The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-11
MOYER IS ALL IN.
Cross Examination Of the
Miners Federation President
Concluded at Morning Session
of the Haywood Trial.
STUCK TO HIS STORY.
Senator BOrah Failed to Con-
fuse the Witness
Or Wiring From Him Any
Damaging Admission.
STUCK TO HIS STORY.

04Oy0T returned 10 lL6 NAlLSSS CLoAA a.
the Steunenberg murder trial this
morning and after the defense had Sc
cured the introduction as evidence of
portions of the ritual and constitution
of the Western Federation of Miners,
the witness passed into the hands of
the prosecution for cross-examination.
Senator Borah at once began a search
ing inquisition of the witness.
An important statement of the wit
ness was a denial of any knowledge of
the draft for 500 sent to Jack Simp-
kins nine days before Steunenberg was
killed
little more than an hour and a half.
On redirect Meyer said that Attorney
Hangs was employed by the federation
at Cripple Creek and made an inVesti-
cation of the independence explosion.
Meyer declared that he had not heard
of Simpkins since sometime in Janu-
ary, 1906. He knew where to find all
the other members of the executive
board, but could not tell where Simp-
kins was.
Both sides announced that Meyers
examination had been concluded as the
luncheon recess until 1:S0 p. m was or
dered.
letter from General Counsel John
Murphy of Denver to the secretary of
the local union at Silver City, Idaho,
was offered in evidence by Darrow as
part of the direct evidence before
the cross examination commenced.
The letter was objected to by the
state and the objection sustained.
Mr.. Darrow then read several eX-
tracts from the constitution of the
Western Federation of Miners which
was admitted in evidence yesterday.
Taking up his cross examination of
the witness, Senator Borah first in
Quired as to where the real power of
the organization, between conventions,
existed. Meyer said 1t rested in the
executive hOa rd the president and the
secretary-treasurer. He has been ac-
tive or ex-officio member of the execu-
tive board ever since 1899. AT the re-
cent convention of the Federation in
Denver, Meyer said Jack Simpkins, the
alleged accomplice of Harry Orchard,
who has never been apprehended. was
continued in office as a member of the
executive board for Idaho, an alternate
being appointed to take up his duties.
Replies Carefully Weighed.
Meyer was very deliberate in his
replies again today, evidently weigh
ing his answers carefully over 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 Governor Steunen-
bergs part in the strike. Jack Simp
kins was one of the men Meyer met
at the convention He heard Simpkins
tell of the indignities he suffered in
Idaho bull pen' and knew what his
feelings were.
Senator Borah questioned the wit
ness closely as to the extent of the
rule of the federation to defend any of
its members accused of crime. Meyer
declared that no man was defended
unless the executive board decided his
arrest had some connection with the
Western Federation of Miners.
If member of the federation
should kill man on the streets of
less you felt the federation was in
some way involved in the AFFAIR."" sug-
gested Senator Borah.
That is my understanding. We
would defend any one whose act grew
out of a strike or whose arrest we felt
was due to his connection with the
Western Federation of Miners"
You don't hold it out as an induce
ment to members that the federation
will defend them for any crime COM
mitted do your"
NO, sir
PettibOne a Good Friend.
Senator Borah next inquired as to
Pettibone's relations to the Western
Federation of Miners Pettibone was
not an active member, but when his
business permitted would attend the
conventions and would come to head
quarters He was a good friend of
the organization and ready to assist
in any way he could. He has often
bought furniture and other supplies
Tor the organization and for its MEM
bers.
Meyer declared he had never heard
of Orchards enmity toward Governor
Steunenberg until the present trial |
started. Senator Borah had the wit
ness tell again of Orchards 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 organiza-
1iOn ?" suggested Senator Borah
Yes. sir
As to Orchards accompanying him |
to Ouray, Meyer said he had intended |
hlr1ng a body guard until Orchard
happened to drop in and say that he |
was going through Ouray on his way |
10 SlIverton- The two were on the |
train together for day and night and |
talked very generally about their ex- |
per1ences IN different mining districts. !
There was some discussion of Steunen- |
berg, orchard comparing the acts of |
1dahots governor to those of Governor |
Peabody of Colorado. Orchard also |
told of having had an interest in the |
Hercules mines. but did not say he had |
lost that interest because of Governor
Steunenberg- He always said it was
because of the troubles in the Occur
D'Alenes."
Meyer repeated his statement of
yesterday that from the time of his
arrest in Ouray in April. 1904 until |
June %, 1905, he had not seen Or
chard.
Willing to Swear to 1t.
you are sure of this?" questioned |
Senator Borah.
''I am willing to say so under oath,
senator, have never seen him since"
Meyer said that Simpkins as the /