Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-12-05
1T is good thing to learn eau
tion by the misfortunes Of others. P"
-Publius Syrius.
McNAMARAs CONFESSIONS.

Unparalleled IN its frankness
widespread in its scope, and fore
shadowing in its possible results the
confessions Of the Mcnamara
brothers, accused of the Los Angeles
dynamiting horror came last week
like a clap of thunder out of clear
sky and has set the whole world talk
ing. 1t appears that at last the au-
thorites are in fair way to discover
the real culprits behind this affair,
and law-abiding people sincerely
hope that every man who has been
instrumental in the work of destruc-
tion during the past four or five
years, will be wiped out root and
branch.
The attention of the nation has
been directed toward Los Angeles
since that memorable morning when
the wires first carried to an as
founded world, the message of the
destruction of the Los Angeles
Times building and the murder of q
innocent persons.
The public generally has kept it.
self pretty well informed upon the
matter, and probably seven-tenths of
the people were pretty well fixed in
their minds as to the guilt or innO-
cence of the men charged with the
crime. Since the trial has begun,
interest was intensified and each day
the news from Los Angeles was
scanned with renewed vigor. It was
noted that the defense was fighting
every inch of the way and thus the
unlooked-for admission of guilt from
the defendants was all the more
startling.
Since the day when the news first
told of the arrest of the MeNamaras |
in Indiana, the authorities instru-
mental in their apprehension have
been subjected to the vilest criticism
from misguided labor leaders and
sympathizers throughout the country.
In every instance it was declared
that the men were entirely innocent,
and that the charges against them
had been manufactured by the Burns
detective agency at the instance of
the structural iron companies of the
country, who were fighting for an
open shop. Every man who dared
raise his voice in defense of the pros
ecution was at once branded as an
enemy of labor" and subjected to
the vilest of abuse. Thousands of
men paraded up and down the streets
of the cities demanding fair play for
The MeNamaras, and an immense
sum was raised to assist in their de-
fense.
All this was right and proper so ;
FAR as it sought to carry the idea
hat the men should be held innocent
until proven guilty. But, in the dee
aration that the men were being
'railroaded to the gallows" by the 5
interests" the misled agitators Of 3
organized labor made their greatest :
mistake. They no doubt see il now. 5
The writer has been member Of :
'rganized labor since 1850. He be- 8
ieves IN 1t as an abstract PROPOSE Z
ION. The theory which underlies all ,
mon labor, or upon which it was )
Inst founded, Is right. But agitators 8
nd radicals who have found an abid- Z
ng place within its ranks have =
'roven the greatest burden that or :
anized labor has had to carry. Or :
anized labor cannot succeed. nor >
onld II have attained the seeurs 3
lace It has obtained without the Z
ioral support Of the great mass Of Z
be people. The attitude Of the sri- ;
aios who, in nearly every instance. :
ontroiled the deliberations Of the :
iherent labor unions on the Ne Z
amara ease, was un-Ameriean and =