davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
DIDN'T KNOW. SAYS HART
Becker's Lawyer Denies He
Was Aware Rose Was Wanted.

John W. Hart. counsel for Lieutenant
Charles Becker. denied yesterday that he
had discussed with Jack" Rose on the
night OF July i6 anything except an sfIi-
davit that lie obtained from the gambler
in behalf OF Becker, and he also denied
that he knew at the time that Rose was
being sought by the police on a murder
charge. All other questions put to Mr..
Hart brought from him only a declina-
ton TO answer.
"It is absolutely false TO say that had
any talk with Rose beyond the discussion
OF an affidavit" said Mr.. Hart.
Rose had told the District Attorney that
Hart came TO Pollok's house on the night
OF July lG. the evening after the murder
Of Herman Rosenthsi. to obtain an affi-
davit that the 81 500 mortgage taken by
Rosenthal vas made with his. Roses
money, and not by Becker. Rose made
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
TRAP IN Pitts CELLAR
Becker's Press Agent Suspects
It's a Telegraphone.

Charles Pitt. Becker's press agent. was
indignant yesterday over the discovery
that there had been planted IN his house
what he thinks must be dictagraph OF
the kind used by Burns detectives He
took the internal machine" from his cel'
lar and turned it over to his lawyer Tor
such action as the law may permit.
Thursday night. Pitt said, he was SIT
ting at his window in an apartment on
the ground floor at No. 81 West uS:n
street, when he noticed that two wires
had been laid from the ground 10 HIS
window He Immediately suspected some
mischief" and began an investigation.
Following the copper threads, he ~"
that they led into the cellar of the house.
There. he said, he found a box about N
by 3 inches filed with some kind q
powder and machinery unknown 10 him
He jumped TO the conclusion that thi'
must be telegraphone. the new diota-
graph device. perhaps planted there l.
Burns detectives.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
IS CUBA KEEPING CLEAN7
House Measure Would Require II to
Guard Against the Plague.

Washington, Aug. 2.--Protection against
bubonic plague from Cuban ports Is the
purpose of resolution introduced IN the
ouse to-day by Representative Foss, OF
Illinois. which asks that the Secretary OF
state be directed to report to Congress al
its next session II the Cuban Republic IS
living up to the provisions of the Cuban
treaty of May %. 1903. which required
that government to keep Its cities In
clean and sanitary condition.
The resolution recites that reports state
the unclean conditions OF Cuban cities Is
responsible for bubohic plague, which Is
a menace TO American ports. 1t also pro-
vides for Congress committee OF ave 70
investigate the sanitary condition OF CUBA.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
BRIGHTEN GIRL WITNESSES
Threats of Death Make Them
DENY an Identification.

Katherine Connors. a ffteen-year-old
g!rl who lives at No. 5O' west ootfl
street, is one Of the two witnesses OF the
killing OF Michael Collins. who was shot
on Eleventh avenue. near 52d street. IN
July 6 When called to testify at The in
ouest before Coroner Helleaste!n yester-
day afternoon she AT first denied th'e
she could Identify Daniel OLcary bar
tender. of No. 5O7 West Sth street. "a
the mar who had done the SHOOTING
This was In spite OF the fact that on july
20 she had signed statement t""t
O'Lear Was the man.
When she was pressed for reason ior
denv,ng the statement that she NAd
signed the girl said reluctantly ina, she
had been threatened BY Hleh"s o.
O'L.eary. The girls mother SAID tha'
Katharine was afraid that she WouId De
killed II she persisted In Identifying
o'I.eary az the man who had shot 'ol-
Inns. and declared further that the entire
family feared bodily injury, If not deata.
Hattie Weber. sixteen years Old II
No 40 West SD street. who was with
Katherine Connors. also changed her tes-
timony for time and denied that sue
had said that SIZE saw O'Leary shoot Col
Inns.
The girls became Drawer however when
they heard Lieutenant Kerr. OF the west
9th street station say that he intended
IN break up the gang on the West Side
md that he would get the men VINO hao
threatened them. O'Leary was heio ioF
trial after the girls had decided to stick
TO their original stories.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
DOOR OPEN FOR SCHEPPS
Sam Still at Large, but Is
Expected TO Walk In

sam Schepps. sought BY the police
as one Of those implicated in the Rosen
thai murder. remained in seclusion yes
terday, despite promises extended through
his lawyer that he might show up In Dis
trict Attorney Whtman's office. Intima-
tons from various sources persisted how
ever. that ultimately his relatives would
prevail upon him TO come out to face his
lot
His counsel. Bernard Sander. declared
yesterday that he was absolutely ignoran:
as TO whore Schepps was. The lawyer
said he had been retained by a brother
or the man sought 10 look after his In
ierests in case false accusations should
be made against him.
The report that Schepps was under a
federal indictment or that he was wanted
by the federal authorities in an opium
smuggling case was denied by Mr.. Sand
Ter. Denial was also made by Deputy
Commissioner Dougherty.
J. VI. Sullivan, counsel for Rose. visited
his client In the West Side court prison
yesterday and conferred with him for a
short time. Later he paid brief visit 20
Assistant District Attorney Mdss. Mr.
Sullivan said that all his client wanted
there was a strained feeling among Rose
WALTON and Weber
From his cell in the rombs Becker sent
word yesterday that he had nothing 10
say 10 the press.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03

