Williams Action Now Awaited

Ohio authorities today are demanding return of Forest Swoveland, Walled Lake father of three children, to the Ohio State penitentiary from which he escaped in 1940. John Keefe, executive sectary to Ohio Gov. Frank J. Lausche, said Ohio was demanding extradition because the governor is of the opinion he has no Discretion or alternative in Swoveland's case. Extradition papers are being mailed to Gov. D. Mennen Williams of Michigan today. Keefe said that any further action regarding Swoveland was now up to Gov. Williams who, under the criminal extradition act, has the power to return Swoveland or keep him in Michigan. Swoveland, free on $1,000 bond since last Dec 6, has been awaiting a decision by Ohio in his case for over a month. The decision by Gov Lausche to demand Swoveland's return came as a hard blow to the Walled Lake man ho is preparing to return to his job at Kaiser-Frazer Monday, where he is employed as a sewing machine repairman. Swoveland is accused of walking away from a London Ohio prison farm nine years ago where he was serving time on a bad check charge. If forced to return, he will face at least27 more months of prison. John Keefe, at his Columbus office, made the following statement today to the Pontiac Press, "Gov. Lauche is today requesting the Governor if Michigan to extradite Forest Swoveland who escaped from the London, Ohio prison farm JUne 5, 1940." The governor is of the opinion that under the uniform criminal extradition act which is in effect both in Ohio and Michigan, he has no discretion in the matter or alternative but to request the return of Swoveland. Keefe said the extradition papers were delayed for a month at the request of Gov. Williams' office and of a number of Pontiac persons. Clark J. Adams, legal adviser to Gov. G. Mennen Williams, said the governor could not make a statement today regarding the case because the extradition papers had not been received from Ohio. Robert P. Saur, attorney for Swoveland, who has volunteered his services to aid the father of three children said, "I am extremely sorry to learn that our great sister state of Ohio is demanding its pound of flesh. I personally feel that no purpose can serve by this action and can only hope that Gov. Williams will exercise his prerogative to deny the request." Sauer said he believed Ohio Gov. Lausche had the power to grant executive clemency in Swoveland's case and was sorry the governor had not seen fit to do so.