New-York tribune., 1911-12-08
FEDERATION Of LABOR
CONDEMNS M'NAMARAS
OisClaims Guilty knowledge, but
Finds Crime lawful Commen-
tary on Existing Conditions
PARTLY CONDONES OFFENCE
Declares Dynamiters Were Ar
rested in Russian Style and
Will Welcome Investiga-
tion, State or Federal.

tl0n, state or feQeTdl.
! Washington Dec I.-Brandng James
| 3. and John J. Mcnamara as "recreant
TO the good name and high ideals of
| labor" and expressing the satisfaction
OF organized labor that the "culprts
have been commensurately punished for
their crime" the Mcnamara Ways and
Means Committee OF the American
Federation Of Labor. after two days
conference here, issued late to-day a
statement vigorously condemning the
McNamaras for their "inhumanity" and
declaring that organized labor should
not be held "either legally or morally
responsible for the crimes of an indi-
vidual member"
The labor leaders assert they will
welcome any investigation which either
federal or state courts may undertake"
The statement is signed by every
member of the Mcnamara committee
except +. NJ. Ryan, President Of the In
ternational Association of Bridge and
Structural Iron Workers. of which
John j. Mcnamara was secretary-tress-
urer. Mr.. Ryan returned to Indian
apolis early to-day.
As TO their knowledge OF the crime to
which the McNamaras confessed, the
committee in their statement assert:
we here and now. individually and
collectively, declare that the first
knowledge or intimation of their guilt
was conveyed by the press in their con-
fessions of guilt
From the outset We assured all con-
tributors and the public generally that
we would publish an accounting of the
moneys received. from whom received
and to whom paid. A report in full will
be made first 10 the Executive Council
Of the American Federation Of Labor at
its meeting to be held at Washington,
January s, 1912"
Further than this Mr.. Gompers would
say nothing in regard to the defence
fund money
organized labor of America" the
statement continues, has no desire 10
condone the crimes of the McNamaras.
1t Joins in the satisfaction that the
majesty of the law has been maintained
and the culprits commensurately pun
ished for their crime"
Partly condone Crime.
Partly condoninG the crime of the Me-
Namaras, however, the statement saws
in the following breath:
And yet il is an awful commentary
upon existing conditions when any one
man among all the millions Of workers
can bring himself to the frame of mind
that the only means to secure justice for
labor is in violence, outrage and murder.
1T 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
o. legal responsibility is placed upon
any other association Of men in our
country.
In so far as We have the right 10
speak in the name of organized labor,
we welcome any investigation which
either federal or state courts may under
take. The sessions of the conventions
Of the American Federation of Labor are
held with open doors, that all may see
and hear what is being said and done.
The books, accounts and correspond
ence OF the Federation are open to any
competent authority who may desire to
make a study or an investigation OF
them.
THE men Of organized labor in COM
mon with all our people" the committee
affirms, ARE grieved beyond expression
in words at the loss of life and the de-
struction of property, not only in the
case under discussion but in any other
case which may have occurred. We are
hurt and humiliated TO think that any
man connected with the labor movement
should have been guilty Of either. The
lesson this grave crime teaches, how
ever, will have its salutary effect IL
will demonstrate now more than ever
the inhumanity. as we'll as the futilty
OF resorting to violence in the effort 20
right wrongs or to attain rights"
Arrested in Russian Style
While not defending the crime Of the
McNamaras. the committee condemned
the kidnapping of the brothers,
who, they say, were arrested in Rus
sian style, not American" In the
method Of arrest they find high hand
cd irregularity and tyrannical lawless-
ness" and w. j. Burns, the detective
in the case, is severely criticised. Or
ganized labor properly expressed its
| condemnation of violence on hearing
Of the Los Angeles disaster, it Is
claimed.
1.-The universal condemnation of d
murderous deed in labor circles ought
10 be fact so far beyond question"
the statement proceeds, 80 easily as
certainable from accessible records, that
no man with any regard for his repu-
tation for veracity could deny IT. Vio-
lence, brutality, destruction Of life and
property are foreign TO the aims and
methods of organized labor of America,
and no interest is more severely in
iured by the employment Of such meth
oGs than that OF the workers organized
i'm the labor movement.