The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-05
MERCY APPEAL
FROM ODD SOURCE
NATIONAL. DIRECTORS AssOClA-
TToNAL ASK COURT TO PITY
MCNAMARA.
SEEK MEN HIGHER UP
MAKE sTRONG INsINUATIONs As
TO WHO WILL NEXT BE
ARRESTED IN DYNA-
MITE CASE.

for mercy for the confessed dyna-
miters, the McNamaras. was sent out
from this city this evening by the
very organization which they injured
most. and which traced their crimes
aad CAUSED their arrests-the Nation
al Frectofs' Association.
Walter Drew. counsel and active
head OF tho organization. declared that
II believed labor men higher up"
far more guilty, and that the directors
were more eager to punish these men
than their weak tools. He added
that demand OF certain labor leaders
for the death penalty vas insincere.
since at least enc man voicing it was
implicated with the present prisoners.
Mr.. Drew sent the following tele-
gram to Los Angeles:
Captain J. ID, Fredericks. District
attorney, Los Angeles. Cal:
II note the many statemsnss from
labor leaders repudiaung the Nc
NaInaros and demanding the inf.ic-
ton upon them OF the extreme PEN
atty Of the law. As you know. l am
counsel Tor q group Of employers who
have hcNn among the chief sufferers
at tho hands OF these men, and am,
perhaps, a. familiar as anyone with
the series OF dynamite outrages in
which they took part. I deem 1t my
duty to say to you. In order that in
your discretion you may advise the
court.
Dynamiter Weak Tool.
i. No human life has been de-
stroyed by any other explosion trace
able to these men. nor do know of
any such explosion which was Ap-
parently planned with the purpose OF
taking life. though In some instances
a dIsrcgard OF such possible conse-
queeces was shown.
"2. The National Erectors' Asso
citation does not join in the demand
for the death penalty for the younger
MCNAMARA. believing him the weak.
paid tool OF others, and his actions
the natural consequence OF the doc
trines taught by men who now re-
pudiate him. We believe the punish
ment OF both these brothers secondary
In Importance to the conviction OF
the men behind them. and We sin
cerely hope they will take advan-
tase Of the opportunity now present
ed to perform signal service for So
ciety by making full and frank con-
fession.
80 Inasmuch as some Of the de-
mands for extreme punishment come
from men who must have known OF
the guilt of the Mcnamara, and one
of whom. At least. l know to De I'M
pitcnted Ia several eutraSes with Them.
seriously doubt that such demands
are being made with the sole desire
Of aiding the ends OF full and COM
fsYrnedl WALTER DREW
The head OF the directors then re-
peated his statement made exclusive
" to the International News Service
on the previous day, to the effect that
twenty or thirty other labor leaders
would be indicted by the Indianapolis
Federal grand jury which convenes
December IA. When asked about
their identity he said:
you can perhaps draw your own
conclusions. 1t is known. and on re-
cord. that the executive board of the
international Association OF Bridge
and Structural Iron Workers voted
81 900 a month to the McNamaras.
For what purpose do you suppose this
was done? Everyone knows now how
at least part Of the money was spent.
This was taken as an intimation
that the next prisoners would come
from that group, especially as MT.
Drew has said at various times that
the rainifications OF the case would
extend all over the country. Inc
members Of the executive board men
toned live In various cities. They
are: -
President F. NJ. Ryan. Indianapolis:
first vice president. J. p. Butler. But
falo: second vice. president IL. >:
Hockin Detroit; executive board OF
directors. NJ. j. Young Boston; d. A.
Cooley, New Orleans: J. e. McGlory.
Cleveland and Edward Lewis, Gin
cinnati.
Gompsrs UP to Burns.
When asked about Detective Burns
declaration that President Samuei
Gompers, OF the American Federation
of Labor, had known. all along, OF
the guilt OF the McNamaras. Mr.. Drew
said:
That's up TO Burns. I have no such
knowledge. I do not say that he had
any information concerning the dyna-
mitings. or that he 10 guilty of any
crime or any criminal knowledge.
do not know whether or not he will
be subpoenaed before the Indianapo-
lis Jury. Our organization has no de-
sire to hound Mr.. Gompers. He's
having troubles enough OF his own. 1t
would appear"
There was report tonight to tho
effect that Mr.. Drew had sent a per-
sonal telegram to John ]. Mcnamara.
urging him to make confession,
showing that he and his brother were
merely tools of the men higher up,
which confession might result In a
cleaning up of the evils existing in
| unions and advance thereby the labor
cause.