The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1907-07-18
4MOYER ON Stand
DENIES PAYING ORCHARD TO
COMMIT CRIME.
NEVER SAW sTEuNENBERG

Witness Says He Was in Joplin, Mis-
souri,, at Time of indicator
Mine Explosion.
Boise, Idaho.-Charles H. Meyer,
president of the Western Federation Of
Miners and fellow defendant of Will
liam D. Haywood in the indictment
Fl nix Steunenberg. was sworn as a
witness in behalf Of his comrade. He
was called by the defense and was es-
corted into the court by deputy sher-
if. He seemed quite self-possessed,
and as he walked to the stand looked
around the court room, apparently
seeking a glimpse Of his wife, who oc-
cupied an inconspicuous chair behind
one Of the press tables. He displayed
some nervousness as his examination
began. but within few minutes was
going very steadily in recital OF his
with the Western Fedora
Stiou of Miners. During the review of
the Occur d'Alene strike Of 1899 the
witness ss'd he was in sympathy with
the strikers in their struggle and he
never had any personal hostility for
Frank Steunenberg
In describing his duties, Meyer de-
clared that they required that he be alb
sent from Denver-plotting ground OF
the conspiracy alleged by the state
more than half the time.
The witness entered upon lengthy
examination as to the Cripple Creek
strike in 10000.
Meyer, with the utmost deliberation.
l.. iii hC
explosion at the indicator mine as de-
tailed by Orchard in his evidence. He
admitted having met Orchard in Den
yer during a labor convention in jan
uary, 1904. He had also seen him at
Cripple Creak in February, 1904, when
he became fairly well acquainted with
him. Meyer then denied that he had
given Orchard any sum of money at
any time or had any knowledge of Or
chard having been given money by any
officer of the Western Federation of
Miners. Meyer detailed his trip to
Ouray, Colorado, with Orchard in 1904.
He said Orchard was going there to
get work and Meyer suggested that
they travel together. This was for
self-protection because of attacks on
members of the organization. He de-
scribed their arrangement for carry
ing revolvers and "sawed-off shot
guns which he said were secured by
Pettibono. Orchard. Meyer said,
bought his own ticket, but Meyer paid
his expense in the hotel.
When the Haywood trial opened
Senator Borah read the cross-examina-
.tion in the deposition of w. A. Aber-
,nathy, a contractor and former miner
in the Occur d'Alenes, who declared he
hoe Orchard ha would
time.
The witness declared that his duties
as president Of the organization re-
CURED his absence from headquarters
the greater part of the time.
The territory covered by the West
ern Federation extends from Michigan
to the Pacific coast and from Alaska
to Mexico. There were $4,000 members
of the federation when Meyer was
elected in 1902. When he was ar
rested, more than year ago. there
were 10000 members, and, according
to this years report, there are more
than 10000.
Now, Mr.. Meyer. during your term
as president what has been the custom
of the organization as to defending
members Of che union who have been
charged with crime growing out of
their connection with the union. or
where the federation has been in
volved?" asked Mr.. barrow
ut has been the rule of the organi-
cation to protect It's members and the
interest of the organization where at
tacks have been made against It,"
Meyer spoke with absolute self-pos-
session. He seemed to weigh every
word of his answers
Defends Members Aawys.
HAS the organization had to defend
its members quite often?"
YES
"And have there been many convic-
tions?"
very few. considering the number
who have had charges placed against
them"
Where were you in 1899, during the
> Occur d'Alene troubles?"
"In the Black Hills of South Da-
kota."
Meyer said he did not become
member of the executive board until
the June following the troubles. He
had nothing to do with the manage
ment of the strike and no interest in
it other than as member of the Or
ganization long distance from the
scene of the troubles. After becoming
a member of the executive board he
had to vote on some matters concern
ing the latter part of the strike.
Were you in sympathy with the
men in the Occur d'Alenes?"
cirD