The Washington times., 1913-05-21
BREEN TEST|F|ES IN
DYNAMITE PROBE
Lawrence Undertaker's EW-
dence in Charge Against
WooIen Millionaire Admitted.

BOSTON, May N.-John ]. Breen.
Lawrence politician and undertaken,
who planted the dynamite in Lawrence
during the textile strike there in jan
iuary, 1912, was the chief witness at to-
days session of the trial Of William NJ.
Wood, Frederick Z. Atteaux, and Dem
mis- j. Collins, charged with conspiracy.
The very first question asked him
brought the attorneys for the defense
to their feet Breen was asked regard
ing his acquaintance with Ernest j.
Pitman, wealthy mill contractor, who
killed himself Immediately after being
subpoenaed to testify before the grand
Jury.
The prosecution alleges that Pitman
furnished the dynamite to Breen in
Boston on the night of January 49, 1912,
which was later planted in Lawrence
to discredit the strikers. The attorneys
for the defense argued that any trans
action between Pitman and Breen could
nave no bearing on the charges against
Wood and AtteauX, but only against
Breen himself and Collins, who has ad-
mitted aiding the undertaken in placing
the explosives.
Conspiracy Proof Demanded.
Judge Crosby restated his former rul-
ing that the State could present all OF
its facts and they would be accepted as
binding only on Breen and Collins until
such time as the State shows that the
planting of the dynamite was part sf
The general conspiracy alleged against
all of the accused on trial.
Breen said that Atteaux asked him
whether he could get hold Oh any d!ha-
mite. .s
Il told him no." he continued, and
he asked me whether / knew Putnam
/ said no Then he called up on the
telephone and got hold of Pitman:
The defense objected to the witness
statement that Atteaux got hold of Pit
man, and II was stricken out
What did you hear Atteauk say?
demanded Pelletier.
lis this Mr. Pitman. / want you TO
come to my Office at once. P1tman
came to the office in about a half-hour.
He and Atteaux conferred in Atteaux
Office In a little while Pitman came
Sout and said to me. Do you want TO
him yes. Then he told me to meet him
later on"
Evidence Is Admitted.
Defense again objected to any refer
ence to Pitman because he was dead,
but the court ruled that this evidence
was competent as indicating the exist
''Pitman," he continued. asked me
how about the police, and / told him
/ was friendly with Inspector Rooney,
of the Boston police, and would go and
tip him about the matter. He said that
would be fine. and left him and went
to get in touch with Rooney. i
couldn't reach him, and finally had to
get his telephone number
While looking for him / got in touch
with collins. / told him there would
be something to do in Lawrence and
asked him to help me out He asked
me what was to be done, and 1 told
him there was talk of blowing up the
mills in Lawrence, and / was going to
plant some dynamite around TO scare
the strikers and he could help me. He
agreed to do so.'
Collins Story Confirmed.
Breen then corroborated Collins tes-
timony of yesterday dealing with their
movements prior to getting the dyna-
mite.
II met Mr.. Atteaux at Franklin and
Washington streets. He came UP in a
taxicab. He said Follow along be-
hind me, John and II i drop a package
you pick ii up / don't want ii said
that / ever gave you anything"
Did he drop a package?"
Yes. sir. and ! picked it up"
What was in it?"
Five hundred dollars in bills