To the Executive Council of the AFL

                                                                                                                                    May 2, 1911.

No. 45.

Addressed to each member of the Executive Council.

        It is plainly manifest conspiracy exists to crush bridge and structural iron workers international union by attempt to fasten horrible crime on its officers. The outrageous kidnapping as well as trumped up false accusations of criminality against labor men simply because they are labor men must be stopped. The officers of affiliated and unaffiliated International Union located at Indianapolis and local bodies urged me to call special meeting executive councils at Indianapolis. This I deemed inadvisable at least before consultation. They then requested me to go to Indianapolis for consultation. I complied and had two day's conference there, Secretary Spencer  building trades departmentand attorney Mulholland participating. Much information was given showing the conspiracy. The conference to avoid diffusion of effort and thus injure the rights and liberty of the incarcerated men urged that the entire matter of receiving and disbursing fund and all other matters in connection with the case be in the hands of the executive council so that an ample opportunity for proper defense may be assured. I submit for approval the proposition to take charge. Please promptly return your votes by telegraph to Washington.

                                                                                                          Samuel Gompers,

                                                                                                          Pres. Amn. Federation of Labor.

TWtcSR, Executive Council Records, Vote Books, reel 11, frame 624, AFL Records.