The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-23
.CLEMENCY ID WAR
 TIME PRISONERS
 ID BE CONSIDERED
Case of Eugene Debs Will Come Under RevieW-75 Civilian and IA MiIi-
 tary Prisoners
By Associated Press

Washington, November 22.-Ex- tension of executive clemency to of- lenders against the wartime laws now serving prison sentences will be given early consideration by President Harding, it was said today at the White House. The subject was discussed at the cabinet meeting today and it was understood that a policy of leniency toward these of lenders where possible was general ly approved.
 The President has asked the Attor- ney General for d digest of each of these cases and MT Daugherty ex- poets to have the histories of the war law prisoners d completed in two weeks.
 Under the administration's policy there would be no sweeping proclama- tion of amnesty, 1t was said officially, but each case would be considered on its merits separately and military as well as civil offenders would be considered. However, the President Is understood to vieW witty disfavor the release of persons who advocated property destruction or industrial of lenders, although particular attention would be given service men guilty ot infractlon of disciplinary regulations of more or less serious nature,
 seventy-five Civilians | There are, according to Mr, Daugh- erty about 75 civilian wartime ot- | lenders now serving sentences in federal prisons and IA soldiers who would come within the clemeucy pro- 1 gram. The justice department, he | said is preparing for the President | detailed statement of each man | case, showing where he was con victed. what for, length of sentence, l time served, good behavior record, i eligibility for parole. These, he added, would be submitted to the President as completed. He indicated that Mir Harding might act upon them as they | came to him.
 A study of the treatment of this class of offenders by foreign nations, as well as the precedents established in this country after the Civil war, has been begun by the department, Mir. DauRherty declared to aid the administration in reaching it's de cisions. He indicated that the justice department would favor freedom for these prisoners, by pardon, commuta- ton of sentence or parole, where the | facts in the various cases and good !, conduct records would warrant It. Mir. Daugherty also declared that he I intended to obtain from the district ' attorneys throughout the country 8 list of the cases of war law offenders still pending for consideration with a view to bringing them to close.
 Eugene Debs
 The question of freedom for Eugene lar ,Iar tssasa icf lat Atlanta, will be treated. separate fly. MT. Daugherty said. adding that recommendations to the President on 1 the subject have been completed, al- though it was understood there would be no possibility of action by Thanks giving. Any affirmative action in the case, he said, would be either par don or a continuation, as Debs was not eligible for parole, which requires that the prisoner should have served one-thir of his sentence. Debs will not have served third of his lo- year sentence until next August,
 MT. Daugherty indicated that the Debs case would go forward after the program with regard to the other prisoners had been started and that the President would be presented with a full history of the life of Debs as well as the specificN charges for which he is now imprisoned.
 Bitter Debate in House
 Brief but bitter debate on the sup ject developed in the House today when Meyer London, socialist, New York, read resolutions urging general amnesty for persons convicted of vio- lating wartime laws. MT. London said a group of prominent men and a number of former service men, includ- ling four holders of the congressional medal of honor had signed the reso- Hutton.
 Representative Lineberger, republi- can, California. immediately ex- pressed opposition to amnesty de- lclaring men who died in France would turn over in their graves If such men as Eugene V. Debs were released from prison.
 Miss Alice Robertson, republican Oklahoma only woman member oi the House, contended that persons un- patriotic during the war should re- | main in iail