New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-11
MOYER on THE STAND.
lf4KES BLANKET DENIAL.
Erpianatioa Of Federation's Defence
Of Orchard.

Boise. Idaho. July 10--Charles H. Meyer,
riesideni of the Western Federation of Miners,
who. with William j Haywood, secretary
treasurer Of the federation. is charged with con
eriracy 10 murder former Governor Frank
SteuucnbcIg Of Idaho, went on the stand in the
HAYWOOD trial today as a witness for the de-
fence Besides making a positive denial of all
tie crimes attributed 10 him and the other feder
alton leaders by Harry Orchard, AIoyer offered
IN explanation # the unsolicited appearance #
tho Western Federation OF Miners the de-
fender Of Harry Orchard Immediately after or
oliard's arrest at Caldwell for the murder #
S-ounenherg.
Meyer swoIe that it Jack Simpkins who
Engaged Fred" Miller at Spokane to go TO Cald-
well 70 represent Orchard. then known
Thomas Hogan. and that il At the request
cf Simpkins that Mover and Haywood suhse-
c.eutlY advanced Loo from the funds of the
federation 20 meet the expense Of defending
orchard. AT various stages OF the recital the
defence offered in evidence a number of docu-
,nents including heretofore undisclosed cipher
telegram which Simpkins sent TO federation
headquarters and the union at Silver city, COW
ering the moves TO protect the federation which
was charged with the assassination of Steunen-
berg few days after the former Governor was
slain.
Mover began by saying that he got his first
knowledge of the crime from the Denver news
,,aDers and that the evening of January 4.
five days after the crime, a telegram in the
federaton's cipher came to Haywood from Spo-
kane II was long and the translation was diff
cult and uncertain, but he and Haywood figured
the next day that st was signed by Simpkins
and read: Cannot get lawyer TO defend
Hogan. Answer"
Mover testified that he suspicious about
the message. the newspapers having already
charged the crime TO the federation. and that he
decided to consult John Murphy, general counsel
for the federation. before he tosk any steps
Meyer said he started for Chicago that after
noon, but that Haywood took up the case ana
opened communication with the union at Silver
CITY and made arrangements TO engage John
Nugent TO look after the interest of the fedora
tiou and defend Orchard if necessary. The de-
fence produced copies Of this correspondence anu
It was read into the record.
Continuing Moyar said that Miller came to
Denver about February /. bringing with him
the record OF Orchards preliminary hearing.
Miller went % Denver at the suggestion OF
SlmpKins so the witness testified, and brought
a request from Simpkins that the federation
furnish the large amount Of money that would
be needed 70 defend Orchard. Meyer said that
he and Haywood conferred with Murphy ard
Miller and subsequently gave Miller Sl.oG0-
Mover denied that he had ever discussed any
kind OF criminal act with Orchard, or any one
else or that he had ever given Orchard cent,
except for expenses on the trip Orchard made
10 Ouray as a bodyguard for Meyer. The wit
ness said that he had no personal feeling or
hostility for Steunenberg and there were no cir
cunstances that would make him desire the
life Of John Neville. whom Orchard testified
Mover wanted killed. Mover said that Neville
came to him after his arrest for alleged COM
piicitv IN the Independence station explosion
and asked that the federation give him $500 to
reimburse him for the expense that he had in
Cured in clearing himself, but that this request
refused