The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-07-05
MOONEY BOMB
PARDON HOPE
IS DW|NDLING
Hiqh Court Denies Mercy to
Warren Billings, Alleged
Accomplish.
FATE UP TO GOVERNOR
Chief Executive of State Is
Able Under Law to Grant
Freedom.
BIZ United Press

BIZ United Press
LOS ANGELES, July 5.-Warren
K. Billings today faced the reaIza-
ton that he must spend the rest of
his life in Folsom prison, but Tom
Mooney, in San Quentin, still hopes
a conference Governor G. G. Young
will hold today may bring him a
pardon.
Billings fate was sealed by the
state supreme court in refusing to
recommend that the Governor act
on his application. Mooney, con-
victed with Billings of murder in
connection with the 1916 Prepared
ness day bombing in San Francisco,
still may be pardoned under the
law by the Governor.
Young however, has stated he
would be guided in the Mooney case
largely by the courts action on
Billings.
Billings, "two-time" loser, was
allowed by law to seek a pardon
only through the supreme court,
which recommended it for denial
to the Governor. Mooney, serving
his first term, could appeal directly
to the Governor.
Six Concur in Opinion
Six of the seven supreme court
justices concurred in the opinion.
The seventh w. H. Langdon, said
the court ouinion was so over
whelmiEg against him he saw no
reason 10 state his basis for dis
senting.
A majority report signed by
Chief Justice William H. Waste and
Associate Justices Emmett Seawell,
John E. Richards and Jesse w. Cur
tbs, held in effect that if Billings
was not guilty of the bombing he
failed to reveal this knowledge.
Furthermore, they held, Billings
pardon application made on effort
to establish his innocence in the
crime, but sought merely to show
Irregularities in the manner in
which he was convicted.
1--WE are not sufficiently con-
WINGED Of his innocence to recon-
mend that your excelency act on
his appeal" the courts message
read.
Two other reports concurring in
the adverse report, but arriving at
the decision by different methods,
were presented by Associate Jus
tees John w. Shenk and John w.
Preston.
Billings received the news calmly
from Warden Court of Folsom
prison.
He's Not Disappointed
81 didn't expect the court to act
and so I am not disappointed" he
said. ut looks like you are going
to have to take care of me for
while longer, doesn't it?"
Rena Mooney, wife of Tom Moon
ey, sobbed Historically when she
read the report and realized its
possible effect on her husbands ap-
plication. She had anticipated
greeting him as free man on the
Fourth of July, the day after their
wedding anniversary.
Both men claimed they we're
"railroaded and framed" into prison
and their case attracted worldwide
attention. Among their supporters
has been Judge Franklin w. Crit
fin, who sentenced them, but later
approved their pleas for release.
The bombing, which claimed nine
lives and wounded forty, took place
while the parade was proceeding
along Market street. Mooney and
Billings were tried twice on the
murder charges. Billings was SEN
fenced to life Imprisonment and
Mooney to hang. On intervention
Of President Wilson, Governor Will
liam D. Stevens committed Moneys
sentence to life imprisonment.