Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-24
CALLS|T AN0UTRAGE
President Gomperss Denounces
McNamara'S Arrest.
|SAYS HE WAS KIDNAPPED
Criticises Gov. Marshall's Grant of
Requisition.

declaring that the arrest of John j..
Mcnamara, international secretary Of the
Bridge and Structural Iron Workers OF
America, at Indianapolis, Saturday night,
on the charge Of completely in the dyna-
mite explosion at Los Angeles, Cal.
which wrecked the Daily Times building
and killed more than twenty persons,
was grossly outrageous kidnapping and
a plot Of the enemies of organized labor
and the money interests to destroy labor
unions, Samuel Gompers, president Of the
American Federation of Labor, sharply
criticised the action Of Gov. Marshall Of
Indiana in granting requisition to the
California officers for McNamara's sur
render in what he claimed was a hur-
ried and unceremonious manner. Mr..
Gompers asserted that the states, in the
exercise Of their police powers, are as
foreign to one another as are foreign
countries. and that no country would
think Of giving up citizen on mere de-
mand Of another country without hearing.
Spirited Away, Says Gompers.
How long are the American people
going to stand for kidnaping?" asked
Mr.. Gompers. "McNamara was spirited
away without giving him the slightest
chance to give prima facie evidence of
his innocence. taken from his own home
and state without aid of friends or at.
torneys. The stage was all set, the prop
critics arranged carefully and then up
went the curtain with blare of trumpets
upon the first act Of q tragedy contem-
plating the assassination OF organized
labor.
ut might Just az we'll be McNamara
as another. The whole affair smacks of
Of corporate wealth are always trying to
crush the organised labor movement and
they used the best way-to strike At the
men having the confidence OF the work.
ing people. MCNAMARA has had = hard
fight against the huge steel bridge build
ing interests with their many millions.
but has done good work. The federation
has aided his union in every way. No
union has been more bitterly attacked -
Mr.. Gompers said he could not an
nounce what may be done in the defense
Of the men arrested at Indianapolis or
whether the federation will give its aid.
but that In the meantime he had utmost
confidence In their innocence.
Secretary Morrison Indignant.
Frank Morrison. secretary Of the
American Federation Of Labor, makes
the following statement:
II do not believe John j. McNamara,
secretary Of the Bridge and Structural
Iron Workers Union, has ever had any
connection whatsoever with the Los
Angeles Times catastrophe or the de-
struction Of property at any time.
The forcible abduction of Mr.. Nc
Namara from Indianapolis without ac-
cording him an opportunity for hear
ing upon the charge made against him
condemnation by all citizens who hon
estly desire that every man. woman
and child should receive equal con-
sideration and protection by the off,
GERS OF the state. High handed pro-
cedure should not be permitted merely
because those making the arrest as
Sert they have sufficient evidence to
convict, for II they really haye such
evidence they could easily convince the
proper officers at hearing and thus
q legal and lawful way.
Called Trick Of Opponents.
Labor has been bitterly fought alons
the western coast, and because we have
been winning out, all sorts Of tricks have
been resorted to by our opponents. There
is no doubt in my mind that this is an
other one. 1t is an Infamous outrage and
will be resented by every member Of the
unions In the United States.
There is nothing to show that Nc
Namara has ever been to Los Angeles
yet he Is charged with completely in a
crime that killed twenty lone men, among
them union men. The suspicion of COM
plicity is based on the fact that he held
meetings with James B. McNamara, his
brother, who is accused of having had
Internal machines in his possession"
William J. Spencer, secretary of the
building trades department of the fed
Grafton in this city, also characterized
the arrest as a direct attempt to discredit
the organization of unions.