New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-05
LEADER ESCAPES
In SUBWAY PLOT
Mr.. X" Identified as
Striking Guard Who
Placed Bomb

The mysterious "Mr. X" sought By
the police as the seventh conspirator
IN the dynamiting OF the subway sta
ton at Lenox Avenue and 10th Street
on October %, is William Molsky. a
striking subway guard, living at 116
East 1OSth Street, it was learned yes
terdsy. A general alarm has been sent
out for him from Police Headquarters.
Where James J. Merna, one Of the six
men now held under $4,000 bond for
the 10th Street station explosion, was
the brains Of the conspiracy, Molsky
was the man who surcharged it with
daring and energy, the police assert.
He was with Merna and Michael J. Her
lihy when they bought the fifty sticks
Of dynamite that wrecked the subway
station, it is charged. He not only
helped fashion the bomb, detectives
say, but was the ono who lowered it to
the subway tracks.
"Mr. Y" a Busy Conspirator
The confessions Of Merna, Herlihy
and Thomas j. Mcclure make it certain
that Molskys zeal for winning the car
mems cause by reign Of terror did
not halt after the 10th Street explo-
sion. He was to have taken part in the
dynamitng Of the Columbus Circle and
the Broadway and 42d Street subway
stations, Captain Tunney, Of the bomb
squad, declared yesterday. Molsky lett
his home to meet Merna and Mcclure
IN Caldwell, y. j., on Thursday after
noon. They were trapped by detectives
at the Hercules Powder Companys
plant in Kenvil, y. j., ana their failure
TO keep their appointment with Molsky
gave him the cue TO flee.
The general alarm sent out for Mol
sky describes him as feet inches,
weighing 145 pounds, of dark, sallow
complexion, clean shaver, and having
dark brown hair. His fondness for good
dress won him the nickname Of the
Duke" among his friends. He was
committeeman Of Local No. 73l OF the
Amalgamated Association of Street and
Electric Railway Employees.
Car Chiefs Make Inquiry
All day yesterday Police Headquar-
tiers and the District Attorneys Of
Ice waited for the Amagamated AS
ISOLATION TO come forward with an
official reputation of the dynamiters.
Put no such denial came. Instead,
William b. Fitzgerald, general Or
ganizer of the national association,
announced that he was making a
thorough investigation"
IF 1t is true that some OF the men
have confessed their guilt" Fitzger'
aid said, 81 DO not see how the union
can help them further
From other sources it was learned
that the Amalgamated Association now
proposes to have its attorneys defend
Pollock. Kulle and Hamilton only Nc
CURE, Merna and Herlihy are expect
cd to plead guilty when they are
brought for a hearing into Washing
ton Heights Court tomorrow after
noon.
In the Harlem police court Jail,
where the six men under arrest are
now held. Herlihy yesterday asserted
that he had consented to the dyna-
hitting Of the 10th Street station only
after Merna had pleaded with him for
many days. His consent was not
given, he declared, until he had been
promised that the explosion would
not cost life.
Merna Denies Confessions
Merna has repudiated the confes-
sions he is alleged TO have made to
the police and the District Attorney.
He denied th.t he had any part in
the dynamite plot.
Detective Captain Tunney, whose
skill caused the six arrests and frus-
trated the other two explosions that
were planned by the striking car men,
sees in the case need for Federal
regulation of the sale Of high explo-
sives.
Every man who buys dynamite or
other explosives should be required by
Federal law 70 leave his photograph
with the dealer" Captain Tunney said.
He should not be allowed to leave
the first address that pops into his
head, but before he is trusted with
explosives the street number he gives
should be carefully verified.
"If possible, all dynamite, fuses
and Illuminating caps should be
marked not only with the name Of
the maker. but with some sign that
would identify the distributor. This
would mean expense and a great deal
Of trouble. But 1t would prevent
countless crimes. A state law would
not suffice. Uniform regulations
throughout every state in the Union
should be in effect"