New-York tribune., 1912-02-18
D|CTAGRAPH BETRAYS
IRONWORKERS' SECRETS
instrument Hidden in Ryan's
Desk Reveals Daily Talk OF
Indicted Union Men.
WAS THERE FOR MONTHS
Persecution Gets Complete Tran
script of Consultations Over
Alleged Dynamite
Plots.

indianapolis. Feb. 17.-Whatever Frank
a, Rvan and other indicted union OFF,
.,o,s have said in their office about the
svnannite conspiracy since last Octooer
=. alleged 10 have been learned by the
-ovsrnment through a dictagraph dis
eovsred to-day in the headquarters o.
~. International Association of Bridge
.,d structural Iron Workers.
The dictagraph, hidden under a drawer
=, desk about which Ryan, the presi-
d.nt. Herbert S. Hockin. the secretary
treasurer. and ]. T. Butler. first vice
president. and other officials conferred
concerning their defence and pleas. is
sa,d 10 have enabled two government
,tenographers in g room below to take
daily reports Of the conversations.
The use of the dictagraph was dis
closed to-day when the government de-
cided Il was no longer of value. because
a woman clerk in Ryan's office was
heard to say: Well, suppose they are
hearing now whatever we say" That.
with statements by Ryan, convinced As
slstsnt District Attorney Clarence Mich
OILS that the dictagraph was no longer
useful.
The dictagraph was hidden in the desk
once used by ]. J. Mcnamara, the dyna-
miter. and upon which he is alleged to
have arranged his alarm clock scheme
for regulating the time at which bombs
were 10 be set Off
The discovery of the dictagraph fol-
lowed soon after the government had
received intimations that some Of the
know" About District Attorney Charles
w. Millers Office 1t was said something
had been expected" but Mr.. Miller de-
clines 10 say what it was.
Sayings Of Hookin and Ryan.
Mr.. Miller said the dictagraph had
worked satisfactorily for months. and
many volumes Of stenographic notes had
been taken and would be used at the
trials The instrument was still work
ing to-day, when the following was re-
corded:
Womans voice-I wonder If one OF those
wires goes to the Jail, and whether they
are listening 10 us now2
Voice-I suppose So I wish I could find
out where that sounding board Is
Hocktn-Say, Ryan, do you know what
dietagraph looks like?
Ryan-It's about as big as a hat. I am
told, but l never saw one.
Hockin-I hear there IL one on exhibition
IN this city and believe Will 90 and take
look at II.
After that Mr.. Nichols said he had no
doubt that Ryan knew of the dicta-
graph. AS further showing the opera
tion Of the dictagraph. Mr.. Nichols gave
out the following sample OF a converse
tion known 10 have taken place last
Wednesday, soon after the arrests were
made. -
Hockin-Go right in. boys I'll be there in
q minute
Voice evidently reporter)-Will all these
men be able 10 get bond?
Hockn-We hope so, but we have no
money TO furnish
Voice-IIow much money is there in the
tronworkeTs' trea Sury?
Hockin-About $4,000, 1 thin
Voice-By the way. IS McNsnara's pict-
ure in this group?
Hockin-Yes that's him right there.
Noice--Is IL your idea the government
will paw the expense OF these men coming
to Indianapolis on March u for arraign-
ment?
Hockin-Well. now that puts an idea into
my head; l hadn't thought about that. 1t
beats the devil how there are so many
things 20 think about II seems the govern
nent ought to.