The Indianapolis times., 1930-07-09
SEARCH
BEGUN FOR WITNESS
TO AID TOM MOONEY
Waiter Who Declared He
Perjured Self to Convict
Labor Leaders Is Sought
by Defense League.

BIZ United Press
SAN FRANCISCO, July s.-An
extensive search was started today
to locate John Mcdonald, waiter, a
witness at the trial of Tom Mooney
in 1916 for the San Francisco Pre-
paredness day bombing. Mcdonald
may be the means of freeing
Mooney.
The search followed Governor c.
c. Young's refusal to grant Mooney
a pardon and MONEYS subsequent
announcement that he would start a
new fight for freedom from San
Quentin prison.
It was believed that Mcdonald
was somewhere in the east, last nav
ing been heard of at the Central
house at Trenton, N. j., in Feb
ruary, 1921. A letter was sent at
the request of Mooney to his de-
tense lawyer during the trial, Frank
P. Walsh, in New York City by the
secretary of the Tom Mooney Mol
derS' Defense League.
1t was believed the league had re-
ceived fresh evidence-or was try
ing to stir up the old contention
that Mcdonald had perjured him
self during the trial.
Identified as Guilty Man
Mcdonald identified Mooney and
Warren K. Billings, now in Folsom
prison, serving life for completely
In the bomb outrage, as prepetra-
tors of the disaster.
He later repudiated his former
statements and accused police Of
fcials of coercing hir, to perJure
hin self.
Governor Young devoted a large
portion of his statement concerning
his refusal to pardon Mooney TO the
question of "repudiating witnesses"
Mary E. Gallagher, secretary OF
the Mooney Molders' Defense |
League, stated today that a CAM
oaign would be started to advertise |
in eastern papers for the where
abouts of Mcdonald. She also said
that other original witnesses were
beirg sought, in the attempt to
prove the leagues contention that
Mooney and Billings were not given
a fair trial.
Tom Mooney, his face lined with
the misery brought by fourteen
years of convict life, today walked
mechanically through his duties in
"the city of gray walls"-San Quen-
tin prison.
Bitterness was written in his
face and detection in every line OF
his body, clad in the loose-t1ttlrg
garb of a prison 'trusty."
Charges Double Cross
"I was double-croSsed," cried |
Mooney, making no attempt to con-
ceal his emotion. "It was not fair |
to link Billings case and mine.
was given assurance eight months |
ago that my request for pardon
would be met favorably-and this |
is the result.
young was present three days |
before the bombing when a detec-
tive from the Pacific Gas and Elec-
trio Company offered Billings $500 |
to frame me-" Mooney charged 'he |
was a state senator at that time.
He knows now and always will know |
that I am an innocent man."
He declared that the advisory |
board is merely a tool of the COVER
nor and followed his instructions in |
the matter of pardon.
Hopes for Justice
"We may .lot be able to get JUS
tice from this administration, but !
we will from the next" Mooney |
shouted.
'"The supreme court ruling on Bill
lings' request for a pardon was one
of the crudest, most unscholarly and
injudicial reports ever handed down
in a high court" Mooney cried, his
yoice ringing with the zeal that
marked his conduct during the trial
fourteen years ago.
1.-The rank and file Of laboring
people support me and they are
traitors to their cause if they help
elect Governor Young to Office
again
DnAT NIIiC CHIIM MER |