New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-26
BUCKNER RAISES, THEN
QUELLS, LEGAL TEMPEST
RumOr That Aldermen Would
Call Becker Witnesses Rouses
Counsel on Both Sides.
WON'T HAPPEN, HOWEVER
Waldo May Be Asked to Explain
Activities of Three Strong
Arm" Squads and His Re-
sponsibility for Them.

The report Yesterday that the alder
rapic committee investigating the graft
situation intended 10 inquire into the
covers and activities of the three strong
srn," squads maintained at Police Head
quarters to deal with gambling. AT an
o.rlv session Of the committee. brought
doun storm Of protest from John +.
NcIntyre, chief counsel for Lieutenant
CHARLES Becker VINO was at the head of
one of the gambling squads before he
WAS indicted on a charge of instigating
,bs murder Of Herman Rosenthal..
Acting District Attorney Moss also pro-
tested against the possibility of the in
o,iry leading into channels which might
tend to embarrass the case Of the pros
scytion against Becker.
Mr.. Mcintyre declared that an inquiry
INTO the strong arm" squad would
necessarily relate TO Becker. and 81 take
Il" he said, that an effort will be made
90 show official corruption"
II the inquiry took such a turn. MI
NcIntvre declared it would be unfair and
most prejudlcial to his clients interests
ard might generate such feeling IN the
community as would tend. perhaps, GO
dsorive Becker Of fair and unbiased
hearing before a jury of his peers.
Beckers counsel asserted that he might
,bs called upon in such n situation 10
max. an effort TO enjoin the aldcrmanic
Investigation until after the Becker trial
Mcintyre Searches Authorities.
. 49,. go ,..i-4,c en- tho au-
,horities last night 10 find out what form
~ procedure nc could avail himself OF TO
prohibit the continuance or the alder
,,.nis Investigation if such an emergency
arose. lie thought that some KIND OF
,rt Of prohibition" would be available
n the Supreme Court.
~ Becker is 10 be tried in two places
81 the one time I may be compelled TO
resort 10 a legal principle never petofe
invoked in this country" he said.
Assistant District Attorney Moss as
.,ned from the reports he heard that
Emory r. Buckner, chief counsel for the
,8.rmsnic committee, intended TO call
certain witnesses IN tho Becker case 20
testify IN regard TO certain phases OF the
rambling situation as handled by the po-
nee.
That would not he permitted by the
Instruct Attorney, Mr.. Moss said. and II
such an effort was persisted In by the
committee he might have 10 resort to con-
tempt Of court proceedings before Justice
Golf, who Is sitting in the extraordinary
terms Of the Supreme Court, where Beck
tr is 10 be tried.
Mr.. Buckner set at rest the anxiety or
the Acting District Attorney last night
when he heard OF the threatened comph-
cations BY announcing that he did not in
tend 10 call any Of the Becker witnesses
81 have not the slightest idea OF calling
any Of the Becker witnesses" he said
THE committee does not intend TO do
anything that will embarrass the District
Attorney in his work in the Becker case.
Runor True in Part.
Mr.. Buckner added, however. that the
present plan OF the committee was to go
ahead with the investigation into the ad-
illustrative policy Of the Police Depart
ment In handling the various forms Of
vice, Including gambling, excise and dis
orderly houses He was not sure which
subject would be taken UP first at Satur-
days hearing, he said. Police Commits
sloner Waldo will be recalled as witness
before the committee on Saturday. and he
will be questioned closely in regard 10 his
policy in handling vice, IL is understood.
Other witnesses may he called later and
examined along the same lines.
Naturally the inquiry into the gambling
situation IN relation 10 the police policy
IN dealing with that particular form OF
vice will lead 10 an investigation OF the
organize ton. activities and powers OF the
strong arm" squads. II Is probable
Becker's names together with that or
Lieutenant Dominick Riley and others,
who have been at the head Of these
squads will figure in that branch OF the
inquiry. II would not surprise any one
Who has followed the hearings before the
sl4ermanlc committee II Commissioner
Waldo would be examined at~some length
In regard 10 his responsibility Tor
Becker as the head of one OF the strong
arm" squads.
II may be recalled that Mr.. Buckner,
counsel for the committee. has not mem
toned Becker b. name during the inves-
tgation so far The only time that Beck
er's name was mentioned was when
Mayor Gsynor was witness.
The Mayor showed no compunctlon III
referring 10 the indicted lieutenant BY
name and declared he was convinced that
Becker had been the moving spirit among
the grafters in the Police Department.
Mayor Gaynor incidentally told at the
time Of sending an anonymous letter COM
plh'ning about Becker to Commissioners
Waldo year ago. The Commissioner
may be asked In regard 10 that letter
whether he had any reason to distrust his
"ttr0nQ man gfpca that tina