United labor bulletin., 1911-05-11
FEDERATION OF LABOR
WILL RECEIVE FUNDS
BEST LEGAL TALENT IN U. S. TO
Be FURNISHED McNAMARAS.

Tho entire country has been informed
through the press dispatches Of the ar
rest and kidnapping Of J. J. McNamara,
secrstary-treasurer Of the Iron Workers,
together with his brother, and their spir-
iting away by detectives to Los Angeles,
without having been given an opportu-
nifty 20 consult counsel, or defend them
selves even in the most remote way.
With apparent studied and prearranged
manner the columns of the daily press
have been carrying an unusual amount
OF iurid and sensational statements Of
what is alleged to have occurred, and
predicting even worse. From these incl
dents. indications are apparent that a
cor@piracy is attempted with the end In
vfk to destroy the Iron Workers and
CD odium on organized labor In gen.
eraL The sentiments permeating the
news assumes that simply because the
men charged are connected with the ac-
tivities Of union labor they must Of ne
cessity be guilty Of the crime charged.
with only a few notable exceptions
has there been any effort to suggest
that It is unjust to prejudge; that the
better method to be pursued would be
10 await until both sides have been heard
before public decision is rendered. To
build up prejudice and infiame the public
mind when heinous crimes have been
charged against the accused is not In ac
cord with the spirit of American institu-
tions.
The officials of the American Fedora
ton OF Labor have always been fore
most In inveighing against even the
slightest infraction of the law. and the
rank and file of its membership are in
entire harmony with this procedure.
Times without number have the men OF
labor. although entirely innocent. been
called upon by unfair. unprincipied and
illegal combinations of wealth. to defend
themselves against the Vaccinations OF
unscrupulous men And as often has
the bath OF FIRE proved the fallacious and
unseryiceable texture OF the web woven
TO .enmesh them.
whenever a crime is committed. no
matter by whom. whether il be a mem
bcr OF a union or not. after the accused
has been tried by n fair and unbiased
tribunal. II found guilty punishment
should be inflicted Organized labor asks
no immunities from the law. neither is
IL entitled TO any. Labor does not desire
government to assist II in any way. other
than that conferred on all citizens. but
Il does demand that it be permitted. in
common with all others 10 work out its
destiny within the law.
Immediately after the arrest and kid
naping OF the accused, President Com
pers and Secretary Spencer Of the Build
ing Trades Department. proceeded to In
dianapolis TO confer with the officials oil
the international unions located in that
city. After two days conference it
was advised that the executive council
of the American Federation of Labor. to
avoid diffusion OF effort, take charge OF
the entire matter of receiving and dis
bursting funds. together with all other
matters in connection with the case. so
that ample opportunity for proper de-
Tense may be assured.
The men of labor believe that the men
accused are innocent and they will use
every effort to defend them against what
they believe to be an unjust accusation
According to the concept OF our institu-
lions every man charged with crime is
assumed to be innocent until he is proven
guilty. and acting upon this assumption
organized labor will raise sufficient funds
to hire the ablest counsel that can be Sc
cured for the purpose of procuring for
the accused a fair and impartial trial
The American Federation of Labor has
issued an appeal to union men of the
country for 100000 for the defense of
John j. Mcnamara at Los Angeles.
Behind his prosecution the appeal de
clared, Stands a detective agency with
no scruples or hesitancy in manufactur-
ing evidence; and the National Erectors'
association, part of the great corpora
tions OF the country with their millions
and billions OF wealth of power allied
against the cause of labor"
The appeal denounces the Burns de-
tective agency THAT agency" 1t says.
has long been known to have spies in
factories and organizations TO misdirect
the grievances OF workingmen into pre-
maturely provoked conflicts with en-
ployers and to report to corporations the
names OF men who are the most intelli-
gent and active among disconnected
workers and thereby prevent well-de.
fined purpose to secure the redress OF
wrongs"
All unions are requested to subscribe
or contribute. The appeal was signed by
Samuel Gompers. Frank Morrison. presi-
dent and secretary respectively of the
Federation. and the members of the ex-
ecutivc council.