The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-04
kNEW GUILTY ONES
IN DYNAMITE PLOT.
Mayor Of Indianapolis
Failed to Prosecute
McNamaras.
DETECTIVE BURNS
MAKES THE CHARGE
Former City Official Admits
His Investigation Disclosed
Who Were Responsible for
Destruction of Non-Union
Buildings-A G ain Init
mated Gonpers Knew.

Indianapolis. Ind, January 3,--De-
ing lato to-day for Philadelphia, open
iy charged former Mayor Charles A.
Bookwal,er. OF this city, with ncgli-
Hence in not having prosecuted john
j. Mcnamara two years ago on owl
dence in his possession indica ting that
officials Of the international AsBoca-
tion or Bridge and Structural Iron
Workers had caused dynamite explo-
a!ons here.
Burns declared that the former
Mayor dropped the investigation. and
not long afterward WAS invited to be-
come member OF printing Irm
doing much work FOR national labor
unions. and in which samuel Gompers,
president Of tie American Federation
is reported 10 him TO have been Inter-
osted,
B0okwaitcr. in AN interview to-day
denied that Gompers at any time had
been concerned In the printing firm or
that he knew him intimately. but said
that partners In the firm were Leo VI.
Rappaport. counsel tor the Intcrna-
tionai Associa tion of Bridge and Struc-
tural Iron Workers. and Hugo Thorsch
long time friend OF Gompcrs.
Dookwaltcr admitted that two years
ago he mad told score OF prominent
national labor leaders afiliatci with
Sainncll Gompers and the American
Federation OF Labor that he was con-
viaccd OF the guilt OF John j. McSa-
mara ana the iron workers union lii
connection with the four explosions on
property or Albert Won Sprcckclsen, in
october. 1909
~ NE III
Investisat!on?" quericd Burns, either
as Mayor or as A private citizen after
hc retired from once shortly after
wards? II he knew. as ne says nc did.
that John J. Mcnamara ana the iron
WORKERS were dynamiting property OF
non-union contractors, ii was his duty
10 prosecute or tell the public what he
knew. If he hud done so. scores OF
subsequent explosions might have been
prevented"
The detective said that all informa-
lion developed in his investigat ton
would be turned over TO the govern
ment prosecutors. The Federal grand
jury resumed to-day It's inquiry into
the alleged dynamiting plot of national
extent.
For the Won Spreckolsen explosions
the dynamite is presumed TO have been
brough, from, Bloomvillc. O.
People who defeat the ends of JUS
tica." he said. are guilty with those
who were actively engaged in con-
sp!racy to violate laws"
Hugo Thorsch. partner of Bookwal-
ter. declared he would give Detective
Burns free access TO the books and
records of the company.
II never have had business relations
with Samuel Crompers," said Tnorsch
though ] have obtained large print.
ms contracts with labor unions. Mr.
trf ~
cause ne wished TO engage in the bust
ness. and he was BILE partner"
Why IIe Dropped II.
Bookwalter, In turn. stated that his
reason for dropping the dynamlting
investigation was that he personally
had financed II, and when his term OF
Office as Mayor expired he felt that his
public interest in 1t was ended.
I'VE were on n street car together
one day shortly after the Won Sprcck-
elsen explosions in October, 1909" said
Bookwalter to-day. when John j.,
whom ] knew very we'll asked me in
haunting way IL had learned who
blew UP the buildings. 1 was irritated
those days because 1 myself had re-
ceived threatening letters. and had to
have guard at my house for sixty
days. so answered rather hotly, "Yes.
and could put my hand on one of
them without leaving this car"
Asked whether he told any one else
beside Mcnamara of what his investi-
CATION had disclosed, nc said:
YES. ] told score OF labor leaders
what knew. and that the iron work
crs were to blame"
What did they say when you blamed
the iron workers."
II think some of them said II was
id shame"
did any Of these men tell Mr.. Com.
pcrs that suspicion pointed strongly
to the guilt of tho iron workcrs?n
II don't know whether they told him
or not, but Sam Gompers Is one of tho
best informed men in this country"
Bookwalter said that Gompcrs yis-
tied indianapolis several times subse-
Quent to his own conversation with
the labor leaders, both bcfo.e and al
ter the McNamaras were arrested. and
that he (Bookwalter) met C;ompers
himself twice while with labor union
men, hut that no reference was made
In his presence 10 the explosions.
Bookwaltor was then told that In.
vestigation was being made as to
whether no had Informed Gompcrs. He
denied TINT he was intimate enough
to have discussed the question because
of an alleged business association.
"Its truc that my partner, l5uro
Thorsch. is Il close friend of Mr. Com
pcrs. having known him for twenty
years." said Bookwaltcr.
DO you think Mr.. Gompers knew
willis these explosions were going on
who was responsible for .hem?'
General of Great Army.
"Gomrers IS general OF great ar.
and like q general he did not inquire
when any of his men we're engaging
in guerilla warfare. But IL this were
lContInued on Seventh Pagc.1