New-York tribune., 1912-08-31
WOOL TRUST HEAD IS
HELD FOR CONSPIRACY
Arrest Of William M. Wood, of
B.stcn, on Charge of Being
Concerned in Dynamite Plot.
PLACED UNDER $1,000 BAIL
He Is Accused of Planting Ex-
plosives in Lawrence, Mass,
Last Winter to Dis
credit Strikers There.

BE ,ton. Aug ga charge Of conspir-
Ing I'm the planting" OF dynamite in
Lawrence during the great textile strike
In that city last winter. with the inten-
ton of discrediting the strikers 10y indi-
eating that the explosive was intended TO
blow up mill property, was laid at the
door Of William VI. Wood, president of
the American Wooden Company, in an in
dictment warrant upon which he was ar
rested here to-day. Mr.. Wood, who Is
one Of the most prominent manufacturers
Of woollen goods in the country, was
quickly released on 5000 bail 10 appear
in court next week.
The indictment against Mr.. Wood was
one OF three returned by the Suffolk
County grand jury yesterday in connec-
ton with its investigation of the alleged
conspiracy. Detectives connected with
the Office Of District Attorney Joseph c.
Peletier who presented the evidence to
the grand jury. to-day visited the Brook
line home OF q prominent Boston husi-
ness man. who is named in one of the
indictments. He was found to be III, and
with the understanding that he is TO sur
render next week service OF the indict-
nTent against him was not made.
The third person against whom an in
dfctment was returned Dennis J. Collins,
Of Cambridge. was arrested yesterday,
and is in Jail In default of bail,
District Attorney PelIetier said to-
night that ne believed he had a strong
case in support Of the indictments
Wood at Police Headquarters.
President Wood learned yesterday that
lie had been indicted IN connection with
the Lawrence investigation, and at once
consulted his counsel eX-Representauve
Samuel l.. Powers. II was arranged that
the two should appear at police head
quarters and at the courthouse this
forenoon. Mr. Wood and Mr.. Powers
arrived at Pemberton Square in an auto
mobile and went Immediately to the
Bureau of Criminal Investigation. where
tho naners in the case were served.
After remaining ten minutes at tho
Bureau Of Criminal Investigation Fres!-
dent Wood and the lawyer Went 70 'he
office of District Attorney Joseph Z. Pei
letter. Mr. Peletier was not in' but tho
assistant district attorney was present
and conferred at length with Mr.. WOOD
and his attorney. Mr.. WOOD ola hot
annear disturbed during the proceedings
AZ tho conclusion Of his conference with
the assistant district attorney MT WOO"
made the following statement:
"OF course. ! am greatly surprised by
,he action OF the grand jury. ! cannot
conceive what information could have
heen presented to the jurors which IN any
yrsv connected me with the So-called oE-
nonite plot. / certainly had no connec-
ton with Il. and this fact will be FUZZY
established al the proper time TO the satls-
faction OF the public and even the DIS
trict Attorney. Beyond this have moth
ing TO say.
The first public knowledge that the SUI
rolk County authorities had taken action
in connection with the Lawrence dyna-
mite case came Tuesday last II was
then learned that District Attorney Pei
letter had directed the grand jury TO in
yestigate reports that conspiracy TO Sc
crete dynamite in Lawrence had been
formed by certain persons, including Bos-
ron men. for the alleged purpose of lead
ing the public to think that members Of
labor unions were using dynamite In their
conduct of the strike. Several officials
Of the Lawrence mills. with head ofnces
in this city, were summoned 10 give tes-
timony before the grand jury Tuesday.
Suicide of a Builder,
on the same day Ernest Pitman. a
contractor and builder. who constructed
the Wood Worsted Mills. of the American
Wooden Company. at Lawrence. com
rnitted suicide at his home In Andover,
by shooting. District Attorney Pelletier
later said that Pitman had talked with
him concerning the alleged planting OF
dynamite In Lawrence last winter and
that he had been summoned to testify be-
fore the grand Jury as to what he knew
OF the matter.
Pitman left no note or other word as 20
his reason for shooting himself. Some Of
his friends attributed the suicide 10 worry
over financial affairs. while others eX-
pressed the belief that he had killed him
self rather than testify regarding the dy-
Mantle case.
Yesterday the grand jury returned two
indictrnents-both secret. Dennis Collins.
q Cambridge dog fancier, was named In
one OF the indictments. charged with hav-
ing transported dynamite unlawfully and
with having placed the explosive In a
railroad passenger car for transportation.
Earlier in the day Collins had appeared
before the grand jury. and shortly after
the indictments had been handed down
ne WAS arrested He was held in 81 800
ball for a hearing next Tuesday. and in
default OF bail was taken to the county
jail.
The discovery OF dynamite In a Syrian
lodging house, a cobbier's shop and a
cemetery in Lawrence last January. while
the textile strike was at It's height. caused
a sensation. The strike leaders denied
that they had any intention of using an
explosive to further their plans
Soon afterward John J. Breen. Law
renee undertaken. was arrested on a
charge OF having unlawfully placed the
dynamite In the places where II was
found Breen was found guilty and fined
$500
Penalty, Three Years in Jail.
The maximum penalty in the event OF
the conviction OF any Of the defendants
on the conspiracy charge is three years
imprisonment In the House of Correction
on each OF six counts contained In the