Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-03-07
Arthur LangoWsH Tells Con-
groSsIonaI Committee That
He Set Off Dynamite in
Colorado Coal Region,
HAD GUNS READY
TO SHOOT GUARDS
Rigid Cross Examination Fails
to Shake Story Told by
Member of United Mine
Workers of America,

Denver. Colo. March G.--Arthur
LaugowsN aged 81, sWore before the
federal strike investigating commit
tee late today that he received $3
"a day from the coal operators whno
exploding dynamite for the United
Mine workers Of America.
The youth, sharply questioned by
the committee, stoutly denied that no
was spy In the ranks OF the unlon.
although he admitted that he was
watching both sides" and receiving
pay from each party to the labor war.
angowsN testified that he was sec
rotary and treasurer Of Sopris local Of
the United Mine Workers
"They consulted me about every
thing they planned 20 do" he added.
II tried TO prevent them doing things
that would have caused loss of life.
They tried TO get me to help blow up
bridges with dynamite, but ! said,
What's the use Of trying TO dynamite
bridges where there are guards
Youll Just be found dead the next
morning with the dynamite on YOU
Txrloslons on Prairie.
$50 we decided to explode the dyna-
mite out In ihc prairie 70 scare the
guards. There were explosions In the
ncighborhood every night for six
weeks before the soldiers came.
helned pun Off seven Of these eNplo-
sions and WAS paid So or 50 each
time for my work
cone time we put four sticks OF
dynamite IN q lter 4 made a big noise
but did not do any damage or bring
the guards down whore wo could
shoot tham'
pil yeu have guns With you7"
aDfelV AR Nn4RarIuNH
"of course we had" replied the
witness.
The youth said he heard all the
plots Of the strikers and revealed
them TO MONTGOMERY Mesingale, town
marshal Of Sopris.
"Ife paid me SO a day. he added.
where did the money come
from?"
~ suppose the company furnished
A."
Pay From Both Sides
\ The witness explained that az the
same time he WAS receiving So a week
strike benefits from the union, IN ad-
dtion TO the bonuses he declared he
was paid for dynamlting.
AT "a recent union meeting heard
President Iahune. of our local, say
that as soon as this investigating
committee had gone away and the
militia had been withdrawn, strikers
would start things again"
The hoy declared he had played his
self proclaimed dual role until few
days ago when the union men said
/ was spy, and threatened 90 hang
me"
He added 'I decided / would give
them something 10 hans me for
He came 10 Denver he said to tes-
Itify before the committee. He declar-
ed there were two other men In the
Sopris local union who were dealing
with the operators or the officers of
the law.
The witness said he got a militia
man 90 come to Denver With him ana
slt in the senate chamber during his
testimony because don't want 10
get shot right here IN this ROOM
who are you afraid OFF, demand
ed ~ f. Costigan. for the miners
do you think John Lawson, here.
would shoot you?'
NO rut he might get some other
guy to do IT,
Later member of the committee
asked him II he thought when the
strike was called, that all the men
who refused to quit the mines would
get shot,
yes. / Thought they would get
shot or half shot" he replied, and
explained that by the latter term he
meant that The men would be beaten
by the strikers
Iangowsd said he went on strike
Inst September, but now expected 10
20 back 10 work IN the sopris mine OF
the Colorado Fuel a Iron Co He ad-
s,.ftf.9 fHuf ha ufn9 fVfNpInFaH "a E
N. Weltzel manager OF the fuel de-
partmoni of the company on train
when coming to Denver
Tho operators then called TO the
stand Montgomery Mesingale, now
militiaman.
lie said that after the strike was
called Arthur langowsk one day
came to him and said he wanted to
quit the union and go back TO work.
~ told him." he continued, that
though he could do more good by
staying I'm the union trying to pre-
vent crimes and telling me OF the
plans Of the strikers
Job Promised Witness.
"1 told hm that II he would do
this. ! would thy 60 secure him job
when the strike was over and would
pay him SO "a day for his services IN
giving me information"
on cross examination he said he
had furnished the money 10 pay the
expenses himself ais well as their ex-
penses. To Denver TO testify
He suppcs tho Colorado Fuel
Iron co. would reimburse him.
= A demand from Mr. Costigan fer
the names OF other secret agents he
l had employed al the expense Of the
. company, brought a vigorous oo1ee-
tlon from the witness who said he
had promised the mon that he would
not disclose their identitv The com