The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-10
TOM MOONEY
IS Confident
OF FREEDOM
Orders His First Suit of
Civilian Clothes in
13 Years.
YES, I'm GOING HOME
Former Labor Leader
Shows Effects of Walk
in Moose Shadow.
BY DAN CAMPBELL
United Press stan Correspondent

nAted fress stan ehponuthb
SAN QUENTIN STATE PRISON,
Cal. May 10.-Convict No. 1921,
whose Imprisonment has agitated
capitalists and laborers, students
and professors, attorneys and judges,
even a President of the United
States. has ordered his first suit of
civilian clothes in thirteen years.
Although clemcncy has not yet
been granted, No. 1921. who lost his
identity as Tom Mooney in 1917
the aftermath of the San Francisco
preparedness parade shambles, is
confident of liberty.
IN his first public utterance in
years here today, given in an in
tcrvieW with the United Press,
Mooney declared he was "going
home
Tom Money. whose petition for
pardon is to be reviewed by Cover
nor c. c. Young. within the next
few days. has walked within the
shadow Of the moose.
Walks in NOOse's Shadow
The 46-year-old former labor
leader. found guilty of the bombing
which snufed out the lives of ten
persons and injured forty others,
gave ample proof of this as he
walked into the interview room.
He might easily have been mis-
taken for 90. There was vigor in
his hand-clasp and gleam in his
brown eyes, but bowed shoulders,
graying hair and deeply furrowed
features gave testimony of his con-
finement
yes, I'm going home" he reaf-
firmed with a smile creeping across
his face. long ago burned brown by
the biting winds that sweep across
San Pablo bay to the break prison
farm lands.
For thirteen years I have waited
for the moment I know is near.
During every waking hour Of that
time. when not assigned to prison
duties. I have toiled to perfect the
documents which are now in the
hands Of Governor Young. A 5000
word petition, written by himself
and bound here in the prison, has
been presented to him by Tom
Walsh
For several years he has failed
to act. But the time for action has
come. Every shred of evidence
against me has been proved framed
or periured. Public sentiment has
reached its highest pitch and the
influence behind the movement for
my pardon commands widespread
respect.
IF awakened public interest
doesn't suddenly die out feel posi-
tive that I shall walk the street of
San Francisco again before the
close of 1929 a free man." he con-
rluded with somewhat of an effort,
his breath coming in labored gasps.
IF public interest does die out
he said, cit will take thirteen more
years" The first note of despair
crept into his voice but it was gone
in a moment and a smile lit his
face once more.
Sentenced TO Death
The preparedness day bombing
occurred July %. 1916. and a few
davs later Mooney and his wife,
Warren K. Billings, a labor leader,
Israel Weinburg, a taxi driver, ana
Edward Nolan, president OF the
machinistS union, Lodge 6S, were ar
rested.
Mooney was convicted and SEN
fenced to death. Billings was SEN
fenced to life imprisonment. The
others were never tried as it was
learned before their trials that the
states chief witness had perJured
himself.
Upon the request Of President
woodrow Wilson, MONEYS sentence
was commuted to life Imprisonment.
Since then many of those who
chiefly were instrumental in his
conviction have taken earnest &C
ton to secure his pardon.
Among these are the trial judge,
Franklin A. Grieffin. and Fremont
Older. who at the time of the out
rage was editor Of the San Fran
cisco Bulletin.
That Mooney was a victim C
wartime hysteria is the contention
of such men as Frank P Walsh,
Senator Thomas D. Schall of Min
nesota and others prominent in
public life.
Such noted professors of political
science including Thomas S. Bar
clay. G. II. Stuart and Edwin A.
Cottrell signed a petition to the
Governor asking unconditional
pardon" Of Mooney.