Norwich bulletin., 1911-12-08
A DenunCiatiOn
 of MCNamaras
BRANDED AS "REcREANTD BY
 AMERICAN FEDERATION.
AWAIT INVESTIGATION
Statement Declares That Destruction of Life and Property Is Foreign to
 Labor Movement-Burns Denounced

Labor Movement-Burns Denounced Washington. Dec. 7.-James B. and
 John J. McNamara are branded as "recreant to the good name and high iceaIs of labor" and the satisfaction felt by organized labor that ths ''cuI- prits have been commensurately pun tsned for their crime" is expressed in a statement issued today by the Me- Namara ways and means committee of the American Federation of Labor, aft CT two days conference. Moreover, the statement vigorously condemns the McNamaras for their 'inhumanity should not be held "either legally or morally responsible for the crimes of an individual member
 Statement Not Signed by Ryan.
 The labor leaders assert that they will welcome any investigation which either federal or state courts may un- dertake." The statement is signed by every member of the McNamara com niittee except r. NJ Ryan. president of the Structural Iron Workers union. with which the convicted Los Angeles dynamiters were prominently connected officially. MT. Ryan returned to In- dianapolfs early today.
 Compe-s Vouches for Ryan.
 Had he remained. however" said President Gompers. positively, T am sure that MT. Ryan would have added his name He was called back to In- dianapolis by pressure of business. He did not see the statement, but 1 am sure he is in hearty accord with it's sentiments.
 Had No Knowledge of McNamaras'
 Guilt
 As to their knowledge of the crime to which the McNamaras confessed, the committee in their statement as- sert: We here and now, individually and collectively, declare that the first was conveyed by the press in their confessions of guilt.
 From the outset we assured all contributors and the public generally that we would publish an accounting of the moneys received, from whom re- ceived and to whom paid. report in full will be made first to the execu- tive council Of the American Federa- ton of Labor at its meeting to be held at Washington January 8, 1912"
 Further than this, MT. Gompers would say nothing in regard to the de fense fund money.
 McNamaras' Grimes Not Condoned
 Organized labor of America" the statement continues. "has no desire to condone the crimes Of the McNamaras. It joins in the satisfaction that the majesty of the law has been matn- tained and the culprits commensurate ly punished for their crime
 The statement says, however:
 And yet it IS an awful commentary upcn existing conditions when any one man among all the. millions Of can bring himself to the frame of mind that the only means to secure justice for labor is in violence, out rage and murder.
 Organized Labor Not Responsible.
 Tt is cruelty unjust to hold the men of the labor movement either legally or morally responsible for the crimes Of an individual member. No such moral code CT legal responsibility is placed upon any other association of men in cur country.
 "In so far as we have the right to speak, in the name of organized laoor, we welcome any investigation wnlch either federal or state courts may un- dertake. The sessions of the conven- ion of the American Federation of Labor are held with open doors that all may see and hear what is being said and done. The books, accounts. and correspondence of the federation are open to any competent authority may desire to make 8. study or an investigation of them.
 The Lesson of the Crime.
 "The men or organized labor in ccm- non with all our people" the com nittee aff1rms. "are grieved beyond ex- oression in words at the loss of life l ind the destruction of property, not 1 )nly in the case under discussion but | n any other case which pay have oc- .urred. We are hurt and humiilated | o think any man connected with the | abor movement should have been gull | V of either. The lesson this grave | .rime teaches, however, will have its | effect. It will demonstrate | LOW. more than ever, the inhumanity | IS well as the futility of resorting to -ioIence in the effort to right wrongs IT to attain rights.
 Detective Burns Condemned.
 The committee criticises the kid tapping" of the McNamaras, saying | hev were arrested in Russian style, est they find high handed irregular ty and tyrannical 1awlessness' and V J. Burns, the detective in the case, 5 severely arraigned.
 Organized labor properly expressed ts condemnation of violence on hear ng of the Los Angeles disaster, It IS onttrded.
 fioIence Foreign 10 Labor Movement
 ..rhe universal condemnation of a 1urderous deed in labor circles ought 0 be fact so far beyond question:, he statement proceeds, so easily as- ertained from accessible records. that o man with any regard for his repu- ation for veracity could deny IT. brutality, destruction Of life nd property are foreign to the aims nd methods of organized labor of lmerica and no interest is more se- erely injured by the employment of uch methods than that of the work rs organized in the labor movement
 Union Men Are Loyal Americans.
 Therefore, quite apart from Ire pfrtt Of hananitarianism and justice mich prompts the activities of the rganized labor movement, policy and opes for sScaess forbid the resort to ioIence The American labor move lent and it's men are loyal Amert- ans. and seek to obtain the abolish lent of wrongs and the attainments [ their rights within the law"
 The statement is signed by Samuel president of the federation nd chairman of the committee; Frank Iorrison, secretary of the federation nd the committee, and six of the sew I remaining members of the commit e.