The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-05
WALDO WANTS AN
IMPARTIAL PROBE
Charges Against Police Will
Be Investigated
BECKER ARRANGEMENT
Police Commissioner Waldo Intimates
Gamblers Obtain What Is the
Same as Protection from
the Courts

alive to the Rosenthal case, recommended
an impartial and thorough investigation
of the charges against the alleged con-
nection of police and gamblers. At the
same time he declared that gambling car
exist only because the gamblers can OBJ
tain what amounts to protection from
the courts, and asserted that gamblers do
much of the corrupt election work of
the political parties who place the judi
ciary on the bench.
While the issuance of this statement
was the most important development to-
day, 1t was stated at police headquarters
that detectives were close on the trail
of Lefty" and "Gyp," the two remain
ing gangmen sought in connection with
the murder.
Inspector Hughes spent his third day IN
personal charge of the force of detectives
near Tannersville, in the Catskills.
1t is known positively that "Gyp the
Blood" Lefty and whitley Lewis
were In Tannersville last week. Lewis
left the others TO go to Fleschermann' s.,
where he was captured.
"Gyp the Blood and Lefty Louie
however, are believed TO have remained
in Tannersville.
Both Lefty and ..Gyp the Blood are
known as desperate men, reputed to be
dead shots. They are believed to be
armed. A hard fight is looked for by
the police when the detectives finally
attempt to arrest the alleged murderers.
Becker Prepares for Ordeal
District Attorney Whitman. who has
been spending the week end at Man
chester, VT, will return to this city to-
morrow and resume his work In the case.
Lieutenant Charles Becker, deposed head
of the 'strong arm squad" was today
preparing himself in his cell in the Tombs
for his ordeal tomorrow when he will
be arraigned Neither he nor the other
eight prisoners held made any statements
today.
Commissioner Waldo declared in his
statement that at no time In its history
has tho police so we'll prepared to stand
an investigation as at present.
"The best interest of the public and
of the police department itself demand
that thorough and impartial investi-
cation be made without delay in that
the guilty. If any. be brought to justice
and that the confidence of the people
be restored in the police. My only de-
sire Is that every allegation which has
been made shall be thoroughly investi-
gated and everyone who is guilty of
wrong doing shall be dismissed from the
police department.
Protection from Courts
Gambling can exist only because the
gamblers can obtain what amounts to
protection from the courts. Gamblers
do much of the corrupt election work
of the political parties who place the
judiciary on the bench. Members of the
police department could not obtain graft
from gamblers il they did not have the
excuse that while it was matter Of
common knowledge that gambling was
being carried on in a given house they
could not obtain evidence which the
courts would accept as even sufficient
proof on which to issue warrants.
Gambling would not be police prob
lem if the courts would convict man
of gambling on the same evidence as
they would convict him of murder Or
burglary. Gambling cannot be suppressed
without the cooperation of the courts.
mo attempt Is made by any members
of the department to deny the existence
honest or dishonest inspector for house
that is running is that he is unable to
secure the necessary evidence on which
he can obtain warrants for entry to sup
press the nuisance.
Check System
ut Is impossible to say that under the
system of checks now employed there can
be no grating In the police department,
but II can be safely said that there has
been no protection sold which any one
has been in an official position to de-
liver
The systematic circulation of false
runors against the police administra-
ton cannot be attributed entirely to
malevolence. 1t is necessary to see some
other cause. For months prior to the
publication OF the Rosenthal affidavit IT.
was common rumor amongst gamblers
that fund was being raised and that
young newspaper men were being en-
pl0yed as press agents for the purpose
of diserediting the police administration.
which had caused the gamblers to close
their DOORS
"Jack' Rose expressed tonight such real
fear of death in zone way or another in
revenge for his confession. that it is un-
derstood the district attorneys office
will insist on extra precautions by tho
police to protect Rose When reminded
today that he was due to appear before
Coroner Feinberg tomorrow, he ex-
claimed to his counsel:
MY God. / don't want to go there.
I'm sure they'll put me out of the way
Hire they did Selig."
Selie It was recalled, was shot within
few feet OF the doorway NJ the GRIM
inal courts buildings, as the ganester
was leaving it, just after his arraign-
ment recently. HtsiT Y
Rose said that he had been receiving
all kinds Of threatening letters and post
cards.
10 the police because Lieutenant Becker
had advisyl him to. Becker said thai
WOULDN'T be Detained said Rose but
would just have to answer some ques-
tions by Dougherty and then they would
turn me out"