New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-26
Russian Radicals
Join Hands with
!. w. w. in America
Violent Protest Against Re-
ported Hanging of Mooney
in San Francisco

One of the most surprising Of re-
cent incidents in distracted Russia
was demonstration this week against
the American Embassy in Petrograd
as a protest by extreme radicals
against the reported execution o. an
American member Of the ]. V. W.
named Thomas Mooney at San Fran
cisco. The Mooney case evidently had
attracted more notice in Petrograd
than in New York.
The leader of the Petrograd demon
stration, Nikolai Lenin. is an inferno
tional socialist. His views coincide
with those Of the |. W. W. The wei
fare Of labor is considered by Lenin
to be an international matter. His
aim in organizing the demonstration
was TO agitate for social revolution.
Only a couple of days ago Lenin de
manded the overthrow Of the Provis-
ional Government in Russia and the
setting up Of labor dictatorship in
its place.
The Socialist and foreign language
press Of this country has devoted con-
siderable space to the case of Thomas
!. Mooney. radical labor leader, Of san
Francisco, who was arrested last sum
mer on the charge of having thrown
the bomb during the preparedness pa
rade which killed and wounded more
than fifty people. The international
- Workers Defence League" took an in
terest in the case, which accounts for
its international prominence. The
league" and the other defenders OF
Mooney held that ne wsc tic victim OF
"frame-up" because &C his activities
as a labor organizer.
Sentenced TO Hang on May II
The trial Of Mooney began in Jam
uary. lasting more than two weeks.
The defence, represented by W. Bourke
Cochran, contended that Mooney was
the victim of a conspiracy and that the
bomb outrage was the work OF maniac
ne pTOScCullONs lNu Da bl3NAiNb 49,
nev Fickert. demanded the conviction OF
Mooney Of murder in the first degree.
The star witness for the prosecution
was Frank Oman, an Oregon cattle
man. who testified that he saw the &C
cused place a suitcase on the sidewalk
at the spot where the explosion oc-
Cured. Mooney was found guilty on
February and condemned to be hanged
on May l..
Since February n nationwide agita-
ton in labor circles has been taking
place with the aim Of saving Moneys
life. At meeting in Carnegie Han
held on March : a collection was taken
TO help defray the expenses Of defend
ing Mooney. When man IN the audi
ence shouted ale won't be hanged!
Eugene V. Debs, the speaker Of the
evening. responded:
"No. he won't be Wei see to that.
I am going out there, and if they hang
Tom Mooney they'll have to provide
another moose for me.
The movement for new trial gained
powerful momentum last week when
the sensational charge was made by
one RiPall that OXman. on whose testl-
mony Mooney was mainly convicted
had fcloniously tried 10 induce him
20 give perjured testimony against
Mooney. Letters and kilograms written
b. Oxmau 10 Rigall were delivered 70
the authorities. Oman was arraigned
on April "a. charged with framing cvl-
dcncc against Mooney.
Moonev Granted New Trial
Last Nonday Superior Judge Frank
lin Griffin. who convicted Mooney. de-
clared his belief that Mooney should
have now trial He stated tina the
District Attorney should confess error
II be failed 10 do so the court would
personally order the ATTORNEY G'u.re.
10 take action. An order TO this ,Fect
was addressed by Judge Griffin 10 the
Attorney General last Tuesday. as
Fickert did not respond 10 the judges
invitation TO confess error.
At the same time certain Miss
Smith. who was witness for the pros
ecution in the case OF Billings. charged
with completely in the alleged bomb
outrage, caused sensation by submit
ting an affidavit in which Oxman is de-
clared to have offered a bribe to her
for false testimony.
"lf you will testify. and testify right.
/ ! will see that you get sum in five
figures" OVman is said TO have stated
20 Miss smith
y. Il.