The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1914-02-24
Means Broadening of Scope Of
Inquiry to Include Methods
of Holding Local and State
Elections.
STATE RIGHTS ARE
INJECTED INTO CASE
Personalities Incxtricably In
terwoven With Political Ac-
tivities Which Become Bone
of Contention.
[ny Leased wire TO evening r1sraid.I ]

lRy Leased Wire 60 evening E1eraid.l
Trinidad, Colo, Feb. 2f.--A clash
over the right Of a congressional COM
mittce To inquire into charges OF cor
ruption In local and state elections,
and involving far reaching issueH OF
state and federal jurisdiction, led to-
day io the most drainatic scenes thus
far Witnessed Ia the inyntigation OF
the Colorado coal miners strike.
At the end of two hours Of wrang-
ling, in the course OF which the com
mittee once completely reversed itB
ruling on admissibility Of evidence re-
lating to alleged political corruption
in Las Animas and Hucrfano cOun-
ties. the morning session was ad-
iourned with the understanding that
such evidence, In "a limited amount
and held strictly 60 matters within
the personal knowledge OF the Wit
nesses. would be heard during the af-
ternoon.
The committee announced that dur
inE the luncheon recess Il would forf
mulatc regulations under which the
evidence would be received The final
ruling OF the committee came after
impassioned pleas by u. T.. Costigan.
attorney for the United Mine Work.
ors, and John n. Lawson and John
MoLennan. strike leaders.
Mr.. Costlgan previously had hotly
denied an imputation by Fred Her
rlngton OF counsel for the mine op-
orators that he was actuated by po-
litical motives, Mr.. Costigan having
been the candidate OF the Progressive
party for governor IN the election OF
1912.
The clash was opened early in the
morning session when the strikers put
on the stand W. A. Garner. n civil
war veteran and Colorado pioneer to
testify regarding charges OF political
corruption. There was an immediate
priest by counsel for the mine own
ers. a sharp skirmlsh between tho
attorneys ended In the announcement
that the committee would hold a
tlvc-minute executive session TO de-
eide as to the admissibility OF the evi-
dence
The nve-minute caucus lasted a half
hour. At It's conclusion the commit
teenen filed into the room. Chair
man Foster announced that the invCs-
tigutors bad decided that the charges
~ corruption in state and county
elections wc~e not within the sub
thorized 10 examine. but that any
charges of manipulation In connection
with the selection Of juries and the
prosecution Of ccurt cases would he
heard.
Instantly Mr. Costigan was on his
feet ~ wish 90 make formal state
ment to the committee" he an
nounced. "A very grave charge has
been made ia this room. saggestlns
that the introduction of evidence ro-
lating 10 political conditions is the re-
suit OF personal matters. I am au-
thori1cd by the United Mine Workers
OF America to state 10 this committee
that IA their opinion the political ac-
tiNity of the coal operators was amoug
the most important causes OF tho
strike ff elections are conducted In
such manner that men striving FOE
equality Of opportunity are denied
their legitimate aims. that certhinly
is cause for the strike.
I'VE believe that protest SHOULD
respectfully be entered against the
denial OF right 20 show this sittiH-
ton We assure the committee that
there is no partisan politics In this IN
Nesiisation. Wo are willing 20 let the
committee itself ask all the queailoas
of these witnesses ana conduct the
entire examination. 80 Important do
We consider this phase of the subject
That II the COMMITTEES will permit "a
90 call these Witnesses We viii anrea
to suspend further testimony a fnr
ah the examination in the city az