The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-30
Indictment and Arrest of PO-
lice Lieutenant Becker
Reveals the HideOusness of the
New York Police System.
AFTER The men HIGHER UP
More Indictments of Public
Officers Are Expected.
How Murder Band Was Hired
to Kill ROsenthaL

New York. July so.-The Indictment
and arrest of Police Lieutenant Charles
Becker for the murder of the gambler,
Herman Rosenthal. soon after the
confessions of Bald jack Rose,
''Bridgis'' Webber and Harry Vsalon re-
vealed today to District Attorney Whit
man the police system" in all It's
hideousness The public prosecutor
following the trail of the three con-
fessions, continued his search Tor evt-
dence that would implicate those higher
up than Becker, and more indictments
of police officials are expected Dy the
district attorney. The arrest OF Becker
laws barr a scandal in the police de-
partment that threatens to shake IT TO
it's foundations, for Mr.. Whitman Pc
ueyes the story of police graft has only
"Rald Jack Rose confessed that
Becker came to him and, fairly oes-
perate over RosenthaPs intention OF
telling all he knew of his relauons
with the police lieutenant said:
"Rosenthal has lived too long he
has got to be put out OF the way
Rose told the public prosecutor anu
the grand jury how the rnuroe[ pSa1 11.-
was hired at the instigation OF 0scASt
and that after the killing Becker met
with webber and himself and promised
complete police protection. Inc u. con
fessions show that the murderers were
Lefty Louie" or Louis RosenWesss
Harry Horowitz, or Glib. the Blooo,
Frank Muller, or "Whltle IacA -Siror
and "Dago Frank Cirofci- only Clro-
fici has been apprehended-
Were Paid $1,000.
These gunmen, members ofthe MOTOR
fous big jack Selig gang Piled rhenn-
selves with liquor and then went out
and shot Rosenthal for a price said to
be $4,000. Terror stricken, Rose, wen
Der and Vallon spent the night IN the
public prosecutors office fearing that
they would be murdered If tney We're
taken to the Tombs prison Distrlct
ATTORNEY whitman believes his case
against Lieutenant Becker is Without
flaw; that the confessions, taken separ-
ately dovetailed and from that the teS-
timony of other witnesses the case
against Becker cannot be broken down.
BALD Jack Rose gambler, who says
he was Becker's gambling house col
lector felt the ground slipping from un-
der him day by day: without money
or friends, he realized that he was be-
ing made to bear the weight Of the
crime. His counsel advised him TO con-
fess. Rose became completely terrihed-
To his counsel James Sullivan he said-
"If you see to it that my wife and chill
dren are protected, I'll come across and
tell the truth about this. am afraid it
will be the end of me. No cell on earth
will be strong enough to keep the life
in a man who gives up about this kill
ing"
Intimations were made to Rose that
an indictment might be expected
against him, and then he confessed.
Roses Confession.
Herford Marshall, counsel for Jack
Sullivan" Jacob Reich) the go-be-
tween of Becker and Jack Rose, now
held in the Tombs in connection with
the case announced this morning that
Sullivan was ready to tell all he knew
on the witness stand and his story
woud prove more astounding than any
yet told. Sullivan, he said, would not
talk to either the police or the district
attorney.
Intimations were made to Rose that
an indictment might be expected
against him and then he confessed
Counsel for Weber and Vallon, catch
ing the drift of things. also advised
their clients to tell the truth and be-
come immune. Rose told Whitman
that for long time he had been Beck
er's gambling house collector; that
Becker as head of the gambling house
squad. smelled out profitable places,
and that each month collections were
made. Becker did not get all the
money, Rose says, but some of Ii was
distributed to others. Rosenthai was
a thorn in Becker's side. Becker had
pressed Rosenthal to the wall, accord
ing to Rose, and Rosenthal threatened
to make things public. Six weeks be-
fore the killing, Rose says Becker sent
for him and said RosenthaI must be
made away with Rose says he went
a deal for his gunner. Seelig was un-
der Indictment for carrying concealed
weapons and the possibility of a stay
in Sing Sing prison did not appeal to
him. Consequently Rose says when
he promised to see that nothing hap
pened when Seelig came to trial there
was no trouble getting the gunmen.
Swallowed Day and Night.
All the gun men were informed to
be ready to kill RosenthaI, who in the
meantime had been shadowed day and
night. A few days before the killing
Rose says he met Webber and Hecker
and while the three were talking il
over Becker said to Webber:
This job has got to be done and
Rose says they won't do it for him.
Now Bridgie you can get it done. They
all know you. You have got the money
and I have got the power. I'll protect
everybody"
Rose and Webber say they believed
Becker would send them away and had
the power 4 do it. Then the murder
plot unfolded itself
Monday night came and with it the
word for the gunmen to get together,
Rose told how he got the assassins to-
gether and how after the killing he
went over to the Hotel Meropole to see
how the job had been done. Rosenthal
lay dead upon the sidewalk with
ts BILE cloth spread over him.
Rose says he went to telephone
booth and called up Lieutenant Becker.
but he was so unnerved by the shock
that he could only gasp:
MY God, this is horrible"
Becker. Rose says in his confession
replied over the wire in steady voice: