United labor bulletin., 1911-12-07

John j. Mcnamara at the same time
confessed that he blew up the Lleweliyn
iron works. He Was also sentenced tues
day TO is years at San Quentin, des-
olate island in the Pacic ocean on which
the state penitenuary is located.
Sentence has not as yet been passed
on Ortie McManigal, a third conspirator
who was the first to turn states evi-
deAce-
IL is believed that there are others in
the Ironworkers' union who may be i'm
piicated in the dynamiting conspiracy
which has extended It's operations
throughout the United States. From
Boston TO Los Angeles construction work
being done or completed by open-shop
contractors has been dynamited with
more or less serious result These oper-
atIons were the most extensive through
ou, the central states, but in these ex-
plosions loss OF lifo was not recorded.
But in the blowing up OF the Los
Angeles Times 81 lives were lost The
world was astounded at this awful
crime. The finger OF suspicion at once
pointed at the typographical union. for
IL has been at war with the management
Of the Times for years-but no connec-
tion could be found TO lead the deteo-
tivee TO believe that the Typographical
union was in any way responsible Tor
the awful act
Months rolled by. and then. as
thundorbolt out of clear sky came the
news that the secretary-treasurer OF the
international Association of Bridge and
Structural Ironworkers, John J. NC
Namara, had been arrested in lndianap-
oils. Ind, and with his brother. James
b.. and Ortie McManigal. who were ar
rested in Detroit. presumably for rob
berry. were kidnapped and taken together
to Los Angeles to stand trial for the
crimes to which they have pleaded
guilty.
Organized labor throughout the United
States was aroused TO high pitch by
what IL thought was the railroacing OF
the McNamaras to certain death on the
gallows. Two hundred thousand dollars
we're raised for defense of the brothers,
and since the trial began the money was
fairly pouring In.
Action Taken by A. r. Of L.
During the report of the committee on
presldents report at the Atlanta con-
yention of tho American Federation OF
Labor. and while considering that por-
ton which dealt with the defense OF the
NcNamaras, Delegate Fursueth had this
TO say:
Not as secretary of the committee,
bat ms n delegate to this convention. In
my own right and upon my own respon-
sbillty, | propose TO offer motion. In
explanation OF II | want to say, that
sundry ideas came before us on the com
mittee. Sundry propositions were made
to us as members of the committee In
regard to raising funds. We questioned
the advisability or wisdom OF putting IL
into the report, but II was suggested oy
the friends OF the proposition that 1t
would be better to come before you from
the floor. | have waited on two occa-
sions for Il to come from the floor. II
has not come, and now l make this mo-
ton as a delegate to this convention.
move that all paid officials of the labor
movement be requested to give ono
weeks wages to the Mcnamara fund"
The motion offered by the delegate
was carried by vote of 1876 to 4 Fol-
lowing this another motion was read
THAT each delegate to this convention
OF the American Federation OF Labor be
authorized to turn over to Secretary
Morrison one days pay for the beneht
OF this fund" This latter motion was
carried by unanimous vote. It was
estimated that this would have brought
In between $4,000 and $4,000.
Not only were the workers defending
the brothers with money. but the pub
licity had SO thoroughly aroused the
masses countrywide that they were
rushing to the polls, and tho government
of the Interests" seemed about to be
taken over by the workers. But on the
eve of the election in Los Angeles the
confession was made as though ar
ranged by n conference with the corpo-
rations, and the state seems saved to
the old-line parties.
The thing Is done. Further develop.
ments are awaited.