United labor bulletin., 1911-07-27


national unions which have their head
quarters at indianapolis, Ind, the execu
| tive council of the American Federation
of Labor took upon itself the response
bility for the defense of the kidnapped
men now ncarcerated in California and
the prosecution of the kidnapers.
At its recent meeting the executive
council called in officers of the various de-
partments of the American Federation of
Labor for consultation and to devise ways
and means and plan of action in regard
to these cases.
The executive council also had the ad-
vice of eminent counsel already retained
in these cases. A conference was held
at Indianapolis, June 1929, in which the
officers of a large number of interna-
tional unions participated and the ways
and means and plan of action of the ex-
ecutive councils of the A. F. of L. and its
departments were fully approved and ad-
ditional recommendations made. With
out entering into details the following
are the essential features
That international unions endeayor to
secure contributions from the members
of their locals in the sum of not less than
25 cents each. That local unions directly
affiliated to the A. F. of L. by charter be
requested to contribute the sum of not
| less than 25 cents each per member; and
| That central bodies select committees
for the purpose of collecting funds from
workers and friends who do not contrib
That the subject-matter of the outrage
ute through the channels of their local or
international organizations, and forward
their contributions regularly and prompt
| ly to FRANK MORRISON, secretary,
American Federation of Labor.
Gus kidnapping and all the facts of the
persecution be discussed at each meet
ing of all state and city central bodies
and the delegates urged to take the mat
ter up at all meetings of their local
/ unions, and there urge the Importance
and immediate necessity of raising sufi-
cient funds to properly conduct the kid
naping prosecution and the Mcnamara
defense.
That inasmuch as there exists wide
spread misinformation as to the illegal
and outrageous kidnapping of the Nc
Namara brothers and the denial to them
of the constitutional rights guaranteed to
persons suspected of crime, and in FUR
therance of the ends of justice there now
exists an urgent necessity to arouse pub
licity to the unscrupulous and illegal
methods which were employed, we, there
fore. urge all central labor bodies to ar
range for public meetings of protest.
That Labor Day be celebrated more
earnestly and generally than ever by
demonstrations and addresses as well as
proceeds of these celebrations be devoted
TO the legal defense of the Mcnamara
case" and the prosecution of the kid
lnapers.
That an appeal be made to the labor
press to receive contributions from 9TH
lers than union men who are contributing
through their local or international
unions.
A committee on ways and means for
the Mcnamara defense and the kidnap-
ing prosecution was created, consisting
of the undersigned, as well as Secretary
Frank Morrison, President Frank NJ.
Ryan of the Bridge and Structural Iron
Workers, James Short and VIM ]. Spen-
Ger. president and secretary of the Build
ing Trades Department: James O'Connell
and A ]. Berries, president and secretary
of the Metal Trades Department. and
John B, Lennon and Thomas F. Tracy,
president and secretary of the Union La
bel Trades Department.
This committee has under advisement
other additional means for raising funds
to properly defend the McNamaras, as
well as the prosecution of the kidnapers
and to make kidnapping forever impossi-
BILE of recurrence
The prosecution, or more properly
speaking. the prosecutors have at their
back the unlimited wealth and power of
corporate interests. The liberty and lives
of our men must not be frittered away
for want of ample means. The best legal
talent faithful to their clients and our
cause. have been retained. II is easily
conceivable that it requires more work
and ability, entailing more expense. to
unearth and expose false accusations
than it requires to manufacture them.
Upon labor is imposed a difficult and tre-
mendous responsibility, which it is our
purpose not to evade in the slightest de
gree but it will be necessary for the
great rank and file of the organized labor
movement of America to respond in
hearty accord. generosity and prompt
ness with every effort and suggestion
made.
All central bodies are. therefore, ap-
pealed to to select committees for the
purpose of collecting and securing funds
from workers and friends who do not
contribute through the channels of their
: local or international unions.
There are large number OF workers
so situated and there are numerous
friends of the cause of justice. right and
humanity who would be glad to contrib
ute toward affording ample defense and
to proceed against the kidnapers and to
make these outrages impossible for the
future.
sincerely hoping that the Importance
OF these matters may appeal 20 the judg-
ment and the conscience OF all central
bodies and that sympathetic and ener-
getic cooperation may result therefrom.
| have the honor to remain in behalf of
the Mcnamara Ways and Means COM
mittee. Yours fraternally.
SAM'L GoMPERS.
Attest: President A. F OF L,
FRANK MORRISON.
Secretary A. F. OF L.