The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-11
MOYER KNEW ORCHARD WE'LL
FEDERATION PRESIDENT ON TIE
STAND ADMITS INTIMACY.
Tells or Giving sl.sOO Of Upion's Money
TO Defend Orchard-swes rs Orchard
Never In His Presence Threatened
steuncnberg II Testimony Irrelevant.

steuncnbery III Testimony Irrelevant
BOISE, July io.-Chsrles II. Meyer, one
Of the three leaders Of The Western Fell
GRAFTON Of Miners accused Of conspiracy
to murder ex-Gov. Steunenberg, took tbs
witness chair this morning in defence of
William ID. Haywood, the particular de-
PENDANT now on trial. and occupied 1t all
day long under the direct examination OF
Lawyer Clarence Darrow.
1t cannot be said that the witness made
any very important contribution ia the
case. As a matter Of course. he denied
all of the charges made by Harry Orchard
that implicated him in a conspiracy to
remove by violence the men most promi-
nently identified with the opposition to the
federation.
He further sketched the history Of his
connection with the federation, described
the workings Of the various departments
Of the federation and told Of the labor
troubles before, during and after the Cripple
Creek troubles Of 1908.
Probably the feature Of Meyers ap-
pearance on the stand. 80 far as the de-
fence is concerned, is the fact that he ap.
peared at all, for there have been many
rumors that the lawyers for Haywood
would not dare to call the declarations
president IA a witness. fearing that he
would break dow These fcars, 30 far
as Meyers appearance to-day is con-
cerned. were g~roundless. He seemed to be
in perfect command of himself. was at all
times cool and clear in what he said and
displayed a pleasing address.
The president OF the federatio on is a
sparely built man OF average height, dark
brown hair. black mustache and piercing.
cavernous eyes. He speaks with perfect
distinctness. although al occasional slip
betrays the fact that he is n man OF littls
education.
While his testimony denied all the ale
cations OF crime that Orchard made re-
garding him. Meyer gave evidence that
he knew Orchard very well and saw a good
deal OF him. He furthermore said that
when several members Of the federation
were accused OF trying to wreck a train near
Cripple Creek late in 1908, Orchard gave
considerable help TO the defence in pre-
pairing the case
He ~corroborated what Orchard had said
about going to ouray as a shotgun guard
for Meyer. except that he declared that
he did not telephone to Cripple Creek for
Orchard. as the latter testified he did. He
said Orchard came into his Office in Denver
and that he spoke to him there about it.
A great part OF the testimony given by
Meyer related to the political conditions
of the time in Colorado. to Gov. Peabody's
doings and to the decisions Of the court on
labor matters
1t is certain that the State will request the
Court to instruct the jury to pay no atten-
ton to all this line OF evidence. and indeed
it is hard to see what these things have to
do with the charge that the three defend
ants conspired to kill Steunenberg and
others who opposed the federation
Meyer did, however. testify to certain
things which show that Haywood charged
soon after Orchards arrest. that a con-
spiracy was in process Of formation to
connect the federation with various grave
crimes. and hat steps were taken to hire
lawyers 10 defend the interests OF the fed
Grafton in case it should appear that they
were to be involved in the disposition Of
Harry Orchards case.
He even testified that early in February,
1905, he gave 81 ,5OOto FredM Miller Of Spokane
to defend Orchard. No evidence was intro
duced. however. TO show why it was that
before any request had come from Orchard
Miller telegraphed Orchard from Spokane
that he was coming to Caldwell at once
to defend him.
The strongest part OF Meyers testimony
was his personal appearance and manner
on the stand; the weakes part related
to the action Of the federation officials
with reference to the Independence Station
horror.
When the station was blown up and
fourteen non-union men were killed, Meyer
was under arrest. He said he wired the
federation convention to do all In its power
TO detect the perpetrators OF that outra &c.
The convention offered a reward Of IS, 900.
Later on, Meyer testified that he knew
the authorities were looking for Orchard
as a suspect in hat case.
Several other witnesses for the defence,
all Of them members or officers of the fed
Grafton, have testified to knowing this, too.
Yet. though the federation had made a big
noise about Offering a reward they never
made the least effort to turn Orchard over
to the authorities. though his whereabouts
was perfectly well known to them.
For the first time in two weeks the court
room was crowded. Even the presence Of
a circus in town. the second in two months.
and still a third IN the way. could not de-
populate the court room. In vain did the
steam calliope discourse the sweet strains
Of that ancient classic ia Rs Ra Boom
De Aye The crowd never budged. They
had been waiting for Meyer too long
All the members Of Haywood's family
were with him, including his crippled wife.
On the other side Of the court room sat
Mrs. Meyer. a rather pretty little woman.
quiet and unassuming both in manner and
dress She has been in court only twios
before.
When Meyer first took the stand there
was a photographer who cut of his view Of
Mrs. Meyer. His eye travelled question
ingly around the room until the camera
man had imbered up and departed. Then
he saw her and she gave him an encourag-
ing smile. IL il more than likely that