St. Paul, Minn., May 7—Coleman and James Younger, the most noted convicts in the state prison at Stillwater, today won the first step toward freedom from the institution, to which they were sentenced for life over twenty-five years ago.

For twenty-five years their friend have been working in their behalf, each governor being importuned frequently for a pardon. The third brother, Bob, died in the Stillwater prison a few years ago, but the efforts for the liberation for the now old men have never ceased.

Ten years ago a pardon board, composed of the governor, attorney general and chief justice was created, one of he arguments in its favor being the relief it would give the chief executive from the friends of the Youngers. Since then the pardon board has been asked repeatedly to act favorably on applications of pardon of the Youngers, but the required unanimous votes could never be secured.

Two years ago a bill was presented to the legislature providing for the parole of life prisoners and passed the senate, but was killed in the house. This year a similar bill, after several encounters on the floor of the two houses, got through and secured the approval of Governor Van Sant, but an amendment to it required the unanimous approval of the board of pardons before paroles of life prisoners could become effective. The opponents of the Youngers let the bill go through in this stage, but nothing could come of it.

Under the provisions of this law the board of prison managers today unanimously recommended the parole of the Youngers. This recommendation will be at once presented to the board of pardons but none of the members of the board would say whether a special meeting would be called to consider he matter.

The next regular meeting will be held in July. Before final action it would be necessary to have the legality of the two provisions of the new law passed upon. In the meantime the two surviving Youngers are rejoicing over the hope o ultimate release from their prison home.

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