Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1912-08-01
HEAVY TOLL PAID.
POLICE GRAF tn Ii;
Gamblers Say Becker's Squad
Extorted So, 100000 From
Them-Money Divided By
Four Officials.

New York. Aug. 1.--Everly trail and
lead is to be followed persistentiy. no
matter where 1t ends by District At
torney Whitman to learn to whom, 1T is
asserted $2.4OOOOO graft money was
finally distributed.
Bald Jack Rose. whose confession
put Police Lieutenant Becker behind
the bars for the alleged murder of the
gambler. Herman Rosenthal. has told
the public prosecutor that this huge
sum of money was obtained by police
black mail from gamblers and disor-
derby houses and that Lieutenant Beck
er told him the money Went To four
police officials.
The public prosecutor has arranged
To keep the grand jury in session all
summer to investigate the relations be-
tween the gamblers and the police
which is ill the opinion of the district
attorney. a matter of more public inn
poriance than tho Rosenthal case.
District Attorney Whitman proposes
to break up the relations said TO exist
between the gamblers and the police
and he has indicated that he will do so
if he has To protect every man involved
i'm the murder OF Rosentha except
those who fired the shots.
What Will Becker Dor
Whether Lieutenant Becker will care
TO avail himself of AN opportunity to
make his own position easier by telling
the prosecutor the recipients of the
graft money which Bald Jack" Ross.
says he turned over To Becker is doubt
full. If Becker is disposed to toll his
story ii must be complete in every de-
tail, the district attorney is reported to
have said.
More than 30 witnesses will be sub
poenaed to appear before the grand
t,lI l.
police blackmail.
The information obtained from Rose.
who SAYS he was Beckers collector
from gambling houses. will be suscep-
tible of proof said the district attorney.
All records of gambling arrests will
| be closely scrutinized TO obtain evi-
dence i'm the case and District Attorney
Whitman is in possession of a list Of
big and little gamblers given him by
Rose. who. i'm his accusations against
Becker, said that when the police lieu
tenant took charge of the strong arm
squad he asked fo,. the names of gallib-
lers who could be made to give up for
police protection.
Gamblers Assessed
Rose says that Becker took the list
and determined how much money each
gambler was 10 be assassed for the
privilege of doing business unmolesletl.
Some gamblers. Rose said paid as high
as $500 Il month. while the little fellows
got off with anywhere from $50 TO SlOO
Il month.
Meanwhile Police Lieutenant Becker.
II prisoner in the Tombs. is saving
nothing and there is 10 confirmation
of the report that his defense will be
THAI the three gamblers. Rose, Nallon
and Webber. finding the case going
against them. got together and framed
the story that would involve Becker
T.f I'm, -tf,,,
he sent word to get the mon 10 slay
| Rosential. will appear when wanted.
| His counsel has told the public prose-
cutor that Zelig would tell everything
he knew nf the case Zelig is NOW out
on $4,000 bail for carrying concealed
| Weapons.
The alleged assassins of Rosenthal.
Harry HorowitZ or Glib the Blood .
Lefty Louie" and .'Whitey" louis are
| still ut large.
Dago' Frank cirofici is il custody.
/ III it can be proved that Police
Lieutenant Becker ;nstisated tho nlur-
der of Herman Rosenthal. the crime
cannot be condoned for any exposure
OF graft that he might he able To pro-
! duce.' said District Attorney Whitman
itoda y.
| Whitman's statement was by way of
answer To talk of immunity or lighter
treatment for Becker in the event of his
| disclosing the operation of the isys-
tenn"
"HowcNer." Mr.. Whitman added. lit
must be presumed that he is innocent
until he is proven guilty.
The district attorney will hold am
other conference with Rose This after
noon. Rose has assured him that he
| can implicate the much talked of ''nien
higher up
Roses estimate of the annual graft
of $2.400.O00 is regarded as conserva-
tive rather than excessive by the dis
trct attorney.
The authorities are Investigating a
report that James Nerrela. Il saloon-
keeper who was shot by gangsters
early today, was killed in revenge for
his betrayed Of "Rago Frank" Cirofico
alleged member of the gang that killed
Rosenthal.
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