Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-26
SINCLAIR PAROLE
| ACTION IS LIKELY
TO Be SPEEDEDU
Justice Department Indicates
Steps Will Be Taken to
Hurry Decision.
OIL MAGNATE CLAIMS
| HE HAS LOST WEIGHT
Maj. Peak Declines to Divulge His
Report on Plea, Made to
Attorney General.

1t was said at the Department of Jus
tice today that II the preliminary in
vestigation Of Harry F. Sinclair's ap-
plication for parole indicated that It
might be approved, steps would be taken
to hurry action.
This opinion was expressed as apply.
ing to the general subject Of parole
cases. but steps already have been taken
which indicate that in the oil mans
case the red tape route from the time
OF application to either approval or re-
lection will be shortened as much as
possible.
Sinclair's sentence would expire be-
fore Thanksgiving In the ordinary
course Of events. allowing five days of
each month for good behavior. The
usual time OF two months for parole
case to be finally acted upon would
operate in Sinclairs case to give him no
relief, even If it were approved.
Peake Makes Report.
The Justice Departments attitude
toward speeding up such cases grew out
OF cases where paroles were granted
finally but delivered to penitentaries
after the prisoner concerned had been
released. Especially in cases where
sickness of the prisoner is made the
basis for the application, and the date
OF expiration of sentence makes action
seemingly advisable at an earlier date
than ordinarily would be the case. steps
are taken to bring about final action as
hastily as possible.
Sinclair, who claims through his az
torney that he has lost considerable
weight since his incarceration on Nav
6. last. has submitted to a physical ex-
animation since his application for pa
role was hled, and it developed today
that Maj. William L. Peake has embod-
led the showing of that examination in
report he has made confldentially to
the Attorney General.
Declining to divulge the nature Of his
report. Maj. Peake said today that while
Sinclair was not sick and not in bed he
knew Of no reason why the application
for parole should be denied.
Meanwhile. the parole application on
behalf OF Sinclair was before Justice
Frederick !. Siddons, who presided over
the District Supreme Court trial which
convicted Sinclair.
Neither Bares Attitude.
Justice Peyton Gordon, who as
United States attorney, conducted the
case against Sinclair. also has the
parole application before him. Thus
far their recommendations have not
been made known. but in the case of
justice Siddons, the papers we're sent
to his vacation retreat in order that
action might be taken before the end
OF his vacation period.
The recommendations Of Justices Sid
dons and Gordon will be made to United
States Attorney Leo A. Rover and for
warded with Rover's recommendation
to the pardon attorney
The pardon attorneys opinion on the
case would. in turn, be embodied in
recommendation to the Attorney Gen.
eral. and. following the Attorney Cen
erals investigation, the case would be
presented to the President for action.
The long drawn out procedure has
operated to the disadvantage of pris-
oners from time to time. it was said at
the department today. and the depart
ments wish to avoid such situations as
much as possible would account for any
speeding up accomplished in Sinclair's
case. it was said. Presumably. the same
attention will be given to the applica-
ton of H. Mason Day. Sinclair's right
hand man in the oil business. who was
convicted with his superior on charges
of Jury tamperine.