The Sentinel=record., 1914-02-18
MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE PROB. ING COPPER STRIKE Dls-
 AGREE AS TO EVIDENCE.
TAYLOF TO ADMIT HERESAY
Switzer, Republican, Seeks to Have That Class of Testimony Expunged from the Record-Sharp Exchange of Words Follows the Motion.


 Taylor, democrat, today refused to entertain the motion of Representa- tive Switzer, a republican, that hear say testimony presented by striking miners regarding alleged violations of constitutional rights of citizens be ex- punged from the record.
 Debate on the question grew acri- monious. MT. Taylor charged that Mir Switzer was attempting to dis credit the work of the committee by taking the position that it had no ton.
 You can object as much as you please" MT. Taylor exclaimed, but if you object to an investigation of the conditions here you ought not to be Il this committee"
 MT. Switzer denied he objected to an investigation but he insisted that d limit should be fixed so that every thing offered would not be admitted into the record.
 As chairman of this committee, representing the democratic majority in the house." Mir. Taylor said, "l will say that anything that goes into the record will go back to congress. We were sent here tc investigate, coi.- ditions with a view of providing re- medial legislation and if we cut out anything that might throw light on the situation we would be severely criticized"
 Do l understand you to say that this is a partisan committee and this is a partisan investigation? inquir- ed Representative Howell, the other republican member.
 No" the chairman replied, but when a minority member tries to dis credit the committee by saying it is exceeding it's proper limits it is time for the majority to take decisive ac- tion."
 Mir. Howell said the experience of centuries had shown that the rules of evidence afford the best means of conducting an investigation of this character"
 "Mr Switzer has right to ask to have anything stricken out Mir. Fay Tor said, "and his objection wiIl ap- pear in the record"
 Should it not be stricken out be- cause l ask it?" Mir. Switzer asked.
 No was the reply
 The discussion arose while Wain@ Wyreno, a striker, was giving testi- mony as to a raid in which members of the Citizens Alliance acting as a sheriffs posse raided the Western Federation of Miners headquarters at South Range, after the shooting of A deputy sheeriff. who had been search ing for arms. The witness said he was beaten by a man described by others as deputy sheriff. MT. Switzer asked that this testimony be stricken out because the witness per sonally did not know his assailant was a deputy.
 Allan F. Rees, a mining company attorney, said assaults and violations of personal rights were in the prov ince of the state and that the federal authorities had no jurisdiction.
 Do you think if We find that for a period of six months" MT. Taylor asked, "a condition of outlawry has existed here and we discover that there has been violation of individ- ual rights We cannot report it to con. gress."
 "Yes," M-. Rees replied, eff there has been no specific violation of the constitutional or federal statutes. Mir. Howell remarked that counsel seemed to agree that the committee had authority to investigate the indus trial situation here and he asked if 1 1t was not as important to congress to know something about the admin istration of justice,
 MT. Rees said he was not prepared to argue the point but he thought congress should be informed On this subject through the federal courts.
 Former Congressman Victor Berger of Milwaukee appeared before the committee today as a member of the executive committee of the socialist party and denied that socialism Wan responsible for tue strike.