Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-03
AS A RELIEF FUND
Disposal of Money Raised for
McNamaras' Defense.
UNION LABOR SUGGESTION
Donation to Widows and Orphans Of
Explosion Victims.

Backed by the hearty support Of men
prominent in the local unions, a move
ment has been inaugurated among the
labor men of the city for turning over
the remainder Of the sum raised for the
defense of the Mcnamara brothers to
the relief of the widows and orphans Of
the victims of the Los Angeles Times
disaster.
This movement is voiced by labor men
in different sections Of the country, who
are stirring sentiment among the men,
bers generally that the fund be devoted
either to this purpose or be turned over
to the state of California as a reim-
bursement in part Of its expenses in
prosecuting the case against the Nc
Namara brothers.
It was Howard r. Taylor Of Local No.
of the Pressmens Union who first,
publicly, advocated the relief plan in
Washington, and his proposal that the
fund be turned over to the families Of
the victims of the disaster in which twen-
ty-one persons met their death was
warmly supported b tn by officers and
members of the various unions.
Frank Morrison. secretary Of the
American Federation Of Labor and, with
the exception of Samuel Gompers, p esl-
dent, the prime worker in raising funds
for the defense of the accused labor lead
ers, does not look with disfavor upon this
plan, although he prefers to wait until
the committee on ways and means in the
Mcnamara case meets early next week.
Amount of Fund Estimated.
Just how much money there is in the
treasury of the fund at the present mo-
ment," said Mr.. Morrison last night, to
Star reporter, Il do not know, but 1t
is in the whereabouts Of 100000. Out OF
this sum must be paid the fee for At
torney Darrow, which will be very large
amount. Besides this, fees must be paid
to the several other attorneys who were
engaged to defend the McNamaras, be-
sides the numerous incidental expenses
which count up considerably.
II cannot say how much there will be
left over after the lawyers fees and the
other expenses Of the defense are paid.
but the sum will not be large one. As
a member of the committee which under
took to raise the money tor this defense
I do not feel at liberty to say at this
time what disposition should be made OF
the money"
Personally, 1 believe that all the
money that is left over and above the
actual expenses should be turned over
to the international unions whence most
of it came. 1t will be safe to say that
the international unions raised eight
tenths of the total sum. This money.
1 think. should be returned to them
with the understanding that they do
with it as they see tit. II they think
best to donate it toward the support
of the widows and orphans of the vic
tins Of the disaster. well and good:
I for one think that the disposition Of
the money lies In their own judgment.
Il do not believe that the committee
right to choose the disposition OF 1t. now
that the defense of the McNamaras is
ended. The suggestion that 1t be turned
over to the families OF the victims is a
worthy one and should meet with gen.
eral approval but in this matter 1t is not
for me to say what is best to be done
with the fund. It Is for the international
unions to decide -
Approved by President Roberts.
The suggestion Of turning the re-
mainder Of the money raised for the
defense Of the McNamaras over to the
families OF the victims was approved
by F. c. Roberts, president OF the Ty-