Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1912-02-15
President Ryan, Vice Pres.
Butler and Sec'y. Hockin
of Iron Workers Among
First in Custody.
OFFICERS OF TWO
OTHER UNIONS HELD
G. p. Dowd Of Machinists
and S. P. Meadows of CT D
penters Included; so A.
rests to be Made Today

indianapolis, Ind. Feb. 14.--By what
was said to be the most sweeping fed.
eral action Of its kind ever taken. the
! united states government today " II
in few hours arrested majors,
the ntty-four men indicted for all
completely In dynamite consp
spread broadcast over the countr
six years. .&
AT the head of those arrested was
Frank NJ. Ryan, president OF the IN
ternational Association CT Bridge and
Structural Iron Workers. Many other
officers, including Herbert S. Hockin.
second vice president and successor
as the unions secretary.treasurer to-
D.. }. BcNamara, the convicted dyna-
inter, We're arrested with Ryan in
Indianapolis
Reports from all over the country
showed also that five CT the seven iron
workers executive board members
and q half dozen or more members
were taken into custody.
These officials and their co.defenf.
ants are charged with violatins. the
FEDERAL statutes regulating interstate
shipment Of explosives, which result
ed from the activities of the Me-.
Namaras and McManigal "dynanitine
/ crew Who carried dynamite and nitro
glycerine about the country on paasen-
ger trains. 3
All Charged With Conspiracy.
All the defendants are charged with,
consplring to further the series Of 100
explosions which We're directed by
labor union officials against iron and
steel contractors and employees or
non-un1on labor. The explosions caus-
ed the destruction of bridges, viaducts
and buildings and the wrecking OF the
Los Angeles Times building, was an
incident OF the series. Before noon
thirty-six arrests had been made.
The most important move by the de-
PENDANTS on their arrest was to pro.
cure bond for their appearance March
IL. In some instances the bond was
fixed at $4,000 and in the aggregate
the bonds required, it was said. would
exceed 100000.
Ryan and Hockin each gave O.0OO
BOND and were released. John II.
Butler OF Buffalo, N. Y, first vice
president Of the iron workers arrested
here also was released on bond.
On advice Of counsel, Ryan, Hockin
ana Butler declined to make a state.
ment until they had opportunity to
confer
"Mr. Ryan is 81 years old. is under
severe nervous strain and is in no
condition to talk Of his arrest said
Newton M. Harding. attorney for the
iron workers. This is the crisis OF
MS life. When he becomes calmer
may permit him to issue formal
statement"
Hockin Held Chief Of Crew.
In information supplied the govern.
ment Hockin is made to appear the
chief lieutenant Of John J. McNamara
'the boss of the dynamiting crew."
He is charged with having planned ex-
plosions desired by the enemies OF
"open shop" contractors. He is nam
ed by McManigal as one Of the men
who originated the alarm clock scheme
by which explosions were arranged to
occur several hours after the bombs
were set, thus enabling the dynamiters
to get away and establish alibies.
He Is also charged with being the
manager Of the secret stores Of ex-
plosives kept at Rochester, Pa.
Muncie. Ind, Tiftin, Ohio, and Indian
apolis.
McManigals confessions were that
Hockin started him in the dynamiting
business in Detroit in June. 1907; that
Hockin gave him SIS for blowing I'D
| Detroit building, with note saying.
"Compliments Of the executive board
and more to come" that Hockin went
with him to Buffalo and sent him to
many other places; that he, Hockin,
and J. J. Mcnamara established the
explosive store house at Muncie; that
Hockfn visited him in Chicago and
there first showed him the alarm clock
| scheme; that on Hockin's instructions
he went to Boston and New York
did Jobs; that his fees and expei
for explosions were arranged
Hockin and Mcnamara and that III
occasions Hockin himself carried cases
| filed with explosives.
Spurgeon P. Meadows, business
agent of the district council of the
International Brotherhood Of Carpen-
ters and Joiners also was arrested In
indianapolis. He represents one OF
the three labor unions alleged to be
implicated in the conspiracy. The
Off cial OF the other union represented