Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-17
District Attorney Miller
Intimates Surprise in
Dynamite Cases.
PLAN TRIALS IN APRIL
Counsel for Defendants Holds
Conference With Govern
ment Prosecutor.

AhNAN1NRCAGT AA4Nsf a NSs ~'s
fact that for days the government
has had a dictagraph in the Office
of the International Association OF
Bridge and Structural Iron Workers I
here and has taken reports of conyer-
sations OF President Ryan and others
in connection with the dynamite con-
spiracy, became known today. The !
government agents this afternoon, af-
ter hearing the iron workers officials /
were aware of the dictagraph. entered |
Ryan's Office and took out the instru- .
ment, which had been attached to the |
end OF a drawer in a desk. Ryan de- ,
clared he was not aware his conversa- !
tions were being overheard.
CONVERSATIONS TAKEN.
The wires from the dictagraph
we're connected with down town Of
fee and two stenographers recorded
what was said by Ryan and his as
sociates. II is said the government
has reports Of conversations between
Ryan, Vice Presidents Hockin and
Butler and their attorneys.
indianapolis, Ind, Feb. 17.-Intima-
tions" were said to have been received
by the government that some of the
defendants in the dynamite conspiracy
cases were preparing TO tell all they
know"
The statements followed the govern
ment's charges that 10000 letters and
kilograms taken from the Information
al Association OF Bridge and Struc-
--rtffTff iron WorkvrpxsfoTrd' tffas 1sf'rfi3r
NJ. Ryan, the president, Herbert S.
Hockin, the second vice president, and
members OF the executive board and
business agents conducted the dyna-
mite plots through the mail, pointed
out Jobs" to be blown up. and main
tanned a system of destruction against
nonunion iron and steel contractors.
Asked II any negotiations had been
opened with him concerning the de-
PENDANTS. United States District Attor-
ney Miller said:
IL wouldn't be surprised II II is
shown soon that something like that
had happened"
w. n. Harding. counsel for Ryan
and the international officials of the
iron workers, held long conference
with Mr.. Miller. but it was not dis
closed what was considered. The
trials probably will be early in May.
ALLEGED ASSIGNMENTS OF JOBS.
Ortie +. McManigals confession OF
the dynamitng he did under the di-
rection of J. J. Mcnamara is said by
District Attorney Miller to be corrob-
GRATED by the letters embraced in the
indictment charging "unconsummated
acts Of conspiracy"
Ryan's letter. written from New
York in April. 1910. is cited in the IN
dictment as showing he instructed
Henry w. Legleitner. now OF Denver,
10 do certain Jobs" John T. Butler,
the first vice president Of the union,
TO do Jobs" at Buffalo and Roches-
ter. n. Y; Hockin TO do Jobs" at
Cleveland, Detroit. Davenport, Iowa,
and Cincinnati: Paul ]. Morrin, st.
Louis, TO do Job" at Mount Vernon,
Ill, and Frank c. Webb of New York
TO do 'jobs" a. Worcester. Mass.
The indictments allege that the
Job at Mount Vernon, Ill, was dyna-
mited on the night OF April 10; that
the Davenport Job under construc-
ton by the company referred to by
Ryan, was dynamited on June 4; that
the Peoria Job" was dynamited on
June 3: that the Cleveland ''job' was
dynamited on June %; that the Pitts
burgh lob" was dynamited on July
rs; that a bridge was dynamited at
Kansas City on Aug. %.
McMANIGAL THE STAR WITNESS.
The testimony OF McManigal. of
many witnesses from the cities in
which the explosions occurred. and OF
members of crews OF trains upon
which explosives were carried will be
found 10 dovetal exactly with the let
ters alleged TO show the unconsum-
mated acts" said Mr.. Miller BE
cause McManigal was the most active
agent OF the dynamiters. the govern
ment will rely largely upon his testi-
mony for corroboratiye evidence at
the trials.
Others not named in the indict-
ments are pointed TO as having been
connected with the plot. and early de
yelopments may bring their identity
forward. but at present we are salts
fed to try those against whom We are
sure We have conclusive evidence"
Concerning the letters quoted in the
indictment Mr.. Ryan said:
1T IS unfair for the government 70
draw conclusions that those letters
were written TO promote crime. II
a11 person reads all OF them he will