Evening star., 1928-06-19
Declines to Halt EIectrocution
of Proctor, Eagles and
Moreno Friday.
HOLDS MEN FAIRLY TRIED
AND GUILT ESTABLISHED
Decision Affirming Death Penalty
Reached After Hours Study
of Papers at Brule.
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG.
STAFF Correspondent Of The Star.

stan correspondent OF Tne star.
CEDAR ISLAND LODGE. BRULE
RIVER, Wis, June 19.-President Cool
;dge has declined to extend executive
clemency to John Proctor. Nicholas Lee
Eagles and Samuel Moreno now under
death sentence at the United States
Jail in the District of Columbia for the
killing of Policeman Leo w. X. Busch,
and as a result these men will go TO
their electrocution Friday
The President lost no time deciding
the fate OF this trio after receiving the
review of their case and the accompany
ing recommendations from Attorney
General Sargent yesterday afternoon.
He carefully studied these papers and
the appeal made In behalf of the three
convicted men which accompanied the
former for an hour last night as he sat
alone in front OF huge blazing fire in
the living room of his Summer home
Although the President was represented
as making no comment on afiixing his
signature which so completely sealed
the fate of these condemned slayers. it
Is understood that he had no difficulty
reaching decision after once complet-
ing the reading Of the several papers in
the case.
Holds They Had Fair Trial.
He was represented today as having
felt absolutely certain that the men
had had fair trial and that there
was not the slightest question about any
technical complications incident to their
trial and conviction and subsequent SEN
tence. He also Is represented as be-
ing convinced that no doubt exists as
to their guilt. Therefore, he sees no
reason for defeating the action Of the
courts that trie | and convicted them
and afterward reviewed their cases by
extending clemency solely from senti-
mental promptings.
The Department of Justice form con-
tanning hts ofiicsal denial OF the appeal
for clemency, along with the other
papers In the case. were sent by the
President 10 the executive ofice IN Eu-
peFicr this morning and win be for
uarded probably this afternoon 10 the
Attorney General.
President Coolidge's knowledge or the
case of Proctor. Eagles ana Moreno was
nv no means confined to the history
AAs4 AGNSEW k9AANMMAGA Mk k4bG RANE&S
sent TO him by the Department Of Jus
tice. He has given an unusual amount
Of attention TO their case singiy and
collectively. evidently realizing long be-
forehand that eventually he would be
called upon TO decide whether these
men should pay the death penalty for
the crime Of which they were convicted
or TO commute their sentences 10 life
imprisonment as prayed for In the ap-
peals In their behalf. His study of the
case included with other means of
obtaining information, audiences with
the several attorneys for the three men
as well as with individuals who had
approaches him In their behalf.
Last Chapter Closed.
President Coolidge's adverse action
except for the formalities TO be asso-
ciated with their execution. closes the
last chapter In this murder case which
has been before the attention Of the
public for nearly two years. He was
their last resort In their efforts TO be
spared death as the penalty for the
crime which they were convicted.
Some weeks ago the United States
Supreme Court quickly denied the ap-
piication made to It for q review. The
legal point made In the appeal to that
highest tribunal was that the lower
court erred In that 1t did not try the
three men separately. The rejection
by the United States Supreme Court
closed a long legal battle which was
conducted from as far back as Sep
tember. 1926, when Proctor. Eagles and
Moreno were taken into custody for
the shooting OF Policeman Busch. The
killing occurred on the night of Sep
tember 26. In Petworth. when Busch,
with another policeman. attempted to
arrest the trio In connection with a
series Of highway robberies. Their
trial began In January. 1927. and lasted
seven weeks. They were found guilty
OF first degree murder and sentenced
to die last July, Their case was ap-
pealed and the execution date extended
to May IS. this year. A postponement
then was granted by the court. until
next Friday. In order to give the Presi-
dent time to consider the appeal for
clemency.
President Coolidge's consideration and
disposition OF this case Is the first pub.
lie business OF any real Importance he
has transacted since coming here on
his vacation.
ua~xne ex,4xuye