Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-02
OUTRAGE ON LABOR
Union Leaders 0utspoken in
Oenouncing McNamaras.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CALL
Gompers Says Matter Will Be Taken
Up at Washington Meeting.
BELIEVED IN THEIR INNOCENCE
1--WE Were Grossly Deceived, But
Unionism Will Not Suffer-" Says
Head of A. F. i.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CALL
BELIEVED IN THEIR INNOCENCE

TROY, N. Y, December 2.-That the
confession of the McNamara brothers will
be considered at a meeting Of the eXecu-
tive council OF the American Federation
Of Labor at Washington January 8
next was the opinion expressed to-
day by President samuel Gompers,
who came here from New York to-
day to attend a meeting OF the state
commission. which is Investigating factory
conditions I'm first and second class cities.
He is a member OF the commission under
appointment of Gov. Dix.
The executive council is composed Of
President Gompers. eight vice presidents.
treasurer and secretary. Mr.. Gompers
plans to return to New York tomorrow
and to Washington Tuesday.
Labor Greatly Deceived"
Mr.. Gompers. who had passed a rest
less night appeared to be extremely nerv-
Gus, whenever he referred to the sem
sational end Of the Mcnamara trial.
Labor was grossly deceived" said Mr..
Gompers with considerable emotion.
only a few days ago. and just before
the close of the recent convention Of the
American Federation of Labor at At
lanta, we received telegram from the
MoNamaras thanking the labor unions
Of this country for their confidence and
help in their humiliation.
THE assumption is that the labor
unions will suffer as a result of the con-
fession, but / don't think they will, even
II 1t will do them no good. OF course we
stand for evolution rather than revolu-
ton; we stand for peace and the uplift
OF men rather than violence and brutal
tty. No cause is advanced when violence
Is resorted to, but the severest criticism
that can be made against us, meaning the
federation, is that we had faith in the
men who were accused of the crime.
Shock to Leaders.
innocence as a fact. Think OF those tele-
grams declaring that they were falsely
accused and expressing the confidence
that they would be adjudged innocent.
When men proclaim on their honor that
they are innocent one day and twenty
four hours later plead guilty. to a crime
OF the character OF this, would 1t not
unsettle any man Interested in our
cause?
/ I'VE went to work and assembled q
fund of $4,000 to defend them, and we
engaged the highest types OF men, moral
" and mentally, to appear for them.
Take Clarence Darrow. He gave up his
business in Chicago. closed his office and
his home and went to California to free
plete innocence. Then this Information
comes that they are guilty and admitted
by their own tongue. -,
/ ''If this was crime against society 1t
would be different: then 1t would be rev.
olution, but 1t is an attack on the business
men to think that the labor unions have
-duped them.
mo one likes this and it would be bet
ter for US were 1t against society.
Declared He Was Innocent.
"When I made my trip to the Pacific
coast went to see them, as naturally I
would. saw big John, and, taking me by
the hand, he said: Sam, tell the boys
that am innocent. Give them this mes
sage from me. and tell them how CRATE
full We are for their assistance
He looked at me frankly and openly,
and I believed what he had said, and did
convey his greeting as requested.
when l got there the first thing he
did was to give me card receiver: one
that Is made by passing Cancelled stamps
or bits of cigar bands on the bottom Of
a glass plate. In the center of 1t was
my picture. have 1t at my home now.
Il left there believing in the innocence
Of hi mand his brother. and was among
those who expected that at the trial they
would be cleared.
This was long before the Atlanta con-
vention, and when more assurance came
from them, as It did at this meeting, why
wouldn't 1t be disquietng, when to the
world they admit their guilt? 1t was an
imposition, and one that 1t is difficult to
sustain.
LAS to Detective Burns, I don't want to
consider him. He has nothing to do with
us, and that is all there is to that"