The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-01-04
DETECTIVE BURNS
ACCUSES MAYOR
OF GUILT
Says BOOkwalter Knew OF
Dynamite Crimes
BO0KWAL TER DENIES CHARGE
Burns Says the Former Mayor Had
knowledge Of McNamara's Crimes
TWO Years Ago
BOOKWALTER DENIES CHARGE

indianapolis, Jan. Adjective
William j. Burns before leaving here
Yesterday for Philadelphia, openly
charged ex-Mayor Charles A. Book
walter of indianapolis with negli-
gence in not having prosecuted John
j. Mcnamara two years ago, on evil
dence in his possession indicating
that officials of the international as
ISOLATION of bridge and structural
iron workers caused dynamite explos-
ions at Indianapolis. Burns said
that the former mayor dropped the
investigation and not long afterward
was invited to become member OF
a printing firm which did much work
for national labor unions and in
which already Samuel Gompers, pres
ident of the American federation, is
reported to have been interested.
Bookwalter denied in an interview
yesterday that Gompers was at any
time concerned with the printing
firm or that he knew him intimately,
but he said that partners in the firm
were Leo NJ. Rappaport, counsel for
the international association OF
bridge and structural iron workers,
and Hugo Thorsch. long a friend OF
Gompers. Bookwalter admitted that
two years ago he had told number
OF prominent national labor leaders
that he was convinced of the compile
ity of John j. Mcnamara and the
iron workers union in the four ex-
plosions on property Of Albert Won
Spreckelsen, in October, 1909
"Why didn't Bookwalter pursue his
Investigation queried Burns,
either as mayor or as a private citi
zen after he retired from Office short
~ afterward? II he had done so
scores of explosions might have been
prevented" The detective said that
all information gathered by his inyes-
tigation would be turned over to the
government prosecutors for any dis
position which they might choose to
make The federal grand jury re-
sumed at indianapolis yesterday It's
inquiry into the alleged national dyn-
amIting plot.
Tugo Thorsch, Bookwalter's part
ner. said he would give Burns free
access to the books and records Of
the company. Il never have haC
business relations with Samuel Com
pers," said Thorsch. though | have
obtained large printing contracts
with labor unions. Mr.. Bookwaltel
came into this firm because he wish
ed to engage In the business and h'
was a desirable partner"
Mr. Bookwalter said that his rea
son for dropping the dynamiting in
vestigation was that he PERSONAL.
financed it and when his term Of Of
fee as mayor expired he felt that hi
public interest in It was dead
A consultation was held yesterda
between United States District AZ
torney Charles w Miller, in charg
of the governments inquiry at India
napolis; Oscar Lawler, special GOV
eminent prosecutor; District Attol
ney John ID. Fredericks of Los Al
geles county, Cal, who prosecute
the McNamaras; and Walter Drew
counsel for the national erectorl
association, II is understood this
the governments case against the a
, legged conspirators was mapped on
A number Of important witnesses al
I expected to testify today. Detectiy
Burns and Mr. Fredericks will b
among the witnesses later on.