IHOMAS J. Mooney, whose imprisonment for the San Francisco Preparedness Day bombing celebra, was pardoned by Califor Olson, here today. The Governoi cent", thereby ending the 22 year became an international cause nia's new Governor, Mr. Culbert pronounced Mr. Mooney "Inno 1 fight for freedom in which the former labour leader, his one-time dark hair now white, repeatedly refused offers of parole or commutation of sentence because he believed either would carry the taint of guilt.
'A dramatic scene in the crowded State Assembly, Chamber occurred at noon as INF. Mooney sat in the Yostrum and heard the Governor declare: "I am. convinced that Mooney is innocent, that he was convicted on perjured testimony and entitled toa pardon. Let any-tone who objects. 10 this step forward "and present new evidence if thay possess ise silence settled over the chamber an the Governor waited for objections, After several moments of dramatic silence Governor solemnly declared, hereby" grant a full. pardon Thomas J. Mooney."
Mr. Mooney, who was serving a "sentence, previously had been driven here from San Quentin prison fecompanied by the warden, his Atlorneys and members of his Joyous family. His pardon had been expected! after the election of Governor Olson who promised in his eam-Dalitn speeches to free Mr, Mooney elected, Getermination to ght for Billing's release.
'Mr. Mooney's coterie of friends Included his sister, Anna, his brother, John, and his. attorney,' Mr. George Davis, ""He also was' accompanied from the Chamber by a number of Tocal labour leaders who had earlier Welcomed him at the gateway of San Quentin prison and accompanied him to the State Assembly.
Crowds outside the Assembly yelled their approval of the pardon as Mr. Mooney emerged from the Chamber. They also cheered Mrs. Mooney who has played. a. leading part in Mr. Money's fight for free-
Bombx Placed By Mexicans Standing under a tifessized por trait of Abraham Lincoln, Governor Olson delivered a speech outlining the Mooney case and his reasons for believing Mr. Mooney Innocent. He said. the bombing of July 22, 1916, when explosives in a suitcase at the corner of San Francisco's Stuart and Market Streets killed ten and wounded forty others witness-Ing the Preparedness Day had been placed by unidentified Mexicans who were angered by the United States "Army's" pursuit of Pancho Villa in Mexican territory.
Mr. Mooney for 22) years has asseried that" his conviction, and original, death sentence, Inter' commuted to life Imprisonment, were the result of a conspiracy. because of his union labour activities. The prosecution had, contended "Re was "Near the end of his speech. the Governor asked Mr. Mooney to stand.
"T now hand you your pardon, the Governor said ina clear, dra~ matic. vole, He then sat. down quickly and signed the official pers while a cheering madly awd ide him. wax his wite, Rona "Tim x0 happy, Tom." she could be heard whispering to. Mr. Mooney he smiled at the crowd. There wore tears in. Mrs. Mooney"s eyes fis she saw her husband receive his Pardon "from. the. Governor with whom he shook hands.
Belleves Billings Innocent hardly know how to express gratitude for this vindieatio Mr, Mooney said with emotion, The Governor said he also be-leved Warren Billings, who was convicted with fr. "Mooney, was also innocent. "He said it was. possible to grant him a pardon with: out the approval of the Supreme Court, however, because the prison-erik a twortime offender. Mr. Mooney declared that hie will' spare efforts 10 speed Billing's release.
'Mr, Mooney's release and pardon wore' not approved unanimously by al) quarters, although no objections Were raised' in the Assembly Chamber. Mr, Edward Cunha, Assistant District, Attorney, who. secured Mr. Mooney's conviction, - was those to. object. "feeney og hell" he told the" press. should ave been hanged."
Me. Ben Lamborn "of Alameda, Calif, anda brother of one of the victims of the 1017 bambino. bitterly Aeclared Governor Olson should be impeached for today's pardon.
When Mr. Mooney started to leave the rostrum, however, he wax con gratulated by the Lieut-Governor, Mr. Elis Patterson, the Sheriff, Mr, Dan Murphey. himself a labour leader. and Mr. Harry" Bridaes, Australian-born west coast_ maritime union' teader. "Happy days are here assam," Mr. Mtponey told. them. Somebody in the crowd shouted "This is. the greatest cay history of California'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.