The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1930-04-04
SLIM CHANCE FOR MOONEY

Tom Mooney victim of one of the most brazen
frameups in American history, who has spent thir-
teen years of the prime of his life in prison. stands
little chance of being pardoned by Governor
Young of California.
A Quaker delegation visited the governor. in be-
half of pardon for Mooney and Billings but the
executive officer of the employers of California
was obdurate. He declarefd that he had read all
the documents in the case and that altho some of
the evidence seemed to be perjured there was plen-
ty of uquestioned evidence which led him to be-
lieve the men guilty The governor was simply
carrying out the wishes of the employers who hate
Tom Mooney with hatred that nothing but the
labor leaders death can satisfy.
Tom Mooney was convicted on the testimony of
pimps, panderers and dope fiends. On the testi-
mony of men and women who were forced by the
district attorney under pain of future punishment
to give evidence that almost sent man to the
gallows. These venal witnesses were coached by
the district attorney and dictagraph placed in
his office by special agent of the then president
Wilson proved that Fckert framed Mooney Wood
row Wilson wanted Tom Mooney freed but the
money barons of California paid no heed to his
request.
Since Mooney was rairoaded, the Judge who
tried him, the jury that found him guilty. and ev-
erybody connected with the prosecution except the
notorious Fickert have to the conclusion that
Mooney innocent of the crime charged against
him. Even the warden of San Quentin where
Mooney is eating his heart away, expressed his
opinion that Mooney the victim of frame
Yet there is disposition today on the part
of the ruling classes of California to free him than
there was thirteen years ago.
Tom Mooney will never leave San Quentin alive
if he must depend on the mercy of the savage ex-
1oIoita xUbo tod hic hpoa he a
skillful and courageous organizer of labor. That
his crime and to the greedy capitalists that is
a crime punishable by death-if they can get away
with it.
The Mooney frame-up is a challenge to the
whole American working class Are they going to
let of the bravest leaders that rallied la
Dor under the flag Of militant unionism, die be-
hind the gray walls of San Quentin? They per-
mitted the hangmen of Massachusetts, to kill Sacco
and Vanzetti. At any moment the ruling class
may select another outstanding leader of labor fol
the gallows or the electric chair The times are
critical Unemployment scourges the land and the
exploiters nervous. One of these days the
masses may demand in words that spell action that
the bosses give them employment or clear out.
Rather than concede, the hardboiled American rul-
ing class may decide to make another example; to
frame somebody else and send him to the chair in
effort to strike fear into the hearts of the
pie.
We do not believe that the crime committed
against Mooney will help the ruling classes whit
On the contrary they have succeeded in storing up
lot of misery for themselves in years to come
The working class have long memories when des-
peration drives them to action. And they will
bring the whole capitalist system crashing to it.
base guarantee that no more fighters for the
people will be murdered or jailed while the rob
bers and looters sit in the seats of power and doll
out Justice" to the leaders of the Masses
Tom Mooney, Warren K. Billings and the Cen
tralia prisoners must be freed. But it will not b.
done by Quaker delegations 1t will be accomplish
ed by the collective action of the masses of work
ers and farmers.