Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-12-08
James B, and John ]. MeNa-
maraS Branded As 'Recreant
to Good Name and High
Ideals of Labor
CUlPRlTS HAVE BEEN
ADEQUATELY PUNISHED
After Two Days Secret Con-
ference, Union Chiefs Make
Statement Welcoming InveS-
tigation, Federal or State,
tBy Morning journal special Leased Wiz. !,


IBy Morning Journal Special Leased wlre \
washington Dec. j,-BrandmE
James b. and John j. Mcnamara as
"recreant to the good name and hiea
ideals of labor" and expressing tha
satisfaction OF organized labor that
the culprits have been commensur-
ately punished for their crimes" the
McNamaras ways and means commit
tee of the American Federation OF
Labor after two days conference.
late today issued a statement vigor.
ously condemning the McNamaras for
their "inhumanlty" and declaring that
"either legally or morally respons.
ible for the crimes of an individual
member"
The labor leaders assert that They
will welcome any investigation
which either federal or state courts
may undertake.
The statement Is signed by every
members of the Mcnamara commit.
tee. except +. NJ. Ryan. president OF
titf HNttilNAlAflAAA ANNNfAdiiND VI
Bridge and Structural Iron Workers,
of which j. j. Mcnamara was secre.
tary-treasurer. Mr.. Ryan returned
to Indianapolis today.
"Had he remained. however" said
President Gompers positively, II am
sure Mr., Ryan would have added his
name. He was called back to In
dianapolis by pressure Of business lie
did not see the statement but am
sure he is In hearty accord with IT.
sentiments"
AS to their knowledge Of the crime
To which the McNamaras confessed
the committee IN ther statement ms.
sert;
I'VE here and now individually and
collectively declare that the first
knowledge or intimation of their guilt
was conveyed by the press in their
confessions of guilt.
From the outset we assured all con
tributors and the public generally
that VIC would publish an accounting
of the monies received from whom
received and to whom paid A report |
in fun will he made January F.
1912"
Further than this Mr. Gompers
would say nothing IN regard to the de-
Tense FUND money
"Organired labor OF America" the |
statement continues "has no desire 10
eondone the crimes OF the McNa-
maras. In Joins IN the satisfaction |
that the majesty OF the law has been
maintained and that the culprlts
commensurately punished for their
crime
Partly condonlng the crime Of the |
McNamaras. however, the statement |
says In the following breath;
"And yet Il is an awful commentary |
upon the existing conditions when one |
man among the millions OF workers
can bring himself to the frame Of |
mind that the only means to secure |
justice for labor il in violence, out
rage and murder
'It 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 respon-
sibiity Is placed upon any other as
ISOLATION of men in our country
insofar as we have the right to !
speak In the name Of organized Ia
Dor we welcome any investigation |
which either the federal or state
courts may undertake. The sessions
of the convention Of the American |
Federation Of Labor are held with |
omen doors that all may see and hear |
what Is being said and done Tho
books. accounts and correspondence |
Of the federation are open TO any |
competent authority who may desire !
to make study or an investigation |
Of them"
"rhe men OF organized labor IN |
common with ali our people The |
committee affIrms, ARE grieved be |
vond expression In words at the loss
az life and the destruction ot proper
Is. not only In the case nnder dis.
cussion but In any other case which |
may have occurred We are hurt !
and humiliated TO think that any |
man connected with the labor move |
ment should have been guilty Of
either. The lesson THE grave CRIME |
teaches. however will have Its salu-
tarv effect. II will demonstrate now
more than ever the inhumani'y as
wen az the futillty Of resorting to
violence In the effort TO right wrongs
or to attain rights.
while not defending the crime OF
the McNamaras the committee de-
rounced the "kidnaplng' of the Me-
Namaras. who, they saN were ar
rested IN Russian style not Amefi'
can"
In the method Of arrest they fihd
"high- handed irregularity and tyran
nIcal lawlessness" and w. J, Burns.
| the detective In tho case, is severely
criticized.
: organized labor properly expressed