The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-03
WOODS STATEMENT ON 'NAMARA CASE Organized Labor Profound
 ly Depressed WAS IMPOSED UPON Says Labor Leaders Believe the Confessed Criminals Should Be
 Given Punishment Commen-
 surate With Crime
WAS IMPOSED UPON

J. B. Wood, president of the Birming- ham Trades Council, last night issued the following formal statement on the outcome of the McNamara cases:
 "Organized labor is asteunded and pro- foundly depressed by the recent devel- opments in the MeNamara cases, but feel ing that it has but done it's full duty in defending brothers whom 1t thought guiitless of the terrible crimes charged against them, it has no apologies to make for the action taken by the offi- cers of the federation of labor in their efforts to free the men charged with these crimes.
 "Organized labor does not condone any crime committed by any of the adherents of the labor cause and would be the last to attempt any defense of men who do these things It is opposed to any form of violence, no matter what the provo- cation might be, and what end might be served. Its leaders are men of great conservatism and they are patriotic to a degree, and these men should not be held responsible for the action of radi- calls who are in the ranks of the or ganization.
 'The federation is battling for a prin- cipIe 1t is true but it will not stoop to crime to gain the end desired, nor will it approve of any of the criminal acts committed by any of it's members, even though they be committed for the sake of that principle.
 "The McNamara brothers imposed upon the entire federation of labor, and by their deception put the federation in a bad light in the eyes of great number of people, but we feel assured that all fair minded men will think and will give organized labor a fair trial, before they condemn the whole movement because of the action of the anarchistic element within the ranks of the federation.
 'The reactionares in the ranks of the opponents of the federation are taking advantage of this deplorable affair by saving that the leaders in the federation were cognizant of the guilt of the Me- Namara brothers, and that it had raised an enormous sum to defend them. This statement, coming from men who are so violently opposed to the labor move ment, should be taken very lightly, for there is very little truth to support 1t. True it is, that the federation did raise a sum for the defense of the men whom it thought were being persecuted, but rot for one moment did any of the men- bers of organized labor believe that these men were guilty of the awful crime charged to them, and with the belief that they were innocent, the federation was prepared to go the limit for then defense,
 --"The leaders of the labor movement feel very keenly the disgrace that has been brought upon them by the ifi- position of the McNamaras and believe that as they have confessed to the crimes charged to them they should be given just punishment and not be treated with any more consideration than any other criminal They should pay their just dues to outraged law and organized labor will not put in one plea for mercy.
 "The federation has been struck d body blow, but its will recover from it and will come up strong and con fident, believing the principles that It is fighting for to be right and just and that in spite of the fact that the fair name of organized labor has been smirched and dragged in the mire of crime, of which it had no cognizance, it will rise from this blow with the same confidence that 1t has had be- fore and go marching on to ultimate y principles right. Conservatism will rule in the councils of the leaders and radicaIism will be forced into outer darkness where it rightfully belongs.
 Brothers, let not this terrible thing discourage you, but with a spirit stron 8 for your cause, continue the fight for right and justice Discourage the rad ical and cling to the true principle, end in the end we will succeed in our great work, which diversity cannot down. Be strong in your cause and in the end we will triumph. Bloodshed and crime have no part in the creed ol organized labor and all brothers who have the true conception of the prin- ciples of trade unionism frown upon all actions of lawless nature.
 We will win with honor, but if we have to stoop to dishonor we will lose our fight, so better a losing fight with honor than to win with dishonor. 7
 "J. B. sWOOD, "President Birmingham Trades Coun-
 cil." .fs