The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-04
Burns Criticises Bookwalter

Burns Criticises B0Okwalter .hy didn't Bookwalter pursue his inves- "why didn't Bookwalter pursue his inves- tigation?" queried, Burns, -'either as
 mayor or as a private citizen after he re- celved further evidence shortly after wards. He knew as he did that John | McNamara and the iron workers were dynamiting property of union con- tractors, it was his duty to prosecute or tell the public what he knew. If he had
 done so scores of subsequent explosions might have been prevented.
 Mr. Burns asserted that he could not at this time discuss the details of Book walters alleged relations with Gompers or the printing establishment but said that all information developed in his investiga- tion would be turned over to the govern ment prosecutors. The federal grand jury
 resumed today it's inquiry into the alleged dynamting plot of national wide extent Hugo Thorsch, partner of Bookwaiter,
 declared he would give Detectives Burns free access to the books and records of the company q never had business re- lations with Samuel Gompers,' said Thorsch though l have obtained large printing contracts with labor unions It is true that before I came to thls city
 from Philadelphia seven years ago, edited a labor newspaper. I cannot imag-
 inc the source of allegations that l have been associated with Samuel Gompers. l
 have never even been successful in get
 ting a printing contract from him. MT
 BoolSwalter came into this firm because he wished to engage in the business and he was desirable partner"
 Bookwalter, in turn, stated that his reason for dropping the dynamite investi-
 gation was that he personally had H.
 nanced it and when his term of office as
 mayor expired he felt that his public in terest in it was ended.
 Washington January s.-Presdent Gompers of the Federation of Labor said today: No person. living or dead, made such a statement to me or ever gave
 hint that J. J. McNamara or any one else was engaged in dynamite explosion or dynamite campaign.
 Gompers Implicated National labor officials affiliated with Samuel Gompers and the American Fed
 eration of Labor were informed two years ago by Charles A. Bookwalter, who, as mayor at that time, conducted secret investigation. that John J. McNamara mad directed a series of dynamite explosions. This was made known by Bookwalter when he was informed that the govern ment's investigation embraced an inquiry into the circumstances of the four explo" sions directed against Albert Won Spreck :. elsen, a general contractor on account of
 labor troubles.
 Bookwalter Will Testify Bookwalter declared that he expected to be subpoenaed by the federal grand jury now in session here. He said he
 would bare all the details of the munich pal investigation, which satisfied him that
 John J. McNamara was the conspiring
 executive who caused the explosions in this vicinity.
 Bookwalter even said that he himself
 had told John J. McNamara of the strong
 suspicion against him, and that in his conversaficns with a score of labor lead CTS he had placed the responsibility upon the ironwurkers' union.
 We were on street car together one day shortly after the von Spreckelsen ex- plosion in October, 19o9.' said Bookwal- ter, when John J.. whom I know very well, asked f1e in taunting way if i
 had learned who blew up the buildings.
 was irritated those days because I my self had received menacing letters and had to have guard at my home for to
 days. so I answered rather hotly, Yes,
 and could put my hand on one of them
 without leaving the spot
 Asked whether he told any one else be- side McNamara of what his investiga- ton had disclosed. witness said: Told Leaders
 ..Yes. I told score of labor leaders what I knew and that the iron wof kers were to blame. You see. I know all the labor union boys"
 What did they say when you blamed the iron workers?"
 There. are lots of good men in union ilabor and they always have denounced acts of violence" replied witness. ''I think some of them said 1t was a damned shame.''
 Did any of these men tell Mr Comp CTS that suspicion pointed strongly to the guilt of the iron workers?'' ''I don't know whether they tod him
 6CONTINURD ON FACE sl