The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-08-15
I'm INNOCENT
BILLINGS PLEA
TO HIGH court
Favorable Appearance rs
Created in Hearing
at Folsom.
DENIES MOONEY GUILT
I'D Put Democrats Into
Office Star Witness
Tells JuristS.
DENIES MOONEY GUILT
BY MAX STERN
Times stan Correspondent

FOLSOM PRISON, Cal, Aug. Is.
Warren X. Billings, who has spent
one-third of his short life inside
high stone walls on the testimony
of perjurers, came forth Thursday
night from his cell and told every
thing" to the jury of superior court
judges, who are holding a "retrial
on his pardon plea.
Speaking crisply and without
hesitation, Billings barred his whole
life. A tramp, vagabond, labor spy,
a saboteur, ex~convict, he admitted
himself to have been.
A mass murderer he denied he
ever was or could have been. No
amount of questioning by Justice
Preston, ex-prosecutor, could shake
him from the assertion that he had
nothing to do with the Preparedness
day bombing explosion OF fourteen
years ago, for which he is serving
life.
Background Is Typical
Billings admitted painting autos
with varnish remover on the day
of the parade ard proved thereby
his long awaited alibi. He denied
acquaintance with Emma Goldman
and successfully combated Justice
Preston'S efforts to put a red shirt
on him"
He made one of the best witnesses
vet heard in the rehearing.
Billings, No. 10,699, fourteen years
ago was the young and aggressive
laborite, appeared a bit dazed as
he stepped into the presence of the
justices, a score of observers, attor-
neys and newspaper men and won1-
en-. Clean shaven, pale and spruce
in his prison clothes, with white
shirt, he looked as dapper as 1t was
possible for a two-tinle loser to look.
Admits Painting Cars
The strangest trial in Cali
fornias history, was set with a typ
ical California background. Tie
warden's office, the courtroom"
was high enough to permit view
of a broad sweep Of the Sierra foot
hills, the western sun setting over the
hot, brown hills and shedding its
rays through digger pines and oaks.
The sleepy old town of Folsom,
once a miners camp in the days Of
the forty-niners, was clearly visible
as the winding American river be-
low the scene of the prison yard,
where Billings had toiled as garde-
ner, shoemaker and common work.
man.
Creates Favorable Appearance
Billings appearance before the
Judges created remarkably favor
able appearance. He spoke quick
ly and with clarity Of memory. Tell
ing of his early life he said he was
II before he had ever "had trouble"
Justice Preston tried in vain to
drag from Billings some admission
of radical tendencies.
do you want to get out?" Pres
ton asked him.
IT certainly do" he replied.
Then why didn't you apply for a
parole?"
"I feel that paroles are for those
who were guilty, but repentant,"
Billings answered, Il am absolutely
innocent and therefore feel I should
have full pardon"
Expressing confidence that TOM
Mooney is innocent, too" Billings
told the court that Martin Swan
son, the Pacific Gas and Electric
detective, had offered him 5000 to
aid in framing Mooney on a dyna-
hitting charge prior to the Pre-.
paredness bombing and that he re-
fused to have anything to do
with it.
Would Elect Democrats
Billings denied being connected ,
either with Socialistic or Con1mu-
nistic organizations and declared he
had no desire to overthrow the gov.
eminent by armed force. Preston
hammered away on this point for
several minutes, finally asking:
IF your vote could change the
government what would you dor
ELECT a Democratic President,
Governor and congress- said Billings
to the four Democratic and three Re-
publican justices.
II had no reason to kill any one
on Preparedness day." Billings said,
81 agreed with President Wilson
that the United States should be
neutral. but I didn't feel strongly
about it."
President Wilson changed his
mind" Preston said.
Eyes, but by thai time I was in