New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-20
President Asked to Free
Hicks, Who Surrendered
After Thirteen Years.
PETITION SIGNED
BY PROMINENT MEN
Prisoner, Who Jumped Bail
When Convicted of Misusing
Mails, Now Serving Sentence.
LFtom The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington, June 19.-President
Wilson was asked To-day to pardon
Robert E. Hicks, Of New York, who,
thirteen years ago, was convicted OF
violating the Federal statutes in send
! ing unlawful matter through the
mails. Hicks was sentenced to ten
months imprisonment at the time, but
while out on bail, he disapper lie
was listed by the Federal authorities
as migsing. and probably would have
remained so had he not drifted into
the New York Bowery Mission one
day. He became a tireless worker in
helping derelicts and was devoted to
/ the service of his fellow creatures.
1t was not long before Hicks became
| one of the associate leaders Of. the
mission.
/ Something seemed to trouble Hicks,
/ but what it was he told no one, UNI
/ til one day he went 70 the superln-
/ tendent of the mission and confessed
| his identity. He was going TO give
himself up, he said, and serve out
/ his term, as it was the only way ne
| could ease his conscience. He had
a wife and three small children and
ran a neat little printshop in one OF
| the side streets in New York.
! Soon afterward he squared his chest
and walked into the District Attor-
news office in New York, saying he
had come to serve out his term. He
| is now in prison.
Request Strongly Supported.
The request for a pardon was sent
! by J. G.. HallimOnd, superintendent Oh
the Bowery Mission and Young Men
Home in New York. 1t is Endorsed by
prominent clergymen and business
men who have interested themselves
in the case. Mr.. Hallimond's letter,
which was addressed to Joseph +. H.
multy, secretary to the President,
says, in part:
ii have been deputed by several
influential people in New York CITY,
clerical and lay, to approach the Pres
ident with a view of securing par
dom for one Robert +. Hicks, who
, committed a Federal offence thirteen
years ago, and who, recently coming
under the influence of this ard other
missions, surrendered himself, and Is
now serving his uneXplred term OF ten
months imprisonment. ,u
"The necessary papers have been
forwa rded 10 the Attorney General
Office setting forth the whole circum,,
stances. They are most pathetic, ana
have no doubt that, when they are
brought to your attention, you VIII
understand why so earnestly ask you
20 give me your help in pushing the
matter through and getting the man
set free.
"The appeal for pardon, supported
by the Society for the Suppression OF
Vice. through whose efforts ne was
originally convicted, the Federal Dis-
trict Attorney, and many other innu-
entail persons, is also now IN the
hands Of the Attorney General.
Eve understand that the on y pos
sible way in which Mr.. Hicks can
secure his freedom is by the Presl-
dents act Of clemency, and DO most
earnestly beseech your mediation IN
the matter"
As soon as the necessary papers are
prepared by the Attorney Generals Of
fee they will be submitted 70 Presi-
dent Wilson, and it is believed that
in a very few days Robert +. hicks
will be a free man once more.