The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1912-10-11
ON EVE OF The
BECKER TRIAL
big Jack" zeig Killed With
POIiCGmdn'S Gun
SLAYER is QUICKLY CAUGHT

Witness Against Becker, Charged
With the Murder of RosenthaI-
Graft Case Against Police Killed
New York, Oct. 7.-Baf1ed so far
In their efforts to connect Philip Day.
idson, the slayer, and the events sur
rounding the murder by him of big
. Jack" Zelig as the latter sat complac-
emily smoking a cigarette on the end
of an open northbound Second avenue
street car, with the killing of Herman
Rosenthal, the gambler, who met
death in somewhat similar circum-
stances, the police are bringing every
influence at their command to bear on
Davidson to induce him to give a COM
plete and detailed account of the
events which led to the murder of the
leader of the east side gunman Satur-
day night.
The first and most important cir
cumstances being investigated is the
revolver which was taken from David
son less than minute after he sprang
onto the running board of the street
car and, placing the muzzle of the
weapon close behind the gun
mans ear, pulled the trigger and sent
bullet crashing through his brain.
Leaping from the car the murderer
was escaping across Fourteenth street
toward First avenue, when Policeman
Schmidt, in citizens clothes, seized
him, threw him to the ground and
took the still smoking gun from his
hand.
An examination of it disclosed that
it was the pattern carried by police
men. Further sitting developed that
it had been the property of police
man who travels out Of the Fifth av-
enue station, Brooklyn. While the
name of the policeman who once
owned the revolver has been kept Sc
cret, it is known that his number is
1872.
In an effort to trace the steps which
AOAiO"CN IAC AO00 VI btlO III ny LuO
policeman, Deputy Commissioner
Dougherty is responsible for the state
ment that the policeman has told him
that he lost the revolver some time
ago. Dougherty, accompanied by De-
tective LHeureaux, went to a pawn
shop in Jersey City in an effort to cor
roborate Davidson's story that he
bought it in sucha shop for IS that he
might avenge himself on Zelig for the
theft from him Of nearly $500, which
sum has after been proved, the police
say, to have been but SIT.
District Attorney Whitman took part
in an eight hour grilling of Davidson,
which, to large extent, only brought
about confirmation from him of his
original story, to the effect that he
shot Zelig because the latter had
backed him into a doorway, beaten
him up and robbed him of his savings.
That the district attorney is worried
over the killing Of zelig cannot be
denied. He, it is said, had just about
convinced Zelig that the best thing he
could do would be to go the witness
Charles Becker, which begins today,
and tell ali he knows about the ar
rangements which were made between
him and Bridge" Weber and Jack"
Rose, by the terms of which he sup
piled for them the quartet of gunner
who killed Herman Rosenthal in front
of the Metropole cafe.
His removal by death is looked upon
by the prosecution in the Becker case
as one Of the greatest setbacks they
have received since the investigation
following the murder Of the gambler
started. II was expected. II is said,
that Zelig's test would furnish the
connecting link, the link that would
forge the chain of evidence connecting
Lieutenant Becker directly with the
lowest stratum OF the underworld.
Just how he will accomplish this, now
that Zelig's lips have been closed by |
a murderer's bullet, the district at
torney as yet has not indicated.
Incidentally, perjury charges which
It was thought by the district attorney
would be easy to prove against Stein |
ert and White, two of Becker's |
strong arm squad" are now certain
to fall for lack Of evidence.
Zelig charged that the two men
framed up" on him by placing a re-
volver in his pocket after arresting |
him in the very cafe from which he |
started TO his death. He was charged,
after the alleged frame up" with |
carrying concealed weapons. It was
on this accusation that the police ex-
pected to send him to Sing Sing for a |
long term.
Herman Rosenthal was shot before |
dawn on the day he was 10 unfold a |
story Of police graft to District At
torney whitman.
big Jack" Zellg was slain two days |
before the trial Of Becker for the muir
der Of Rosenthal. He was TO testify that |
Becker's order forced the murder Of |
Rosenthal, and he was approached
several lines By men close 70
the police lieutenant with the sug-
gestion that he provide some Of lia