Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-01-04
FORMER MAYOR IS
CHARGED WITH
NEGLIGENCE
INDIANAPOLIS OFFICIAL
SUSPECTED M'NAMARAS
As Far Back as Two Years Ago
Charles A. Bookwalter Con-
vinced Brothers Were Guilty
of Oynamiting,
IBy Morning Journal Special Leased wire.l

tBy MORNING JOurnai Spttiht Isetheu NNest
Indianapolis. Jan. 3.-DetectiVe
William j. Burns, before leaving late
today for Philadelphia, openly chars 70
ed former Mayor Charles \. Book
walter of this city with negligence Ia
not having prosecuted John l., Me
Namara two years ago ON evidence IN
his possession, INDICATING that officials
Of the International Association OF
Bridge and structural Iron workers
had caused explosions here.
Burns said that the former mayor
dropped the Investigation ana NOT
long afterward was invited TO be
come Il member OF printing frin
doing much work for national labor
unions and in which already Samuel
Gompers. president of The American
Federation of Labor is reported 10
have been Interested.
Bookwalter today denied that
Gompers at any time had been con-
cerned in the printing firm or that he
knew him Intimately. but said that
partners in the iitirm were Phillip
Rappaport counsel for the lnterna-
tional Association of Bridge ana
structural iron Workers, and Hugo
Thorsch, a longtime friend OF Com
pers.
Bookwalter admitted that two years
labor leaders he was convinced of the
guilt Of John j. Mcnamara and the
iron workers union, in connection
with the four explosions on property
of Albert Won Spreckelson, in Octo-
ber. 1909.
"Whv didn't Boolwalter pursue his
investigation queried Burns, eth
er as mayor or as a private citizen, at
ter ne retired from office shortly al
terward ? If he knew, as ne says ne
did. that John j. Mcnamara and the
iron workers were dynamiting prop
ertv of non union contractors, II was
his duty to prosecute or ten the pun
lie what he knew. II he had done so,
scores of subsequent explosions might
have been prevented.
The detective asserted that he could
not al this time discuss the details OF
Bookwaiter's alleged relations with
Gompers or the printing establish
ment. but said that all Information
developed in his investigation would
be turned over to the government
prosecutors. The federal grand jury
resumed today its inquiry into the al
legged dynamiting plot of national eN-
tent.
For the Won Spreckelson explosions
the dynamite is presumed to have
been brought from Bloomvi1e. ohio.
People who defeat the ends of JUS
tice,' said Burns. ARE guilty with
those who were engaged actively IN a
conspiracy TO violate laws.
Hugo Torsch. partner OF Book
walter, declared he would give Detec-
tive Buns free access to the books
and records of the company
II never have had business rela-
tions with Samuel Gompors,' said
Torsch. although ! have obtained
large printing contracts with labor
unions II is true that before | came
to this city from Philadelphia, sew
eraI years ago, ! edited a labor news
paper. but that Is my only direct per-
sonal connection with the labor union
movement ! cannot imagine the
source of allegations that | have been
associated with Samuel Gompers. |
have never even been successful IN
getting a printing contract from him.
Mr.. Bookwalter became Interested In
this firm because he wished To engage
i'm the business and he was "A desirable
partner.
Bookwnlter stated that his reason
for dropping the dynamiting investl-
CATION was that he personally had mn
anced it and when his term of ONCE
as mayor expired he felt that his pub
lie interest In II was ended.
A number of important witnesses
.arr expected to testify tomorrow.
Detective Burns will return here Fri
dav 10 give his testimony.
Mr.. Fredoricks probably VIII BE-
called upon to outline the California
end Of the conspiracy within the next
two days.