Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-12-08
Condemned FOR action
ORGANIZED LABOR SHOULD NOT
BE HELD MORALLY OR LIZ
GALLN RESPONSIBLE.
WELCOME AN INVESTIGATION
Committee Denies They Had Any
knowledge of the Guilt Until Nc
Namaras Plead Guilty.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.--}randlng
James B. Mcnamara and John j. Nc
Namara as "recreant to the good
name and high ideals Of labor" and
expressing the satisfaction Of organ
i2ed labor that the "culprits have
been commensurately punished for
their crime" the Mcnamara ways and
means committee of the American
Federation of Labor. after "A two-day
conference here, late today issued IA
statement vigorously condemning the
McNamaras tor their "inhumanity,'
and declaring that organized labor
should not be held either legally or
morally responsible for the crimes
OF an individual member"
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 committee
except +. M. Ryan, president of the
Structural Iron Workers association,
with which the Los Angeles Times
dynamlting was connected officially
Mr.. Ryan returned to Indianapolis
early today.
Would Have Signed.
Had he remained, however" said
President Compers positively, II am
sure that Mr.. Ryan would have ad-
ded his name. He was called back to
indianapolis by pressure of business.
He did not see the statement, but | am
sure he is in hearty accord with its
sentiments"
As to their knowledge of the crime
to which the McNamaras confessed
the commHtee in a statement says:
1--WE here and now individually and
collectively declare that the first
knowledge or intlmation of their guilt
was conveyed by the press in their
confessions of guilt.
VIII Make Accounting.
From the outset we assured all
contributors and the public generally
that we would publish an accounting
of the moneys received from them
and to whom paid
"At the executive council of the
American Federation Of Labor at its
meeting to be held at Washington Jan
uary s. 1912. this will be done"
Further than this Mr.. Gompers
would say nothing in regard to the
defense money.
Organized labor of America" the
statement continues, has no desire
to condone the crimes Of the McNa-
maras. II joins in the satisfaction
L., t,,t 4
that the culprits commensurately
punished for the crime"
Partly condoning the crime of the
McNamaras, however, the statement
read Immediately after:
Not Held Responsible.
"And yet 1t Is an awful comment
AIRY upon existing conditions when
any one man among the millions Of
workers can bring himself to the
frame of mind that the only means
to secure justice for labor is in vio-
lence outrage and murder.
1T 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 or legal responsible
ity has been placed upon any associa-
tion of men In our country.
Court Investigation.
"As far as we have the right TO
speak i'm the name of organized la
Dor, we welcome any investigation
which either the federal or state
courts may undertake. The sessions
of the conventions 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 com
petent authority who may desire to
make a study or any investigation OF
them.
"The men OF organized labor in
common with all our people" the
committee affirms. ARE grieved by
the explosion. and the toll OF death
and the loss OF property. not only
In the case under discussion, but any
other cases which may have occurred.
We are heartily humlllated to think
that any man connected with the la
Dor movement should have been gull
ty of either. The lesson this grave
crime teaches however. viii have It's
salutary effect. 1t will demonstrate
now more than ever the inhumanity.
as we'll as the futillty. Of resorting to
vengeance In the effort to right wrong
or TO attain rights"
Condemn kidnapping.
While not defending the crime of
the McNamaras ths COMMITTEES con.