Las Vegas optic., 1912-02-07

plOSlOnS OF dynamite, at points scat
tered over II states, and covering a
period from the summer of 1906 to
October 16, 1911, when dynamite was
found beneath bridge near Santa
Barbara, Calf, just before President
Taft's special train passed over it,
were inquired into by the federal
grand jury which has investigated
what the government has regarded as
a nationwide. dynamite conspiracy
and yesterday returned over, 80 in
dictments.
1t has been the theory of the gov
ernment that all of these explosions
were intended to intimidate employ
ers and non-union workngmen with
the general intent to abolish the so
called open shop" and compel sub
mission to the demands of certain la
Dor organizations, more particularly
the International Union OF the Bridge
and Structural Iron Workers.
Tho states in which explosions oc-
currel were Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Pelnsy ylvania, New York, New Jer-
sey Maryland, Connecticut, Massa-
chuselts, Michigan, Wisconsin, Mis-
souri,, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, Califor-
mia and Washington. Ohio, with 20
explosions, had more than any other
one state. Illinois, Indiana and New
York follow in order in respect of the
number of the explosions.
There were two explosion in 1905;
nine in 1906; six in 1907; 26 in 1908;
20 in 1909; 25 in 1910, and 13 in 1911.
These figures are exclusive of the ex-
plosion which wrecked the Los An
geles Times plant, and resulted in
the confessions and Imprisonment of
the brothers John j. and James b.
Mcnamara. John j. Mcnamara was
secretary-treasurer OF the Information
al Association of Bridge and Structur-
al Iron Workers.
The preliminary exhibit of facts and
allegations about the explosions and
their supposed origin was gathered
and presented to the federal authoai-
ties by taie National Erectors' asso-
citation, an organization OF iron and
steel manufacturers who had declared
for the open shop" After the ex-
plosions in 1905, the Erectors asso-
citation was formed, and in May, 1906,
after declaring an organization for
the open shop" engaged detectives
to seek out the identity of those re.
sponsible for the explosions.
One of the first instances of the find
ing of hidden explosives occurred be-
fore the erectors organized and fol
lowed AN attempt to blow up build
ing East Twentytthird street, New
York City. Two men were convict
ed One of them confessed to hav-
ing received $3.50 on one occasion for
a Job" and 500 for cutting a cable
He told of the location of 100 one
pound sticks of dynamite, which sub
sequently were found in the Jersey
Meadows and in the sands at the foot
of East Twenty-fourth street.
The erectors continued their investi-
cations until the spring of 1911, but
while the detectives were working in
nj thn 4
with more frequency in others. More
than dozen viaducts, bridges, build.
lngs and other construction work, all
being erected by firms employing non.
union labor, had been blown up be-
fore Ortie E. McManigal appeared
on the scene, and before he bagan to
work with John j. and James B. Nc
Namara as a professional dynamiter
The investigation of the dynamite
conspiracy, after the pleas of guilty
mad been made by the Mcnamara
Droohers, was continued, to ascertain
who else, if anyone, participated in or
gave financial support to the crimes.
The chief explosions, or attempts,
which were given special attention by
the federal grand jury, we're as fol-
lows:
1905
Summer-Miller's Falls. Mass
American Bridge Co.; railroad bridge
(Attempt)
Summer-New Haven, Conn; Amer.
lean Bridge Co.; bridge. (Attempt)
1906
January 19.-New York City; Post
& McCord building, East Twenty-third
street (attempt); two men convicted; :;
100 pounds of dynamite later found
in Jersey Meadows and in sand at the
foot of East Twenty-fourth street.
March 12- Cleveland, o.; American
Bridge Co.; hotel (Attempt)
April 2-Cleveland, o.; American
Bridge Co.; hotel. (Attempt)
April 2.-Cleveland, o.; American
Bridge Co.; Arcade building. (At-