1. The International Association of Bridge and Structural Iron Workers (after 1915, the International Association of Bridge, Structural, and Ornamental Iron Workers and Pile Drivers, and after 1917, the International Association of Bridge, Structural, and Ornamental Iron Workers) was organized in 1896 and affiliated with the AFL in 1901. It soon became involved in jurisdictional conflicts with several metal trades unions, and it was suspended from the AFL in 1902 for nonpayment of dues. After the conflict was resolved in 1903, it rejoined the Federation. It was briefly suspended again in 1917 during a conflict with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.

2. John J. McNamara, secretary-treasurer of the IBSIW, was arrested in Indianapolis on Apr. 22, 1911, and charged with murder in connection with the dynamiting of the Los Angeles Times building and with implication in the dynamiting of the Llewellyn Iron Works in Los Angeles. He was brought before an Indianapolis police court judge who denied his request for counsel and, although lacking jurisdiction, granted an order for his extradition to California.

3. Frank Duffy, William Huber, and James Lynch to SG, Apr. 25, 1911, Files of the Office of the President, General Correspondence, reel 73, frames 241-42, AFL Records.

4. Duffy to SG, Apr. 28, 1911, Files of the Office of the President, General Correspondence, reel 73, frame 278, AFL Records; Frank Ryan to SG, Apr. 28, 1911, ibid., frame 283.

5. William J. Spencer was secretary-treasurer of the AFL Building Trades Department (BTD; 1908-24, 1927-33).

6. The AFL BTD was established and chartered in 1908.

7. Beginning on Apr. 24, 1911, representatives of national and international unions, the Chicago and Indianapolis central labor unions, and the Indiana State Federation of Labor held a series of meetings in Indianapolis in the aftermath of the arrest of the McNamaras. On the suggestion of Clarence Darrow, who had not yet decided whether he would take the case for their defense, the conferees wired SG on Apr. 25, urgently requesting him to call a joint meeting in Indianapolis of the AFL Executive Council and the AFL BTD to consider the matter.

Accompanied by Spencer and attorney Frank Mulholland, SG left Washington on Apr. 29 and met with the labor representatives in Indianapolis on Apr. 30 and May 1. The conference voted to ask the officers of national labor organizations to issue circulars requesting donations from their local unions. In addition, it asked the AFL Executive Council to take charge of the case, in conjunction with the IBSIW, and to receive and disburse funds for the defense of the McNamaras. SG subsequently traveled to Kankakee, Ill., where he met with Darrow, and to Chicago before returning to Washington.

8. The AFL Executive Council voted in favor of the proposition and on May 6, 1911, issued a circular appealing for financial contributions to defend the McNamaras and to prosecute on kidnapping charges the men who had taken them to California. A copy of the circular may be found in the Files of the Office of the President, General Correspondence, reel 73, frames 333-36, AFL Records.