The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-11

therefore there was nc inference UNSUITABLE
that the federation had any motive for
revengeful acts. The jury was withdrawn
that MIR. barrow might argue the point.
He made a full statement OF what the de-
fence maintains were the political oondi-
tons Of the time and which he said Tierney
would testify to. When he had finished
senator borah declared that this evidence
would be immaterial and Judge Wood
sustained his contention.
"Ras" Beemer won't o In the yard and
told the jurors, and they left on pitching
Guoiss and tramped back into the court
room.
Call Mr.. Meyer said Lawyer Richard
Bon and the accused president OF the West
ern Federation of Miners walked in behind
a deputy sheriff and took the oath.
Where are you hving2" asked Lawyer
barrow at the startoff.
I've been living in Boise for about six
teen months" said Meyer soberly. He has
been locked up In the county Jail for Just
that length of time. The labor leader first
told of the places where he had worked in the
Dakotas. and said he had been president Of
the Western Federation since 1897. He
first met Haywood in 1900 at a convention in
Denver. The witness described at length
the duties Of the president of the federation,
and said also tina he was an Ode Fellow and
~ WOouIlan OF the world, Doin OF WHICH
organizations he Joined long before he be-
came a member of the federation.
A copy of the federation's constitution
was offered in evidence and admitted.
Meyer said the federation had never
tried 10 organize coal miners. but that they
were eligible for membership. The fedora
lions locals now extended from California
10 the Dakotas and from Alaska TO Mexico.
The membership was %. OCO when he was
elected, about 5000 when he came to Boise,
and he Thought about 10000 at present.
is there any power in the central board
to call a strike?" asked barrow.
NO. sir" was the reply. The local
unlon only may do that by a two-thirds
vote. Unless the strike is endorsed by the
executive board the general organization
il not bound TO take charge of or assist in
RUNNING the strike"
Meyer went on to say that the federation
had made IL a general rule TO defend all its
Members that were accused of crime. They
hnd defended a great many and COMPARE
lively few had been convicted. This evil
sehoe was apparently designed to explain
why Fred Miller, a Spokane lawyer for the
federation, on his own initiative. tele-
graphed Orchard that he was coming to
Caldwell TO assist him after his arrest.
Meyer said that while he was a member of
the federation in 1899, when the Cpur
dAlenes strike was on. he had no part in
the running OF that strike, still he was in
Jhht"thy va tho btiAhtlbs
Q. Md you know Gov. Steunenberg? A..
No. sir.
q. Ever see him? A. No, sir.
u. Ever have any personal hostility against
hlmI A. No, sir. none at all.
That brought Darrow down TO the troubles
Of Cripple Creek, which began with the
strike Of the smelter men at Corolado City.
This was pr~ecipitated, the witness said. by
the refusal of the smelter employees to let
their men join the federation. Meyer
proceeded to outline the principal dates of
the big Cripple Creek strikes and said that
the local officials of all he towns in the
protested against calling out the
militia. but he neglected to add that the
unions were at that time in complete con-
troll Of the local political situation and that
all, or nearly all, OF the local officials were
elected by union votes and many of them
were actually federation members.
Meyer then told OF going to Cripple Creek
in August. 1908. to attend a picnic and advise
the leaders how to conduct the strike.
He made a speech. saying that it was the
duty OF the local miner to assist the strikers
at Colorado City by not working in mines
hat sent ore to the Colorado City mills.
He further counselled the union men against
violence.
Coming Town TO murderers, Meyer said
he first met Steve Adams on August Is,
1903. at the same picnic at which he had
made the speech just referred to. Steve.
il appears. was one of the merry villagers
on that occasion and was serving lemonade
at one OF the stands. Meyer drank some
lemonade and he said itIwas first rate.
ANY beer?" asked Mr.. barrow.
~Oh, no" said Meyer promptly, only
soft drinks"
"When lie you first meet Harry 0rchard?"
In January, 1904, in Denver, at federation
headquarters" He said Orchard had come
as a delegate to a labor convention, repre-
- eS H. Al.aa Il =. IW---N-
district. The witness couldn't remember
any talk with Orchard at that time. He
denied that Orchard had ever told him
of blowing up the indicator mine or that
he had ever given Orchard money for do
ing that or any other job. He never talked
with Orchard and Easterly or with Orchard
alone about any crime of violence.
In February, 1904, Meyer said, he went to
Cripple Creek to attend the train wrecking
trial. and on that occasion met Orchard
again. All the labor men arrested for the
train wrecking were acquitted save one,
and he was never brought to trial. Orchard
was at the trial every day and was assisting
the defence in getting witnesses.
He appeared very willing and did assist
considerably in preparing the case" said
Meyer. Il met him almost every day
during that trial and so became fairly well
with him"
did you ever tell Orchard to tell the at
in that case 10 leave out any mem
ton of Pettibone dope?"
mo, sir; at that time | did not know
anything about Pettibone dope. think
first saw that expression in a Boise news
paper after l vas arrested and brought TO
Orchards next appearance on Meyers
horizon, according to the witness, was
about March 20, 1904. Orchard and others
said to Meyer that they had left Cripple
Creek and asked him where would be- a
good place to work. Orchard referred to
Bisbee, Ariz., and some places in Colorado.
Next day he came TO headquarters and
told Meyer he would go to Silverton.
Il told him. said Meyer, that I was
going to Ouray on the sd and il he was
in no hurry / would like him to wait
and 90 with me. l told him that some
union miners had been beaten up there
and that l would like him to go with me
to protect me il l vas attacked. He said
a day or W made no difference to him
and that he would wait
Anything said about firearms2'
Yes, sir; he said he had a revolver.
I said I would get a t~akedown shotgun