The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-07
VARIOUS VIEWS ON MURDER 0F zEL|G More Than Coincidence"
 Says Whitman
 e MIR. DOUGHERTY TALKS Believes Motive Was Revenge, But Gunmen in Prison Ridicule David sons Story--zeIig's Death Was
 Predicted Weeks ago

New York. october 6.-Deputy Police Commissioner DoughertS declared tonight he was satisfied the motive for the murder of Big Jack" zelig by Red Phil' Davidson here last night was not to seal Zeligs lips against former Police Lieutenant Charles Becker. who will be placed on trial tomorrow for the murder of Herman Rosenthal.
 After questioning Davidson for several hours today and Investigating events leading up to the killing of Zelig. tho deputy commissioner said he was inclined to credit Davidson's story that he killed zelig in revenge because the latter had robbed him.
 The Police View
 Though the tragedy occurred almost on the eve of the Becker trial and Zelig authorities are inclined to the opinion that the gunman's death with relation to the Rosenthal murder and police graft. was merely a coincidence.
 Lefty Louie, ''Gyp the Blood'' and other gunmen who are awaiting trial for the murder of Rosenthal ridiculed Davidsons story when seen in their cells tonight and insisted that Zelig's taking off was to prevent his appearance at Bald Jack Rose, who will be state witness against Becker, had warned Dis trict Attorney Whitman that zelig never would live to testify against the police.
 District Attorney Whitman tonight, though admitting that no proof had yet been found to indicate that Zelg's death was the result of q conspiracy, was in clined to regard the murder as more than coincidence.' The prosecutor in- sisted that he had subpoenaed Zelig ia the Becker trial, and said he had ex- pected his testimony to have an import ant bearing on the case. He added, how ever. that he had other witnesses who Knew the facts he had planned to reveal through Zeig.
 Used P0liceman's Revolver
 investigation of Davidson's story today revealed the fact that the revolver ne used in Killing Zelig had been the prop erty of q Brooklyn policeman. It was purchased in Jersey City pawnshop. The policeman. called upon to explain. declared he had lost the revolver. The pawnbroker corroborated Davidson's story that he purchased the revolver yesterday afternoon. The pawnbroker said the weapon had been pledged more than a year ago.
 Commissioners Dougherty today broke down Davidson's first statement that Zelig had held him up in a hallway and robbed him of si00. Zellg Davidson asserted, held him Up at the point of d gun in cloak room of Bowery dance hall Friday night and took about si7 from him
 Davidson was arraigned today and re- manded without ball 10 the TDmba. He was placed on the same tier with Becker and some of the gunmen charged with Rosenthal's murder. Both he and Becker denied they knew each other. David son admitted acquaintance with Lefty Louie" and "Whitey" Lewis.
 He also told Dougherty he had held successive jobs as harness maker, dance hall performer and jewelry and clothing peddler
 Becker Trial Begins Today
 New York. october 6.--Chafles Becker formerly a lieutenant in the New York police department, will be placed on trial tomorrow on an indictment charging him with the murder of Herman Rosentnal. a gambler alleged to have betrayed ti4e system.
 Becker will be called before Justice Golf especially designated by Governor Dix to preside over tie case in the crim- iuaI branch of fhc ferfruina1 courf nd