Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1912-12-28
CONVICT 3S IN BIG
DYNAMITE PLOTS
Jury Finds Prominent Labor
Leaders Guilty After
Lengthy Trial.

Frank X. Painter. of Omaha, pulled
stickpin out of his necktie and
taking his purse out of his pocket
handed them to one of his attorneys
James cooney, one of the Chicago
prisoners. sat with outward calm
reading a newspaper while the ver-
diets were being read and threw
down the paper only when his name
was called to step before the court.
Possible punishments vary from any
minimum to a maximum of thirty
nine and one-half years in the dis
cretion of the court.
Each prisoner as found guilty
stands convicted of having in one
instance joined a conspiracy to COM
nit an offense against the United
States government. this being punish
able by two years Imprisonment or
a fine of $4,000, or both. Each pris-
oner also is found guilty of twenty
Ave charges of illegal transportation
OF explosives on interstate passenger
trains. each offense being punishable
by an Imprisonment of eighteen
months or $4,000 fine, or both.
While the cumulated possible pun
ishments are thirty-nine and one-half
years, the court intimated in the
course of the trial he would impose
sentences in accordance with the de-
gree of guilt.
All the overt acts were charged as
being related to the series of dyna-
mite and -glycerine explosions,
including those on the Pacific coast,
as well as those in New England,
which were directed against open
shop structural iron and steel con-
tractors, against whom a strike was
called by the International Iron
Workers Union in 1905.
After receiving their sentences the
prisoners are to be taken to a federal
prison probably at Leavenworth,
Kan. 4 special train probably will be
used.
The end of the historic trials came
at 10 a. M, the jury having been out
since Thursday at p. m.
At that time the jurors entered
Judge Albert B. Anderson's court
room, passed before the forty men on
trial. and indicating the Importance
nf what they were about to reveal
pnly by intensely pale faces, sat
down.
ssGentlemen of the jury, have you
agreed upon verdicts?" asked Judge
Anderson.
we have" said the foreman, rls-
Ing from his seat.
Defendants wives sobbed.
His voice was like a whisper. but it
echoed throughout the courtroom.
The sobbIng of women was heard
from that part of the room where the
wives of the defendants sat.
4 bundle of white papers was
passed from the jury box to Clerk
Noble c. Butler. on these papers was
written the liberty or Imprisonment
for MANY more men than are usually
tried by one jury.
Back in the rear of the courtroom
the suppressed sobbing again sug-
sested agitation.
Everybody remain seated, com
n1anded the United States marshal.
Silence again was restored, save
for the rust1ing of the papers which
Clerk Butler tremblingly held. in his
hands and which he proceeded to-
read.
Ryan's Name First
The first name was Ryan. Clerk
Butler pronounced it and cleared his
throat.
Guilty" he read; 1--WE find the de-
fendant Ryan guilty as charged in
the indictment"
All who could see MIN looked at
RYAN, a grsy-haired man of 81 years
OF age and appearing older, man
who had travelled for the union so
much that he said he had no home,
and, save for two grown sons, had no
fan1ily. Il have furnished room in
Chicago" was his oft-repeated de-
ecription of home.
.Gentenen of the jury, is that
your verdict?"
The answer came from each juror
1T is
Then began the further reading of
the brief message which pronounced
one BY one the fate of the other de-
PENDANTS.
The men were not charged actually
With causing explosions. The only
charges under which they could be
prosecuted by the federal govern
nent were conspiracy and illegal
TRANSPORTATION of explosives. But
the court rule1 that evidence as to
violence was competent as showing
motive
Labor Unions Not on Trial.
sT am not ready to believe that
organized labor yet stands for the
things that have been shown here'
was one of Judge Anderson's state
nents TO the jury This is not a
trial of labor unions, but of union
officials accused of wrong-doing
About thirty wives, with almost as
many children, are separated from
their husbands by the verdlcts.
While the scene was being enacted
In the courtroom, the 4-year-old son
Of William C. Bernhardt, of Cincin-
natl. one of the defendants, was
nlaying in the lobby with a red
PAINTED toy engine which he had re-
ceived for Christmas. He had be-
come the pet of the federal building
and could not understand when told
his father was "going away"
Almost the entire staff of the eXecu-
tive officials of the Ironworkers was
convicted. The only officials not on
trial were j. E. McClory, Cleveland,
now secretary, and Ed Lewis. San
Francisco. q member of the execu-
tive board.
District Attorneys Statement.
Charles w Miller. the United
states district attorney, who prose-
+ cuted for the government, said:
nv