The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-21
Witness Tells Damaging Story
on f. E. AtteauX.
PAID $500 TO DO THE JOB
Undertaken Breen Says He Was
Paid a Good Price.
Sticks of "Julce" were
Wrapped in Bundles.

connect President W1lIlam NJ "oou
of the American Woolen company and
Frederick E. Atteaux, with the alleged
conspiracy to discredit striking textile
workers at Lawrence by planting
dynamite in buildings occupied by
strikers in that city in January 1917
the prosecution called John j. Breen'
a Lawrence undertaken to the wit
ness stand today.
Rreen. who was member of the
Lawrence school committee when the
dynamite was found, was fined $500
in the Essex court several months ago
upon conviction of unlawfully hiding
the explosive
Testimony that Breen had paid him
$50 for planting" the dynamite was
given Yesterday by Dennis j. collins,
teaux, who turned states evidence. HIS
testimony did not connect either WOOD
or AtteauX with the alleged consplr-
acy.
Anticipating that Breen might give
sensational testimony, a great crowd
tried to gain admission to the court
room today, but the attendance was
limited strictly to witnesses, attorneys
and a few holders of passes issued Dy
the district attorney or the sheriff
The first testimony connecting
either of the defendants with the dy-
Mantle, was given by John ]. Breen,
when he took the stand this morning.
He testified bluntly that AtteauX had
asked him if he could obtain some
dynamite.
that he knew both Collins and At
teaux. In January 1912, the month
of the textile strike, he met AtteauX
at the latter's office in response to
telephone request. This was a feW
days before the dynamite episode.
The call lasted two hours the wit
l, Trrar~c-s 2 ion VX-a
regard to the Lawrence strike.
First Meeting in Office.
"Atteaux said he was glad to see L
was interested in keeping the strik-
ing element quiet" said Breen.
1.-THE next time I saw him, was on
January 19. 1 went to report the con-
dition of things to him. The conver-
sation was about the strike condition
I said affairs at the mills were get
ting pretty hot. I added, If was
fighting those fellows I'd fight them
by their own methods What do you
mean p he said. Dynamite, dynamite
or anything else 1 said
"sCould you get some dynamite?' he
asked. I said NO. Then he suggested
that perhaps Mr.. Pittman might get
some.'
The Pittman mentioned by the wit
ness was Ernest r. Pittman, a builder
with whom the state alleges Wood,
Atteaux and Collins conspired- Pitt
man committed suicide on the day he
was subpoenaed to appear as the wit
ness before the grand jury which was
investigating the alleged dynamite
plot.
"Atteaux telephoned to Pittman,"
Breen continued, land an hour later
Pittman arrived at Atteaux's office.
"Atteaux said Excuse US john and
he took Pittman into the corridor. Pitt
man returned in about three minutes
and said to me. Do you think you can
do this business?' and 1 said Yes, sir.
Had to Hire Helper.
Il am not sure that Atteaux was
present at the time. Pittman said to
me. III get some. Where can 1 tele
phone you?' l told him. Atteaux came
in after Pittman left and said to me,
We'll. you can't do this for nothing
/ said No, 1 will have to hire some
one to help me-
g How much do you need?' he ask
ed. Will $500 be enough?' 1 told him
that it would be enough. Atteaux then
asked me about the police and 1 told
him that Inspector Rooney was
friend of mine and would never sus-
pect me when gave him the tip about
the dynamite. Atteaux said he had no
money with him, but would give it to
me at o'clock
Breen told of meeting Collins and of
asking Collins to go to Lawrence with
him. Later he met Atteaux at a street
corner. AtteauX got out of taxicab
and said:
Z" Follow me, john L followed him."
continued Breen, land he dropped
package. As I picked it up he said:
Don't say 1 never gave you any
thing When I opened the package 1
found it contained $780,
Breen made a second trip to the street
corner, this time with Collins.
Gave Up a Bundle
Il stood on the corner said the
witness, until Pitman came up. He
took me down the street and intro
duced me to a Mr.. Rice. Mr. Rice
has the package for you,'' he said. II
took the bundle and said to Mr.. Rice:
80, What danger is there with
this?' he said.
''None; it's frozen solid
L carried the bundle up to the
corner where Collins was waiting in a
doorway. 1 said to him: Here's the
dynamite. Be careful even if Mr.
Rice does say there is no danger -
Breen said he and Collins took
a train for Lawrence, where they went
to Breen's rooms. Here Collins open-
ed the bundle and made smaller pack
ages of the contents. On the stand
yesterday Collins who has turned
states evidence gave a similar version
of the disposition of the dynamite in
the package contained dynamite He
declared Breen told him only that if
was Juice
Breen saw the dynamite sticks
wrapped in small bundles, but did not
see Collins until later.
Claims Collins Knew.
collins knew what 1 was going to
DO, SAID the witness, because 1 had
told him at the saloon in Boston that