Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-02
THE CASE OF BECKER.
NOT YET KNOWN WHETHER HE
WILL DE ARRESTED.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO SAY.
Commissioner Powderiy Talks the
Matter Over with nistrict-Attorney
Allan. and Returns to Washington
Mt Once.

1t rests with the Department OF Justice
TO say whether or not criminal proceed
ngs shall be instituted in the United
States Court here against Moritz Becker
for an alleged violation Of the Federal
statutes in securing his naturalization pa
pers.
n the proposed prosecution is ordered
the arrest will be made in the near future,
so that the case may be gotten before the
grand jury which meets in April. There
are good reasons for believing that II
Becker has 60 defend himself he will have
an array OF able counsel, including not
only the Messrs. Flegenhimer. who rep
resented him in the effort TO secure the
landing Of his family, but perhaps eN-
Congressman George ID. Wise and others.
Thu Russian Government will. it Is said,
come to tho aid OF the Richmond tailor, as
will also his friends here.
MR.. POWDERLY'S VISIT.
Commissioner OF immigration Powderly
vino. as told IN the Dispatch, arrived here
Tuoedav night i'm connection with the
case. re conference yesterday morning
yith Dtstrict-Attorney Allan, and return
ed 10 Washington on the midday train
SIR. Powderly brought with him NUM-
bee Il rapers and documents ln cOnnec-
ticn with the case. and Mr.. Allan went
| over these papers IN a hurried way so as
| 10 gct the general facts In the case IN
proper shape lie cannot. however make
any Official use OF these papers until they
are transmitted % him by the Depart
ment OF Justice Mr. Allan has already
/ made an investigation. directed by the de-
| partmont. and he will take no iurther
/ steps until directed so TO do.
] "a NHUHG
| ton over the case, and as no appeal was
/ taken to him I'm due form, he could not
/ act in the matter but was obliged 20 let
the action Of the New York immigration
| Bureau Ga dep0rting Becker's alleged fam
! uv stand.
A TECHNICAL VIOLATION
The Federal authorities are satisfied
/ that Becker I'm applying for his natural IL
/ cation papers without having urst de-
+ clarcd his intention, was guilty or q
/ technical violation Of the statute, pu'
there Is believed 90 be some DOUBT li
f,. f.iuas .r least ~ some as tO whe-
/ ther there was any intentional violation
of the law. The man, having originally
I come 10 this country before ne p'cai''
of age. would have been entitled 10 ms
naturalization papers without having az
clared his intention two years before nae
/
time there. This deprived him or ina
right.
ono difficulty the government may nave
10 meet is that Of proving that Becke
wont ro Russia he $50 declares. IT Is true
but there must be direct evidence OF
this point before his confession can ID
considered II IS said that there IS
witness i'm Baltimore who can supply TN
testimony.
Becker may place the prosecution III
somewhat embarrassing position by ser
ting up the plea that his wife ana olde
children are his most important witness
as. and that they have been sent back u
Russia. OF course 10 bring them hcr
would mean the bringing also OF IN
younger children. who cannot be sepa
rated from their mother.
Among those on whom Mr.. POWDER
called yesterday was Mr. William II
Mullen. During the existence of IN
knights of Labor Mr.. POwdcrly and Nj
Mullen were warm friends. Some 81
weeks ago Mr. Mullen was Induced ID
friends 10 take AN interest in the Becke
case. and use his influence with MI
Powderly in behalf OF the Becker family
A1r Powderly assured Mr.. Mullen yestel
dav that IL Becker could prove that IN
marty claiming to be his wife was reall
his wife he would have the family brous.
hack without a cent of cost 10 Becker.