Chapter 4
The Conspiracy Trials and Aftermath — 1912 Through 1917
Chapter 4, The Conspiracy Trials and Aftermath, examines one of the most challenging and defining periods in the history of the Ironworkers Union. Covering the years 1912 through 1917 and spanning the 16th through 19th International Conventions. This chapter captures a time when the union faced intense legal battles, public scrutiny, and internal strain. The outcomes of these years would not only test the resilience of the organization, but also shape its identity and future direction in lasting ways.
At the center of this period were the far reaching consequences of the McNamara case and the federal conspiracy trials that followed. In the wake of the 1910 Los Angeles Times bombing, 46 union officers and leaders including General President Frank M. Ryan were brought to trial, placing the Ironworkers under the national spotlight. What followed was a legal and public relations battle that challenged the union’s leadership, unity, and reputation. These trials became a defining moment, forcing the organization to confront both external opposition and internal reflection, while fighting to preserve the principles it was founded upon.
At the same time, the union continued to navigate ongoing struggles within the labor movement itself, including a significant jurisdictional dispute with the Carpenters Union over pile driving work. This conflict underscored the complexities of trade jurisdiction and the importance of defending the work and identity of ironworkers in a rapidly evolving industry. Despite legal challenges, internal pressures, and disputes within organized labor, this era ultimately demonstrated the endurance of the union. Through adversity and accountability, the Ironworkers emerged more disciplined, more united, and more determined to move forward, carrying the lessons of this turbulent period into the future.
Historical Video Resources:
TITLE FULL LINK
E80 Los Angeles Labor War p. 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmPfbV-Y5mM&list=PLrRiBVo0E4Jr0Fi3_WywC6np2yoX4y922&index=23
Reshaping L.A. | Lost LA | Season 1, Episode 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSBQ5lqPTtg&t=1233s
The Los Angeles Aqueduct is Wild https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhW2BjFQCZM&t=289s
Modern Marvels: The Construction of the Panama Canal (S1, E3) | Full Episode | History https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LNuRW9t4JA
Panama Canal Documentary On Building The Panama Canal Full Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4lJULcXi20
The Rise and Fall of NYC’s Original Penn Station (S2, E4) | Trains Unlimited | Full Episode
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY2Z2EAUFjQ
History of Grand Central Terminal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYLfBOEw0Do
When New York’s Most Dangerous Waterway was Bridged (The History of Hell Gate Bridge) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcSvWsA_YVg
Before Hydraulics: How Cable Cranes Built Americas Bridges https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOrhWxIqdww&t=361s
Seattle’s Smith Tower turns 100 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPoE0v8GIGM
Equitable Building Time Lapse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvX9LgEoTZs
The IWW & the ‘Bread and Roses’ Strike https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enkxB-Q5pXg
Colorado Experience: Ludlow Massacre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qIHN68YNXw
Recommended Books:
Author(s) Title
Jim Rasenberger
High Steel: The Daring Men Who Built the World’s Greatest Skyline
William D. Middleton
The Bridge at Québec
Dan Levert
On Cold Iron: A Story of Hubris and the 1907 Quebec Bridge Collapse
David Weitzman
Skywalkers: Mohawk Ironworkers Build the City
Jim Rasenberger
High Steel
Dan Levert
On Cold Iron
Historical Sites:
Woolworth Building
google.com/maps?sca_esv=e755c4fcff4cb9a6&output=search&q=woolworth+building&source=lnms&fbs=ABfTbFVyMZGZf1hfvX9uKjN_-G8c4u0nXx4bEIpwm1lnNH832U1CFDVh7aOiOPRjGOuZstvTlhb57BMLU2AX3oUWdK8X3mDnCzyCEnc7h8lGlw5EvSZ26fSxO6e-YUNU5UNC4Z-QkMlYtOqVxf_HBzwLpFlfEPXmbEi7f4aO5vM2TJ9aFs1ucv4THC3qgcx1HggLF_Hugn40bzjMISXKixl2ZPzzGgsgQQ&entry=mc&ved=1t:200715&ictx=111
Quebec Bridge
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pont+de+Quebec/@46.7460436,-71.2921265,524m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m10!1m2!2m1!1squebec+bridge!3m6!1s0x4cb891153d92e259:0xddc282cb71e27034!8m2!3d46.7461568!4d-71.2881924!15sCg1xdWViZWMgYnJpZGdlkgEGYnJpZGdl4AEA!16s%2Fg%2F11f3mb__c5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDcyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Grand Central Terminal
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Grand+Central+Terminal/@40.752718,-73.9798018,579m/data=!3m3!1e3!4b1!5s0x89c2590220b4c1bf:0x7edf0a3a871c23fe!4m6!3m5!1s0x89c259599991bdf9:0xcdb22344c069bda5!8m2!3d40.752714!4d-73.9772269!16s%2Fg%2F11fmb5dzym?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDcyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Penn Station
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Penn+Station/@40.7513664,-73.9956644,579m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89c259ae62856fd3:0xc90899208e1fc672!8m2!3d40.7513624!4d-73.9930895!16s%2Fg%2F11vq6sgz8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDcyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Municipal Building
https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+David+N.+Dinkins+Manhattan+Municipal+Building/@40.7131426,-74.0061856,580m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89c25a222dc38943:0x14270881813d194d!8m2!3d40.7131386!4d-74.0036107!16zL20vMGJ0el8x?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDcyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Panama Canal
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Panama+Canal/@9.1443327,-80.0581941,96639m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8fab5f4b31cd492d:0xd9dd11e7a14a0960!8m2!3d9.1223491!4d-79.7311627!16zL20vMDY2cmw?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDcyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Ludlow massacre site
37°20’21.8″N 104°35’01.9″W – Google Maps
Peterson silk strike historical site
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Paterson+Great+Falls+National+Historical+Park/@40.9149497,-74.1825497,578m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89c2fdcf35f2eb1b:0xd7d6d2c929edd967!8m2!3d40.9149457!4d-74.1799748!16zL20vMDJ2aDF4?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDcyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Victoria Bridge
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Victoria+Bridge/@45.4913454,-73.5326599,536m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cc91ac5eb9043bf:0xce3c241ef7cbac6e!8m2!3d45.4913417!4d-73.530085!16zL20vMDI5NF96?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDcyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Canadian Pacific Windsor Station Area
Glace Bay Miners Museum
