Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-11-29
MOONEY SENTENCE
+. MADE LIFE TERM
Gov. Stephens Of California
Commutes Death Penalty
of Labor Man.

SAN fhANClSCO, november %
The death sentence of Thomas J..
/. Mooney. convicted of murder in con-
nection with the bomb explosion
which killed ten people here July %,
1916. during a preparedness day pa
rade, was committed to life imprison-
ment by Gov. Stephens last night. No
further legal steps can be invoked in
MONEYS behalf, attorneys said to-
day. Mooney. who is an iron molder
by trade. will be removed from the
death cell which he has occupied in
San Quentin penitentiary since July
II of this year and given employ
ment with other prisoners.
Gov. Stephens had the case under
consideration since last March. when
the California supreme court affirmed
MONEYS conviction and an applica-
cation for a pardon was made.
Reasons for Action.
In explaining causes which led him
to commute MONEYS sentence, the
governor said he had made a careful
review of the case and found no
reason why Mooey should escape pun
ishment. The governor declared there
were certain features in connection
with the case which convinced him
that the sentence of death should not
be executed" Another reason for the
Communication, he said, was President
Wilson's earnest request" for clem-
ency. The governor said he declined
to be Influenced by the theory that, II
maximum punishment is not justified,
pardon should follow.
1T has been no uncommon thing,
the statement read, "for executives
in granting clemency to entertain
doubt SUFFICIENT to save him from the
gallows, but not that degree of 'rea-
Sonable doubt that the law resolves
completely in favor of defendant.
Many strikes had been planned for
a protest against MONEYS execution,
which was set for December 10.
Whether these proposed strikes now
will be carried out labor leaders here
were unable to say today.
Mooney Protests Communication.
From his cell Mooney issued state
ment protesting against communication
hang" he said. than to be con-
demned to living grave" Mooney
also appealed to labor leaders to con-
tinue their efforts in his behalf.
OF the five persons indicted for muir
der in connection with the bomb ex-
pSosion, only two have been con-
victed-Mooney and Warren K. Bill
lings a machinist. Billings was SEN
fenced to life imprisonment, Mrs.
Rena Herman Mooney, wife OF Thom-
as Mooney. and Israel Weinberg, a
and Edward D. Nolan, machinist'
never has been brought to trial.
Out of the Mooney trial grew
charges of irregularities on the part
of District Attorney Charles NJ. flick
ert, who conducted the prosecutions.
- tnN naraana1 QnnoaIS for
clemency from President Wilson to
Gov. Stephens and laboring men in
many parts Of the world interested
themselves in the case. A report
touching on features Of the prosecu-
ton was made last week to Secretary
of Labor William B. Wilson by Jonn
b. Densmore, director general OF led
eral employment A grand jury is
investigating the charges OF irregu-
larity in the prosecution.
Messages From President.
The two messages sent by President
1.-THE White House,
washington. D; C.. March 81. 1sas:
Gov. William D. Stephens. Sacra-
mento. CAL:
with very great respect take the
liberty of saying to you that II you
could see your way to commute the
sentence Of Mooney it would have
most heartfelt effect upon certain IN
ternational affairs which his execu-
ton greatly complicate.
WOODROW WILSON,"
1.-The White House.
Washington. D. c.,
"3:51 pm. June 4. 1918.
Zion. William d. Stephens. Sacramen-
to, Cal:
ct beg that you will believe that
am moved only by sense OF public
duty and of consciousness of the
many and complicated interests in
volved when 1 again must respectful
" suggest a communication of the
death sentence imposed upon Mooney.
I would not venture again to call
your attention to this case did not
know the international significance
which attaches to it.
WOODROW WILSON"