October 1
1910 Domestic Terrorism
The early 20th century saw epic struggles between employers’ groups and the American labour movement, with violence – kidnappings, sabotage, beatings and murder – frequently used by both sides. On this date in 1910 a bomb, planted by a labour organizer working for the Iron Workers Union, exploded outside the building housing the Los Angeles Times. The explosion killed 21 newspaper employees and injured 100 others.
Private detectives working for employers soon identified a number of suspects and, using corrupt and illegal practices, arrested three union officials and brought them to Los Angeles for trial. The Iron Workers hired famed attorney Clarence Darrow to defend two of them, brothers J.B. and J.J. McNamara, while the third arrested man agreed to testify for the prosecution. Despite claims by socialists and their supporters that the pair had been framed, it was clear that the evidence would convict them. Darrow agreed to a plea bargain that sent J.B. McNamara to jail for life on the charge of murder whil J.J. pled guilty to a lesser charge and received a light sentence.
The effects of the trial were significant. Capitalists were worried about class war and labour leaders feared a backlash; both sides agreed to cooperate with the federal government in setting up a Commission on Industrial Relations that led to an 8-hour day and reduced tension between employers and workers.