The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-07-30
WEBER BACKS HIM UP
Policeman Came to Them at
the Murray Hill Baths,
They Testify.
BOTH IN DEADLY FEAR
Men Whose Information Causes
Arrest, Guarded in Whit
mans Office.


last night and held by Judge Mulqueen
for murder In the first degree after
Jack Rose. Becker's collector Of gam
bling money. had confessed that the
Police Lieutenant had ordered him to
have Herman Rosenthal killed.
The arrest and arraignment Of Becker
followed swiftly after Roses confession
and the confessions II Pridgie webber
and Harry Vallon, who corroborated
Rose In important particulars.
District Attorney Whitman, question
ing the three prisoners for four hours
one against the other until they all
broke down and said Rosentaal was
shot in front of the Metropolis by IL
hired gang because Lieut.. Becker
wanted 1t done.
The Grand Jury acted speedily. With
their confessions warm on their lips.
Rose, Webber and Vallon went before
the Grand Jury. put their hands on tn.
Bible and swore they had told the whole
truth. Within an hour the former COM
mander Of the strong arm squad was
In cell in the Toinbs.
But the men who placed him there
did not dare to leave the District At
torney's office. Shaking from fear, they
begged the District Attorney to keep
them for the night in his office And
there they stayed under guard of four
OF MIR. Whitman's detectives
Becker Ordered Murder. says Rose.
Roses confession. the most vital of
the three, details how Becker six weeks
ago told him that Herman Rosenthai
had lived too long. that Roscnthal had
10 be put out of the way, and that the
men who did the job had nothing to
fear because he. Becker. was power
in the Police Department. So Rose
went out and spread the word that the
strong arm commander said that
| Rosenthal must be killed
He dropped hints here and there. He
did more. He sent for Big Jack Zellg
and held conference with that gang
leader of the East Side. Through
Zelig. ranging downward through the
strata of thugs and hired assassins the
arrangements were completed.
The four men who pistolled Rosenthal
by this arrangement were Whitley
|
Clip the Blood. Rose admits that he
rounded them up that night and saw
that they We're poised for the crime.
1t was for this purpose that the gray
car Of Libby and Shapiro was used.
Rose Is not sure. however. that they
esca ped in the gray car. but he points
to Becker's promises Of protection AZ q
proof that the murderers did go clear
Of the police that night.
Phoncd just After Murder.
The general manager of the killing.
Rose. called Becker up by phone y
few minutes after Rosenthal was dead
on the sidewalk in front Of the Metro
pole. lie told Becker It was a horrible
thing. He said It was more than he
expected.
He was frightened clear to his heart.
and he was afraid to stir without q
word OF confidence from his master.
And Becker said over the telephone,
while ne was making preparations for
n hurried trip down to the Tenderloin:
"Oh. don't worry. I'll protect you
There won't be much fuss over this"
A few minutes later in the shadows
Of the Murray Hill baths In Forty-sec-
ond street. Just west Of Sixth avenue
Lieut.. Becker. calm and collected. and
with perfect confidence in his reassur-
ance to the nervous and trembling Rose
said:
Don't be worried about this matter
I'll see To it that none Of the boys gel
into jail"
For two days after that whispered
conference Lieut.. Becker kept In touch
with Rose, calling him up twice n day