New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-02
COMPERS SHEDS TEARS
ON HEARING THE NEWS
SAYS His CreduIity Was Abused,
and Adds Two Men Must
Have Been Crazy.
"A TERRIBLE REVELATION"
Labor Leader Declares He Criti-
Cised Burns Because He Be-
lieved the McNamaras
To Be Innocent.

Samuel Gompers was awakened from
nap last night by two reporters on
board the Congressional Limited Ex-
press at the Manhattan transfer station
in Newark. and thus for the first time
heard the news of the pleas of guilty In
the Mcnamara cases in Los Angeles.
I'm astounded-I am astounded be-
yond expressionr he exclaimed. Il am
shocked beyond expression Ny credulity
has been imposed upon"
At this point Mr. GOmpers drew his
handkerchief and wiped tears from his
eyes and he sat I'm a dazed sort Of way
in his parlor chair all the time that the
train was ploughing its way through the
tube Of the Pennsylvania station in Sew
enth avenue.
When the train reached the station
here Mr. Gompers walked into a nest
of reporters waiting by the elevators.
He appeared to be unwilling TO talk at
first. Then he seemed 10 get grip on
his feelings and he asked the reporters
10 accompany him to the waiting room.
"Win these confessions injure organ
iZed labor?" he was asked
do you think they will help it any?'
he asked. "Organized labor can never
succeed by procedures cf such char
acter Neverw he exclaimed. Even
if leaders of such lawlessness could get
away with it, it couldn't possibly win.
My credulity has been imposed upon!
Says He Believed Them Innocent.
Il had had personal assurances from
these men in Jail last September that
they were innocent. The word of labor
ing men was impaired TO me twice that
these men were the victims Of con-
spiracy. | believed they were innocent
and | acted upon that belief. l have
known John j. Mcnamara for several
years in his capacity as secretary TO the
Bridge and Structural Iron Workers
Federation, and | always knew him to
be a self contained man, actuated by the
truest motives. That is what makes this
news so astounding, so remarkable. l
had the utmost confidence in him. l be-
lieved in him thoroughly.
1T is a terrible revelation-terrible!
But terrible as it is, ii does not shake my
confidence in the labor movement or in
it's leaders | condemn the act with all
the force that is in me. The men must
have been crazy. organized labor is for
peace, progress and prosperity Acts Of
violence have been discouraged by every
word and deed"
do you know where the McNamaras
obtained the money fer their purposes?"
Mr.. Gompers was asked
Il haven't the slightest knowledge" he
exclaimed
What about the million dollars that
was raised TO defend them?" was asked.
Denies 100000 Was Raised.
THAT was false There never was a
million raised. | am told that $1sO.OOO
was collected throughout the country
and was forw arded to Los Angeles to be
disposed of i'm payment for counsel and
for the payment of certain witnesses.
what will become Of that fund.-
1T will be reapportioned and sent back.
presume"
You criticised William ]. Burns as a
man who bounded the McNamaras like
beast Of prey. did you not?"
Il criticised Burns. / did. why
shouldn't have done 50? had the ut
most confidence in the innocence of these
men objected to Burns's methods. He
was trying his case through the news
rapers ana magazines That was what
| objected to-"
Mr. GOmpers kept repeating IN almost
maudlin fashion that he was astonisned
hevond measure and that his creduilty
had been imposed upon. He asserted
emphatIcaEy that he had not the sllght-
est intimatinn of any such change IN the
plans If the defence as developed yes
terday. The first news that he had or
the startling developments. he said was
when the reporters tapped him on the
shoulder in the Pullman. and held up
Continued ON second page.