Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-11
HAD A LONG DAY ON STAND
Closely Questioned as to the Western
Federation.
THE PROCEEDINGS YESTERDAY
Witness Entered a Blanket Denial to
All the Allegations Of
Harry Orchard.


Meyer was called to the stand in the Hay
wood case when court met this morning
Before the cross-examination Of Meyer
was begun. Mr.. barrow of the defense Of
fered in evidence a letter by John Muir
ply of Denver. general counsel of the Fed
Grafton, to the local union at Silver City,
Idaho at the time the matter OF securing
counsel for Harry Orchard was under con-
sideration. The state objected and was
sustained. Mr.. Darrow then read several
extracts from the constitution of the West
ern Federation of Miners which was ad-
mitted in evidence yesterday.
Taking up the cross-eXamnation Of
Meyer, Senator Rorah first inquired as to
where the real power OF the organization
between conventions existed. Meyer said
it rested in the executive board, the presi-
dent and the secretary treasurer. He has
been active or ex-offlcio member Of the
executive board ever since 1899. AT the
recent convention of the federation in
alleged accomplice of Harry Orchard, who
has never been apprehended. was con-
tinued in office as member of the execu-
tive board for Idaho, an alternate being
appointed to take up his duties
Meyer was very deliberate in his replies
again today, evidently weighing his an
swers carefully in his mind before making
them. He said he was living at Deadwood
S. D., during the Occur d Alene troubles of
1899. but became acquainted with many of
the members from that district at the Salt
Lake convention OF that year. He also
learned of Gov. Steunenberg's part in the
strike. Jack Simpkins was one of the men
Meyer met at the convention. He heard
Simpkins tell of the indignities he suffered
in the Idaho bull pen," and knew what his
feelings were.
Questioned Closely.
Senator Borah questioned the witness
closely to the extent of the rule of the
federation to defend any of it's members
accused of crime. Meyer declared that no
man was defended unless the executive
board decided his arrest had some connec-
ton with the Western Federation of
Miners.
If a memoer of the federation should
kill a man on the streets OF Boise you
would not defend MIN unless you felt the
federation was in some way involved in the
anair?' suggested Borah.
THAT is my und erstanding,' was the re
ply. We would defend any one whose act
tet was due to his connection with the
Western Federation Of Miners. '..,.; :
You don't hold it out nducement
to members that the federation Will defend
them for any crime committed, do your
No, sir
Senator Borah next inquired as to Petit
bones relations to the Western Federation
of Miners. Pettibone was not an active
member but when his business permitted.
would attend conventions and would come
to headquarters. He was good friend of
the organization, and ready to assist in
any way he could. He has often bought
furniture and other supplies for the organ
ization and for its members
Meyer declared he had never heard of
Orchards enmity toward Gov. Steunenberg
until the present trial started. Senator
Borah had the witness tell again of Or
cnard's activities in helping the federation
officials and attorneys in the alleged train
wrecking case at Cripple Creek.
You knew him as Orchard and as an
active member Of the organization? sug
ges;ed Senator Borah.
Yes, sir.
Was Meyers Bodyguard.
AS to Orchards accompanying him to
Ouray. Meyer said he had intended hiring
d bodyguard until Orchard happened to
drop in and say that he going to
Ouray on his way to Silver City. The two
were on the train together for day and a
night and talked very generally about their
expenses in different mining districts. There
was some discussion OF Steunenberg, Or
chard comparing the acts Of ldahos gov
ernor to those OF Gov. Peabody of Colorado.
Orchard also told of having had an interest
in the Hercules mine, but did not say he
had lost that Interest because Of Gov.
Steunenberg. He always said 1t was be-
of troubles in the Coeud d'Alenes."
Meyer repeated his statement of yester-
day that from the time Of his arrest in
Ouray in April. 1904, until June %, 1885, he
had not seen Orchard.
You are sure Of this?" questioned Sem
ator Borah.
Il am willing to say so under oath, SEN
ator.''
Outside of Offering a reward of 5000 the
Western Federation of Miners Meyer said.
did nothing toward ferret!ng out the par
ties responsible for the Independence depot
explosion.
The witness read in the papers that Or
chard and Johnny Neville were suspected Of
the crime.
Yesterdays Session.
Charles Meyer, one OF the codefendants
occupied the stand much of yesterday aft
ernoon.
Besides making positive denial Of all
the crimes attributed to him and the other
federation leaders by Harry Orchard, Moy-
er offered an explanation of the unsolicited
appearance of the Western Federation of
Miners as the defender Of Harry Orchard
we'll for the murder of Steunenberg.
Mover swore that 1t was Jack Simp
kins who engaged Fred Miller at Spokane
to go to Caldwell to represent Orchard.
then known as Thomas Hogan. and that it
was at the request of Simpkins that Meyer
and Haywood subsequently, advanced
81 500 from the funds Of the federation to
meet the expense of defending Orchard.
At various stages OF the recital the defense
offered In evidence number of documents.
including Observation-Disclosures cipher
telegram which Simpkins sent to federation
headquarters and the union at Silver City,
covering the moves to protect the fedora
ton, which was charged with the assassina-
ton of Steunenberg a few days after the
former governor was slain.
Meyer began by saying that he got his
first knowledge of the crime from the Den
yer newspapers. and that the evening of
January 4. five days after the crime. tele-
gram in the federations cipher came to
Haywood from Spokane. 1t was long and
the translation was difficult and uncertain
but he and Haywood figured the next day
that it was signed by Simpktns and read ::
Cannot get lawyer to defend Hogan
Answer"
Orchard Wanted Money.
Meyer testified that he was suspicious
about the message, the newspapers having
already charged the crime to the fedora tion