The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-05-24

Charles Town, W. Va. May 2".-tbY
Tho Associated Press. Questions ana
answers comment and retort, cracked
across the few feet that separated VIZ
nesses and crosS-cxaminers during the
closing hours Of the session IN circuit
court today. until the crowd that pack
ed the room, took on much more tnAh
the air Of spectators at a thrililhB
sDorting contest than observers OF
trial Of the grave charge OF treason
pending against William Blizzard.
pav,d Fowler. Scranton, member or
the Penn sylvanja legislature and In
terrat!onal representative Of the Cnlted
Mine Workers uf America, in the VIII
ness chair nearly on level with the
judges bench and just above the jury
box, leaned forward. alert 10 every veer-
ing of the thrusts Of verbal sparrinG
from A NJ. Belchcr. Charleston at
torncy, WHO as associate Of the prose-
cutting attorney OF Logan county has
had virtual charge of the case against
Blizzard.
Matching Of wits.
Leaving Fowlers direct testimony Ear
behind in the matching of wits. 1t was
martial law In Mingo county. where
Fowler had charge Of the union work
for 4 time, that started the rapid-frs
Interchange. From that 1t turned easily
To the armed march Of miners last
summer to stop which Fowler had tes-
tilted he added his efforts to those OF
Inc district and other International
Union officials.
Mr.. Belcher asked II Philip Murray.
international y!cc-president OF the union
who was assisting the district officials,
had not opposed martial law In Mingo
county. enforcement Of which the state
claims tie marchers intended to over
throw.
"I'm "pr answering for Mr.. Murray.
I myself vas opposed TO il" was tho
reply.
And YOU do now" continued the at
torney, getting the retort, Yes, and 50
does every other good American citizen"
Fought for BIS Country.
Then as the qucs tioning turned TO
the activities of the march. the witness
said he did not know about them. Asked
II there was not a real war in Logan
when he got there. Fowler countered
with, Il don't know what loud call
real war"
what would YOU" the attorney shot
back, and the witness leaned forward az
He said. Il happened 10 be in one once.
and fought honorably for the stars and
stripes and for Uncle Sam"
And what were these men fighting
for" Mr.. Belohed insisted.
Against the private armies Of the
Goa! companies" was the answer, Fow-
Ter adding n response 10 questioning
as - wheth"r the opposing forces were
not state troops that he did no: 'SircS
NHG that !" did care, and did not want
me tate government 10 take part with
''prIvate armies"
Pat you're a citizen of Pennsyi-
yania." said Mr.. Rcioher
"T"3 ard I'm proud Of il" was tho
answer.
Asked y army "rf.r"'~ nai n"i told
him the union lcni, ., ."uiI he held
responsible for ;.hc .,'i: II their men.
after the troops wcrr brought in. Mr..
Fowler denied this and continued
General Bandholtz told me 'Tf this
can be brought about peacably we will
20; bring IN the troops. Mr.. Murray had
a conference that night with General
and It was that night they wired for
the troops"
Bomb Didn't Grow There
He insisted he did not consider from
an organiza ton standpoint" that the
presidential proclamation calling on the
men to d!2pcrse had been violated. but
said he did not know what the men on
the line were doing.
The only evidence OF any fighting
| saw" he went on. was the operators
a!rplanes dropping bombs" He had not
seer any bombs dropped, he conceded.
but saw one that had been dropped.
To the question: How do you know
(, was dropped?" he returned il voice
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