The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-10-01
M'MAN|GAL IS Chief WITNESS
Evidence In M'Namara Case Also
Will be Available to the
Prosecution
TRIAL WILL LAST FOR WEEKS

indianapolis, Ind. oct. l.-whoever
participated with tine Mcnamara
brothers in the series of dynamite and
nitroglycerine explosions which pre-
ceded and followed the wrecking OF
the Los Angeles Times building, Oct
1, 1910, when 21 persons were killed
the government hopes TO disclose In
the trial which began today before
Judge A b. Anderson of f!fty-one
men.
At the head Of the list of defend
ants, who thus are brought into court
exactly two years after the Los An
seles disaster. are:
Frank NJ. Ryan. president of the
International Association OF Bridge
and Structural iron workers.
Ortie T.. McManigal. once known as
u. w McGraw" on the Pacific coast. a
confessed dynamiter and accomplice
of the Mcnamara brothers, who has
been kept in custody as a witness for
the prosecution ever since his arrest
in Detroit year ago last April
Herbert S. Hockin, successor of John
Mcnamara as secretary treasurer OF
the union, whom McManlgai accuses
of being the organizer of the "dyna-
hitting crew." and one of the origin
ators of the alarm clock scheme by
which explosions were set off several
hours after the mine was placed.
Union Officials Involved.
Most of the other defendants are
present or former union officials
whom the government charges were
linked together IN conspiracy by
an extensive correspondence from
1905 to 1911. during which time more
than 100 explosions in states scatter
ed from Massachusetts to California
occurred in works under construction
by employers of non-union labor.
Fifty-four men were indicted last
February, but John j. McCray Wheel
ing. w Va, never has been located
and the Mcnamara brothers are in
prison in California.
The courtroom which probably for
weeks will be the scene of the trial,
has long been ready. Every precau-
tion has been taken to secure quiet
The windows of the small room, locat-
ed on on autside corner Of the second
floor of the federal building, have been
heavily curtained to exclude the day.
light. Recently Judge Anderson had
the walls and ceiling thickly padded
with felt to improve the sound condi-
tions.
United States Senator John w.
Kern has been retained as counsel for
the defendants. while the government
will be represented by District At
torney Charles w. Miller and his as
sistant.
Sixteen defendants were placed un-
der $4,000 bonds each, TO appear for
trial and the others each under $4,000
bonds. making an aggregate in bonds
of $35O,O0o.
MeNamara Evidence Available.
Witnesses are 10 be called from
many parts Of the country. While II
is not the intention OF the government
10 go thoroughly into the cases which
resulted in the imprisonment of the
McNamaras, all that part OF the evi-
dence OF the Pacific coast explosions
as pertains to the Illegal interstate
shipment Of explosives has been made
available to District Attorney Miller.
Each Of the 32 indictments return
cd last February contain charges
against all of the defendants. and the
charges are embraced in three groups.
They are.
Transporting dynamite and nitro
glycerine In passenger trains from one
state to another; as Ortie r McMan-
ieal confessed was done when these
explosives were carried In suit cases
from hiding places at Muncie, Ind;
Rochester. Pa; THIN, o.; and Indian
apolis. to cities where Jobs" were TO
be blown up.
Conspiring to violate interstate reg
ulations relative to explosives
Concealing knowledge of the con-
spiracy or abetting the illegal trans
portation OF explosives.
Most Of the explosions OF which the
government has made a record we're
directed against n embers OF the Ma