The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-04-25
ANSWERS HIS CRITICS
observation-disclosures Meyer and
KaywOOdUnd sirableCitizeaS
NOT TRYING TO GEORGE COURT
Mr.. Roosevelt Says Accused Labor
Leaders Stand as Representatives
of Those Who Invite sloodshed and


Leaders Stand as Representatives
of Those Who Invite sloOdshed and
Violence.
Washington. April 24--In a letter
addressed to Honore Jaxon. of Chi
Cago. chairman of the Cook County
Meyer. Haywood Conference" Prcsi-
dent Roosevelt replied to the criticisms
Of his recent letter in which he re-
ferred to Meyer and Haywood. OIL
Gals OF the Western Federation OF
Miners. charged with implication in
the murder Of Former Governor
Steunenberg. OF Idaho. as "undesir-
able citizens" The president says he
regrets any body of men should so far
forget their duty to their country as
To. by formation of societies and IN
other ways. cndeavor to influence JUS
lice and c0erce court or jury; that
they. not he. are trying to influence
Justice and ne condemns what he calls
their fragrant improperly in the mat
ter. lie says that he indicated no
opinion as TO their guilt of the Steun-
enberg murder. but that it was sim
ple absurdlty TO suppose that because
n man is on trial he is free from crit
cism as to his manner of life. He SAID
he might as we'll be accused of trying
to influence the suits against HART
man some of whose friends had also
criticised him. He said that Meyer
and Haywood stand as representatives
of those who habitually appear as
guilty Of Indictment TO or apology for
hloodshcd and violence. lie added
that he was profoundly Indifferent 10
the condemnation OF him for his crit
cisms OF the undesirable types of c't'-
2cns. regardles, of the power OF either
labor or capital
After saying he did not express an
opiuion as 90 whether MoyeR and Hay
wood were guilty the president SAYS
"Rut no possible outcome either OF
the trial or the suits can affect my
Judgment as 10 the undesirability of
/ mentioned. Messrs. Meyer Haywood
and Dchs stand as representatives O.
those men who have done as much 10
discredit the labor movement as the
worst speculative fnanciers or most
unscrupulous employers Of labor and
dobauchers of legislatures have done
10 discredit honest capitalists and fair
dealing business men.
"They stand as the representatives,
of those men who by their public ut
terances and manifestoes by the ut
terances OF The papers they control or
inspire. and by the words and deeds
of those associated with them. habit
uany appear as guilty OF Indictment To
or apology for bloodshed and violence.
III this does not constitute unde-
s'rable citizenship then there can
never be any undesirable citizens. the
men whom ! denounce represent the
men who have abandoned that legiti-
mate movement Tor the uplifting OF
labor with which I have the most
hearty sympathy: they have adopted
Dractices which cut them on from
those who lead this legitimate move
ment. In every way | shall support
the abiding and upright representa-
tives of labor. and in no way can ]
better support them than by drawing
the sharpest possible line between
them on the one hand and on the other
hand those preachers of violence who
are themselves the worst foes of the
honest laboring man.
You say YOU ASA for a square deal
for Messrs. Mover and Haywood. So
DO l. When / say square deal ! mean
q square deal to every one; il is
equally a violation OF the policy OF the
SQUARE deal for a capitalist to protest
against denunCiation Of a capitalist
who is guilty of wrongdoing and 10.
labor leader to protest against the
denunciation Of a labor leader who has
been guilty OF wrongdoing. ! stand
for equal Justice 10 both. and so FAR
as in my power lies shall uphold JUS
tice. whether the man accused of guilt
has behind him the wealthiest cor
porations. the greatest aggregauons
Of riches in the country. or whether he
has behind him the most Influential!
labor organization in the country