Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-12-08
LABOR REPUDlArEs m'NAMARAs

AHaSIH8 JoUS anu Olu WnaI ne NaS toAu
to do" Va.
LABOR REPUDlATEs M'NAMARAs.
Federation Committee Condemns Vic.
lenes and Scores Burns.
Washington, Dec S.-Branding James
b. and John J. :McNamara as 'recreant
to the good name and high ideals of
labor" and expressing the satisfaction
OF organized labor that the "culprits
have been commensurately punished
for their crimes the Mcnamara ways
and means, committee of the American
Federation of Labor, after q two days
conference here, issued 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 individual men,
ber"
The labor leaders assert that they
will welcome any Investigation whicn
either federal or state courts may un-
dertake."
The statement is signed by every
member Of the Mcnamara committee
except F. NJ. Ryan, president of the In
ternatfona1 Association Of Bridge and
Structural Iron Workers, with which
the convicted Los Angeles Times dyna-
miters were prominently connected Of
f1cially. Mr.. Ryan returned to Indian
apolis yesterday.
Had he remained, however" said
President Gompers positively, II an,
sure Mr.. Ryan would have added his
name. He was called back to Indian
apolis by pressure OF business. He did
not see the statement. but am sure
he is in hearty accord with its senti-
ments."
AS to their knowledge Of the crime TO
which the McNamaras confessed. the
committee in its statement asserts:
Deny Knowledge.
I'VE here and now, individually and
collectively, declare that the first
knowledge or intimation Of their guilt
was conveyed by the press in their con-
fession 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 submitted to the executive council
Of the American Federation Of Labor a.
its meeting to be held at Washington
Jan. 8, 1912"
Further than this Mr.. Gompers would
say nothing in regard to the defense
fund money.
organized labor Of America" the
! statement continues. has no desire tc
condone the crimes Of the McNamaras
It joins In the satisfaction that the
majesty Of the law has been maintained
and the culprits commensurately pun
| ished for their crime"
Blame conditisrs.
Partly condemning the crime Of the
McNamaras, however. the statement
says in the following breath: "And yet
it is an awful commentary on existing
conditions when 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 OF
morally for the crimes of an individual
member. No such moral code or legal
responsibility is placed upon any other
! association of men In our country.
'In so far as we have the right to
speak. in the name Of organized labor
we welcome any investigation which
either federal or state courts may un-
| dertake. The sessions of the conven-
tions 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 correspondence Of the federation
70 M n NIL hnP ~ 4
| who may desire to make q study or an
investigation Of them.
Futiiity Of Violence.
"The men in organized labor in COM
mon with all our people," the commit
tee affirms, "are grieved beyond ex-
preston In words at the loss Of life and
the destruction Of property, not only
in the case under discussion, but In
many other cases (which have occur
| red. We are hurt and humiliated to
think that any man connected with the
labor movement should. have beer
guilty Of either. The lesson this grave
| crime teaches with have its salutary
/ effect. 1t will demonstrate more now
than ever the inlihmanity, as well as
| the fut!!!ty OF resorting to violence In
the effort to right wrongs or to attain
rights"
Take Rap at Burns.
While not defending the crime of the
McNamaras the Committee denounced
kidnapping Of the 'McNamaras. who
they say, were arrested in Russian
style, not American
| The methods Of arrest they find
| "high handed irregularity and tyranni-
cal lawlessness," and w. ]. Burns, the
detective Is the case, Is severely criti-
/, cised.
Organized labor properly expressed
its condemnation OF violence on hear
ing Of the Los Angeles disaster, 1t is
claimed, "The universal condemnation
of a murderous deed in labor circles
ought to be fact SO beyond question:
the statement proceeds, 80 easily as
certainable from accessible records thai
no man with any regard forhis repu-
tation and for his veracity could
DENY It. Violence, brutality. de-
structionr Of life and property are for.
eign to the aims and methods Of or
ganized labor Of America and no in
terest is more severely injured by the
employment Of such methods than thai
Of the workers organized In the labor
movement.
Therefore, quite apart from ths
spirit OF humafiitarianism and justice
which prompts the activities Of the or.
ganixed labor movement. policy and
! hopes for SUCCESS forbid the resort t.
violence. The labor movement and II.
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