The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-07
LABOR OFFICIALS
MEET, DO NOTHING
Mcnamara Ways and Means
Committee Is Not Entire
ly Harmonious
NATIONAL OFFICERS
IN SAME POSITION
Will Await Federal Charges
and Then Presume Them
to Be innocent Until
Proven Guilty

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-After a
prolonged and not entirely harrnoni-
IL meeting at h American FEEDER
alton of Labor headquarters today, the
McNainaras ways and means commit
tee decided to leave to the edera.
authorities any charges that may be
made against national officers.
The members present held that the
constitutional presumption of nno-
cenco entities it's national officers to
their support. II will he time. In
their opinion. to take formal action. If
convictions follow whatever action the
authorities Intend to take.
The national officers are thus left
In the same position they occupied be-
fore the Mcnamara confession-one
OF complete and unquestioned au-
thority.
Ryan was not present at the morn
ing session. 1t Is understood that he
wAs closeted all morning with James
Duncan, OF Quincy, Mass, first Vice
president Of the American Federation
of Labor. After Ryan had Joined the
committee. Duncan appeared in the
room for a few moments.
Duncan Leaves Hastily.
On the plea that he was not a menu
Der OF the ways and means commit
tee. uncan practically washed his
hands OF the whole affair, and hastily
left for hotne He was pressed to re-
main at the committee meeting. but
pleaded an engagement in New York.
The declared purpose OF the COM
mittee meeting was to consider the
attitude TO be taken by the federation
officials with reference to the situa-
fian arising frnDN Tho ANN rs "a - a rnF-
fessions. The fund collected for the
defense was given minor consideration,
and will be taken up at tomorrow's SEES
sion at 2 o'clock.
1t was admitted by Secretary Nor
rison that $1,000 was paid to Clar-
ence Darrow, as q retainer, n that
mach more than that sun vas ad-
vanced him for the uses of the trials
In Los Angeles. An accounting for
this money will be requested. Decision
AZ to the distribution of the surplus.
II any. was not made today.
The final conclusion was reached
that II any action concerning the Of
ficers of the federation liz taken, the
task must be left to the organized
forces OF society. AS long as q mem
Der remains on the union rolls with
the constitutional presumption of in
nocence. the American Federation of
Labor feels that the strength of the
organization must be given to his sup
port.
Those Present
Present at the meeting as members
OF the committee were: Frank Nj.
Ryan. of indianapolis, president of the
Bridge. and Structural Iron Workers
Association: Samuel Gompers, presi,
dent. and Frank Morrison, secretary.
OF the American Federation Of Labor;
William J. Spencer. secretary OF the
Building Trades Department.: John
u. Lennon. president. and Thomas f.
Tracy. secretary. of the Union Label
Trades Department.
Interest in the meeting was in
tensiied by the presence Of Ryan.
and alleged to be within the range
of the Federal investigation. now
being rapidly brought to a focus.
Al the meeting Ryan dramatically
denied any guilty knowledge OF the
crimes Of the McNanaras. and de-
clared that the funds furnished to j.
j. Mcnamara were intended to be
used by him in the ordinary course
of the labor differences between the
Bridge and Structural Iron Workers
Association and the Erectors' Asso-
citation.
He reiterated his previous public
statement hat Mcnamara had de-
ceived him concerning the handling
of n funds.
Burns L. Denounced.
President Ryan, OF the .Interna-
tional Bridge and Structural Steel
Workers Union, and Samuel Comp
ers, vehem entity denounced Detective
Burns to-day. Mr.. Ryan arrived
shortly before the afternoon session
OF the Ways and Means COMMITTEES
OF the American Federation OF Labor
convened, and was shown statements
from Phifadeiphia. in which Burns in
represented as accusing Ryan of
guilty knowledge In the Mcnamara
dynamiting case.
That Is Burns stock in trade, and
1t is up to him to prove it, said Mr..
Ryan.
Shortly before this Mr.. Gompsrs
was shown a copy OF the statement
accredited TO Burns. in which Burns Is
reported TO have said that he had
personal knowledge that Gompers
had q in conference with the men
who committed the Times dynamite
ing outrage before the wrecking Of
the Los Angeles plant. Burns also
was quoted as denouncing Gompers in
the strongest terms
Burns evidently thinks" said
Gompers. that II he repeats the
falsehood often enough. it will later
% true. On no other theory
would he repeat the statements OF the
falshood that / knew the Nc
Namaras were guilty"