The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-02
GOMPERS DECLARES
HE WAS DECEIVED
HAD MNAMARAS' ASSURANCE OF
INNOCENCE, NOW BELIEVE
THEM CRAZY.
PLACED FAITH IN THEM
SAYS LABOR Is SOMETIMES IN
JURED BY IT'S ENEMIES
AND FREQUENTLY By
IT'S FRIENDS.

NEW YORK, Dec. MY
creduiity was imposed upon by the
McNamaras; had their personal as
surance that they were innocent, and
l now believe they must have been
crazy to have committed the crime to
which reports say they have con-
fessed." said Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent OF the American Federation of
Labor. on his arrival from Washing
ton. at the Pennsylvania station in
this city tonight.
Il am astounded beyond express
sion When I visited them in prison
last September, they impaired to me
a message to convey to the men OF
labor in this country that they were
innocent. I visited them twice in
Los Angeles. Later I received let
tiers from them in which they assured
me that they had nothing to do with
any Of the outrages charged against
them.
Il never had the slightest intima-
ton that they were guilty. I have al
ways condemned deeds OF violence.
The American Federation il law
abiding institution. We are patriotic
and peace loving, and with all the
force in me condemn the acts Of
violence. of which it appears these
men are guilty.
Labor movements cannot succeed
upon procedures Of that character.
II deeds of that kind are committed
and even II the men involved escape
detection and punishment labor
movements that depend upon them
will fall.
Dinfcult to Believe.
Il knew John J. MCNAMARA for
several years. I did not know his
brother until recently. John J. seemed
always to be a well balanced man.
self-contained and good humored.
That makes it all the more difIlcult
for me to beifeve THAT he should have
done anything wrong. I trusted him
Implicitly.
.'The fact that the McNamaras did
not follow the precepts Of the labor
unions Is personal failure on their
part. do not say that their acts
will hurt the cause Of labor. but such
things certainly do not help the labor
movement
II have no idea where the Nc
Namaras got money with which to
travel about the country. am sure
that none Of the men who are closely
associated with me know anything
about where their funds came from.
When they were arrested and felt
convinced that they were innocent, ]
helped to raise money for their de-
Tense. It has been said that q fund
Of 100000 was collected for that
purpose. The reports twere exag-
gerated.
Raised Fund Of 4fSO, 900.
There was approximately $4,000
collected, according to the latest re-
ports that received. This money
was to be used for counsel and wit
ness fees. l hope that the unex-
pended part Of the money viii be re-
turned to the sources from whence It
came. This news coming upon me
90 suddenly. makes II impossible for
mo to say what detailed plans will
be followed.
II arm shocked beyond expression.
/ received no word or intimation from
Attorney Clarence 8. barrow but that
tho case would 90 forward a planned.
A labor movement u sometimes In
Jured by IT. enemies and sometimes
by it, friends. You know Of what
happened in this Instance. A labor
movement y one Of progress ana not
the taking pf Tie and the destruc,
ton Of property.
lam indig1Ant that should hAvs|
uIll3 j M ~ .s,