miners |
Their right to do so was contested by
the employers and many of the men
we're discharged The state militia |
was called out almost as soon as the |
strike was inaugurated and despite |
hat fact. the witness declared, there |
vas no disorder. Many citizens pro- |
tested against the presence of the SOL |
1iers.
Strike Spread.
The strike extended to Cripple |
Creek in August. 1903, the men were |
going out in support of the Colorado |
City mill men. Practically all the ore |
mined in Cripple Creek was shipped !
% Colorado City for treatment in the i
mills there. The mine owners had |
irst been requested not to send their |
1re to Colorado City. The Portland |
nine, the largest in the district, sided
With the union and nlilled it's own ore. |
The strike spread to Telluride in Sep
ember. 1903, the mill men there go |
ns out for an eight hour day. An
light hour law was passed in 1899,
)ut was declared unconstitutional. A |
constitutional amendment providing
IN eight hour law was voted upon and
Idopted at the general election in
903. but the legislature which fol-
owed refused to enact such a law be-
.ause of the opposition of the mine
'wners. Soon after the strike was
allied at Cripple Creek, Meyer said
he miners at a picnic in Pinacle
,ark.
'I addressed the men as to my
pinion how the strike should be con-
lucted. I went into details as to the
ause of the strike and urged the men
o be careful about any acts of vio-
ence. or any acts which might be
harged against them and used
gainst the organization" said Meyer.
he troops went into the Cripple
'reek district September 4, 1908.
What was the condition as to peace
nd quiet at the time?" asked Mr.. Dar-
ow. The state objected to this as a
onclusion of the witness. The question
Tas finally allowed and Meyer declared
he men were going peaceably about
heir business and there was no disor-
How long did the strike in Cripple I
reek continue -
Same Old Strike.
1T is still in progress there" Meyer
aid he first met Steve Adams at the
innacle park picnic. Adams was serv-
lg lemonade. ice cream and soft drinks
I a refreShment stand which the union
ad set up. The witness was introduced
y some one standing near; he could not
just who it was
when did you first meet Harry Or
nard?"
I'm January, 1904, at headquarters of
lie Western Federation of Miners
How do you recall this?'' 1
There was a convention called by
lie state federation of labor-a general z
leeting of wage earners. Orchard was
delegate from Cripple Creek represent {