Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1950-12-08

Leon Gilbert for misconduct be.
fore the enemy 90 20 years seem
too SevereH ., Do you think the
case should be appealed for a
further reduction OF RcntenceH 5.
How viii the decision affect the
family Of Ii. 0IlbertH tThe third
question was asked Of the wo.
menl
Robert Harris. 500 Rondo Ave,
81. Paul, q veteran OF three years,
eight months In tho Army 20
months being overseas In tho ETo
theatre Of World War II, said,
THE penalty In my opinion IL
much too severe, II was a bum
decision IN the FIRST place. All dur.
inE my service In the Army, !
never heard Of n man getting any
more than q five year sentence for
a similar offense. Sure the case
should be- appealed, It's a throw.
back to the statement that Ne
gro officers are not capable Of
leadership, which some high
ranking officers believe"
Curtis o'Conner. 4i38 9th ~.
N, " Minneapolis. reserve officer
who saw five years, three Of
which wcrO served with the goth
Infantry. Sixth Div. during
World War II said. Il think the
guy deserves q better break. After
all he was the leader of his pla-
toon and should have known what
the situation was better than any
rear echelon officer, have seen
q man get twenty years for that
sort Of thing but from what I've
read Of this case the facts aren't
too clear and II doesn't add up
right"
Mrs. Alice SimmA Onque. direc-
tor of Halle O. Brown. 81. Paul
said, u think the punishment 10
much too severe. II would be diff
feront II II were for treason. Not
many war criminals have received
sentences this severe. The fight
should certainly be- pushed for
further consideration, In answer
10 the third question asked Of
women. Mrs. onque Aaid. Unless
there In . chance for 1t. Gilbert
10 be released, the life u his
family IL relatively over"
Reginald Harris. q former off,
Ger % 80 months overseas In the
C,BL thsatsr during World War
II answered. Although the mans
life was saved, the Communication
was really no victory. Ths penalty
IL much too harsh. Certainly the
fight 10 reduce tho sentence
should BE- carried on. Gilbert only
did what any officer should have
done under the circumstances and
that IL look after his men. You
can charge the sentence off 10
prejudIcsd superior officers"
MRFOsllA KiIlsn, political can.
didAts and civic leader In Min
neapolis replied. TOO harsh. A
fun review by not only military
but outside authorities IL needed,
The presidsnt should be asked 10
appoint . committee Of private
citizens " work with military
authorities 10 review the case.
There should be . cOmplsts re-
hearing u persons connected The
case has all the earmarks Of
protecting Army brass. think
family consideration has very
little 70 Do with the case. They
are not nearly a. important a.
having this whole thing revealed"
Douglas Hail, attorney Of Min
nsapoiis answered: "On the
basis Of the facts ~ have them,
the punishment 10 harsh and UNI
justified and without relation 10
10 the condition which he faced. I
think every effort should be made
10 correct the present Atuation."
Henry Thomas. bead Tssidsnt Of
Phylis wheatlsy SsttIsment house
Sald: A. U the punishTRsnt, ]
couldn't say whether u II or iAn't
TOO severe The man. - 0 good
soldier has certain obIigations
which are his 10 carry ont even
though he may question them. A.
for carrying the court case fur
Their, don't see harm In this e.
fort. Possibly In appealing the
case. new evidence viii be brought
before the court that hasn't been
revealed"
Senator Hubert Humphrey,
from his bed at the University
hospital where he was recovering
from an operation said, 7 think
the President acted commsndably
in reducing IL. Gllbert's sentence.
A. I'm not familiar with all the
facts about the case ! cannot an
swsr aS 10 the severity Of the
punishment. II new evidence IL
revealed then an appeal certainly
should be made. Every person 10
entitled 10 IN appeal"
Ths incident on which the case