The Washington times., 1924-02-11
BAN
EXECUTIONS
BY GAS
death Slow and Painful"
Is View Of TrinkIe, Of Va.
Opinions of Others.
Copyright, 1894, by International
News Service.)'


Nevada, pioneer in lethal gas
execution, stood virtually alone to-
day as an advocate of the new
method Of exacting The life penalty
from condemned criminals. Opinions
gathered by International News
Service from governors and high
State officials throughout the coun-
try show no disposition in other
States to follow in the path Nevada
blazed last week when Gee Jon,
Chinese Tong slayer, was gassed to
death.
mot without some. elements Of
inhumanity'-"an uncertain expert
ment"-''siow and painful"-are the
opinions expressed today by some
chief executives.
For the most part there was
uncertainty on the. part Of the
officials as to what actually occur
red in the death house in the
prison yard at Carson City when
the Chinese murderer was sprayed
with the deadly hydrocyanic acid.
Authorities Of other States are
awaiting more complete scientific
verdicts.
There is grave doubt as to the
Quickness with which death came
to the Chinese" said Governor Nc
Cray OF Indiana. From press re-
ports think the experiment on
Gee Jon was not without some
elements Of inhumanity. The IN
diana law provides for electrocution
which is as quick a way of de-
stroying life as has been dis
covered"
Barred by Trap.
Governor Trapp of Oklahoma
absolutely does not approve" of
lethal gas executions. while 1 do
not oppose capital punishment" he
said, Il do not approve of expert
mentlng with new, uncertain
methods" Governor Trap also
said present methods of inflicting
the death penalty ARE proved and
humane, and there is no need for
Sucn experiments as lethal gas.
In Texas, where electrocution was
practtced for the first time yester-
Gay to execute five negroes. acting
Governor Davidson presumed lethal
gas and electrocution are the two
most humane ways of administer
Ing capital punishment"
Il can see nothing against lethal
executions at ALL" said Ralph w.
Wheelock, member of the Minnesota
board of prison control. Even
though 1t is strange and unusual"
he continued, lit would seem from
accounts that the Nevada execu-
ton IL as merciful as any such
thing could be, and far more merci-
ful than hanging, which is a relic
of barbarism."
Governor TrinIle's Opinion.
Governor Trinkle of Virginia, who
said he knew nothing whatsoever
about lethal gas, believes "electrocu-
ton is painless, more humane, and
the best"
81 have witnessed electrocution,"
he said. ''Lethal gas must be slow
and painful"
Not even Nevada's chief executive,
Governor Scrugham, Endorsed the
gas executions. IT did not witness
it and therefore will not comment
upon its success" he said. "War-
den Dickerson will render an official
report in a day or so, and 1 shall
be guided largely in my opinion
by his report. But 1t is entirely
probable l shall have nothing to
say even after receiving the re-
port"
Governor Scrugham has been re-
ported opposed to the lethal gas
execution adopted by his State. He
appeared depressed today following
reports he was Frustrated yester-
day. .
Others Are In Doubt.
The position Of many other gov.
errors and State officials was ex-
pressed by Governor Walker of