The Washington times., 1907-05-06
PRESIDENTS NOTE
SUITS LABOR MEN
Believe He Was Fair
to the Accused
Miners.
Miscarriage of Justice, If
Any, viii BE Rec
titled.

NEW YORK. May c. President
Roosevelt has convinced the Central
Federated Union that his attitude
toward Haywood, Meyer, Pettibone and
Debs. men whom ne characterized as
undesirable citizens" is fair, square
and manly. The committee which visit
ed him in washington reported an in
terview which Il had with him and pre-
scented a letter which he wrote that aft
ernOon 10 John 5. Henry. member Of
the committee.
Mr.. Roosevelt wrote 10 Mr.. Henry. in
part.
When you, in company with Messrs.
Coakley and Brown. called upon me this
morning, 1 read yOu the letter 1 had
written to the Attorney General on
March .. 1906. At your request I gladly
send you the following extract from the
letter:
See That Justice Is Done
"'Our duty is if it should ever happen
that we had any power in the matter, to
see that exact justice is done these men
(MOyer and Haywood. There must be
no conformation Of lawlessness on our
part even IL the lawlessuess takes the
form Of an effort 60 avenge the wrongs
committed by the lawlessness Of others.
The sole question as regards Haywood
and Meyer must be the question
whether or not they can be shown 70
be guilty OF this particular act, and
their legal rights must be carefully safe
guarded, as those of any other men,.
1T is alleged that they were extra
dited from Colorado in manner that
amounted to a betrayal OF their legal
ri ch
trict attorney of Colorado, and II nee
essary the district attorney Of Idaho.
give me such information as they can
on this point. 1 should like to get from
the district attorney Of Idaho any in
formation that he can obtain as to
whether or not there has been the slight
est disposition shown by the authorities
an Idaho 10 act toward these men in an
unfair or improper manner. or TO deny
them their legal rights.
Incorporate Violence.
con the other hand. 7 should like to
know whether there is any symptom of
a miscarriage Of justice in their favor.
The Incorporate violence with
which socialistic or labor papers ike
that of Debs', and. I am sorry to say.
some labor organizations. have insisted,
without any knowledge OF the facts,
upon treating these men as martyrs 10
the cause Of labor, has unquestionably re-
suited in tremendous pressure being
brought 10 bear upon the authorities OF
Idaho to discharge or acquit them,
whether guilty or innocent
so far as the unions are anxious
only to see that exact justice is done
these men, that they receive their full
legal rights and are not condemned I'M
less proved guilty Of this specific act.
thcy are entitled to the cordial cooper
alton Of all just and fair-minded citi-
Zens
'In response to your question, It IS,
trust needless for me to say that II
at any time you or any one else can
submit to me evidence showing that
there has been a miscarriage of JUS
tice for or against Messrs. Meyer and
Haywood. which you believe 1t is in
my power TO remedy, I viii at once
bring such evidence TO the attention OF
the Attorney General, 20 have him give
IL the fullest consideration and 10 take
thereon such action. If any. as It may
be in the power Of the Federal au-
thorities to take"
Long Conference With President.
The men who saw the President said !
they had had with him a free and full
discussion, lasting an hour and a half
]. Abrams. who was removed from
the committee n week ago because Of
his rabid views. called the letter an
evasion He declared the President had I
offered no facts 20 show that Meyer /
and Haywood were undesirable citi- /
zens"
Mr. Henry was on his feet IN a min J
ute. as WIS William A. COakley. inter- /
national president Of the photographic |
pressmen and an associate Of Mr.. |
Henry on the committee.
IL we ask a man 10 give us a square /
deal let US give him a square DEAL too" |
said Coakley. This letter is not an |
evasion 1t is right to the point, and !
shows that the President more than 4
twelve months ago intended 10 see that I
Meyer and Haywood got square deal, !
no matter what he thought about them |
personally
Socialists Scored.
Some Of the delegates to this body /
are simply trying to use this case to /
advertise their propaganda. It is high /
time that organized labor began 10 find |
cut where it belongs. 1t has been pulled /
along by the nose by socialists long
enough"
OILY one other delegate had. the cour-
age 10 attack the President, and he was |
answered quickly by Samuel Debs, OF |
the Newspaper Deliverers' Union; |
-Hsrry De Yeaux, Of the Actors Pro- |
tectve Association, and several dele
gates who are known as firm opponents
or Mr.. Roosevelts political policies
On the motion Of Rudolph Modest. a |
copy OF the Presidents letter was or
aered 10 be sent 70 the counsel for
Meyer ana Haywood. with a reouesr
thar they furnish proof 10 the President
OF the alleged nlegality of the extradi-
uon.
J0cEpu uAMCI cTADpr0