Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-08-03
BECKER CHARGED
WITH MURDER
New York Police Lieutenant
Is Under Arrest
THREE GAMBLERS CONFESS
Rose, Webber and WALTON Declare
Becker Ordered RosenthaI Killed
and Promised Protection.

Lieutenant Charles Becker was ar
rested In New York city and held by
Judge Mulqueen Tor murder In the
first degree, after Jack Rose, Beckcr's
collector for gambling money. had
confessed that the police lieutenant
had ordered TO have Herman Rosen.
thai killed.
The arrest and arraignment OF
Becker followed swiftly after Roses
confession and the confessions of Bird
gey Weber and Harry WALTON, who
corroborated Rose in every important
particular.
District Attorney Whitman. question
ing the three purisoners for four hours.
pounded one against the other until
they all broke down and said Roscn-
thai was shot down in front Of the
Metropole by hired gang because
Becker wanted IL done.
The grand jury acted speedily. With
their confessions warm on their lips,
Rose. Webber and WALTON went before
the grand jury. put their hands on the
Bible and swore that they had told the
whole truth.
Within an hour the former CON-
mander of the strong arm squad was
in n cell In the Tombs But the men
who placed him there did not dare to
leave the district attorneys Office.
Shaking with fear. they begged the
district attorney TO keep them for the
night in his Office. And there they
stayed, under guard OF four OF Mr.
Whltman's detectives.
Roses confession. the most vital OF
the three, details how Becker six
weeks ago told him that Herman Ro
seminal had lived too long. that Ro.
senthal had to be put out OF the way.
and that the men who did the job had
nothing to fear. because he tBecker)
was a 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 Selig and
held a conference with that notorious
gang leader OF the East Side.
The four men who pistoled Rosen.
thai BY this arrangement were Whitley
Lewis. Lefty Lewis. Dago Frank and
Gypsy Blood" Rose admits that he
rounded them up and saw that they
were poised for the crime. II was
for this purpose that the gray car Of
Libby was used Rose Is not sure that
they escaped In the gray car. but he
points to Becker's promises of protec-
ton AS proof that the murderers did
get clear OF tho police.
The general manager OF the killing,
Jack Rose. called Becker up by phone
few minutes after Rosenthal was
dead on the sidewalk in front OF the
a horrible thing. He said IL was more
than he expected. He was frightened
clear to the heart. and he was afraid
TO stir without a word OF confidence
from his master. And Becker said
over the phone. while Rose was max.
ing preparations for a 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 shadow
OF the Murray Hill baths. Lieutenant
Becker, calm and collected. and with
perfect confidence In his reinsurance
to the nervous and trembling Rose,
said:
Don't you be worried over this mat
ter. I'll see to II that none OF the boys
get into Jail"
The bald gambler. who included In
his confession frank statement that
for long time he had been collecting
money for gambling. not only for Lieu.
tenant Becker. but for officers higher
up in the police department. swears he
did not know that murder was 10 be
done the night his hired thugs met at
Bridgey Webber's and sat there wait.
ing for the signal that Rosenthal. the
squealer. was about to leave the Hotel
Metropole. Rose says he knew some.
thing was to be done to Rosenthal, but
that he would have fiinched from the
task II he had known that pistols were
to be used against the informer
Bridgey Weber. the host OF the
0iuidti touolitaAotot buthtu UP ftobes
and told OF what was said when he and
Rose met Becker up town few days
before the murder. Becker was hot for
the killing.
AS for Harry WALTON. his confession
was the least important OF the three.
But, like Webber. he supported Rose
In substantial particulars. Denying
that he was present when the muir.
der was committed. WALTON admits that
he was at the Metropole few minutes
previously and that he was cognizant
OF the arrangements.
Rose said also that Becker had told
him that $2.400.000 was the yearly Do
lice graft from gambling. disorderly
houses and other forms OF blackmail.
Rose swore that Becker had con.
fided to him that the loot was divided
among four police officials. Becker
himself. two policemen OF higher rang
and minor Official who does not wear
a uniform.