tho assertion 10 Mr. Whitman that Hart
had not only talked with him about the
murder of Rosenthal. but had also dis
cusscd with him his, Roses. relation 70
Becker
Did YOU know when you called on Rose
that the New York Police Department
presumably including your client. Becker
was searching for Rose?' Hart was
asked.
NO" was his answer.
commissioner Dougherty said several
days ago that he was looking for Hose as
a murderer at noon on Tuesday. July To-
and that night about II o'clock. Hart had
his talk with Rose. who was hiding In his
brother-in-law's house. Becker was stu
doing duty as a lieutenant at Ponce
Headquarters.
Hart was asked To give the name or the
notary public who signed the affidavit
obtained By him that night from Rose,
but he declined TO do II on the ground
that tie interests Of his client were In
volvsd.
/, became known. however, that Hart
had been subpGnaed TO appear before inc
grand Jury on Thursday and to bring "ith
him the affidavit IN question.
Among the numerous questions which
Hart declined TO answer was whether
William Travers Jerome had been MS
messenger TO Police Commissioner Waldo
and equal reticence was observed by him
az TO whether Mr.. Jerome was 20 be allied
with him in the defence OF Becker.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
CURRAN PROMISES FUNDS
If City Won't Pay, He'll Start
Private Subscription.

Alderman II. II. Curran, who has been
the leader in initiating the investigation
OF the Police Department by special
committee of the Board OF Aldermen. eX-
pressed some doubt yesterday as to
whether the Tammany members OF the
board would cooperate with the fusion
majority TO the extent OF voting for the
appropriation needed for the work. There
Is no doubt that the resolution for the ap-
polntment OF the investigating committee
will go through. as that requires only a
majority vote. but all appropriations OF
money ust have a two-thirds vote.
81 am not sure that the Tammany men
will want TO take the attitude OF ham,
pering this investigation by refusing
money for it, said Alderman Curran. "as
It would indicate a desire to keep tho
truth from coming out. However, the
investigation will proceed and we will
have our own council, independent Of any
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
LINK EXISTS, SAYS COURT
Judge Swami Believes System
Cognizant of Gambling.

In refusing 10 remit a fine OF 500 he
had imposed, in addition to a prison SEN
tence. upon John Cotter. a gambler. Judge
Swami said yesterday that he believed
there was a connecting link somewhere
between the police System" and the
gamblers. Cotter has just finished his
sentence Of two years and six months,
and Louis Spiegel. his counsel. asked to
have the fine RENTED.
'T know something about the police
SYSTEM said Judge Swami, "and /
have had a great many gamblers before
me, although in my four years experience
on the bench Cotter Is the only one who
mas been convicted. believe that there
IS connecting link between the system
ard the gambling element
AS 7 said, Cotter is the only man who
has been convicted before me as o gam
bier. In almost every case the police bod
left a loophole through which the alleged
gambler wriggled 10 liberty. | have
known the District Attorney TO come TO
me and ask me to impose a hne' instead
OF a prison sentence. II the gamblers
pleaded guilty. He assured me that there
WAS so little evidence that conviction
was almost impossible, but that rather
than take the chance the gamblers would
plead guilty II they were sure that their
worst punishment would be fne. ordi-
narlly I agreed TO this procedure, for
then, at any rate. we had the man on
record as a convict
Judge Swami commented on the iacs
that az last the police had White
Lewis. one of several men whom he had
ho.n urging them TO take into custody on
various charges for some time.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03

Albert X. Lesinsl.y. who Is a law part
ner of Robert II. Hibbard. was one OF tne
successful bidders, it was learned yester-
day. at the auction sale OF the Van Cort-
landt estate property held on June and
TO- He was acting for Helen l.. Becker
and John Becker. Helen l.. Becker Is
the wife of Police Lieutenant Becker and
John Becker Is his brother
Mr.. Lesinsky got the lots for ST., 200
They form the plot 200x10O feet on the
easterly side of Gouyerneur avenue. 90
feet south OF Van Cortlandt Park South.
They are considered to be among the
choicest parcels OF block disposed OF
at this SALE which was partition action
TO settle the affairs OF the Van Cortlandt
estate. For this particular site there
were many bidders, and the price lot
81, 40o-owiDg to the spirited bidding was
about 500 more than the average sum
obtained for adjoining Gouverneur ave-
nue. sites.
Since the sale there have been mum ,r-
Gus reports that large number OF the
7l9 lots which were sold have again
changed hands at n considerable advance.
ana IL was tnOuRnt IN real estate circles
Yesterday that Mrs. Becker and John
Becker could realize a handsome profit
from their investment II they desired to
sell One lot just south OF the plot bought
at the sale for 1920 is said to have netted
it's owner profit of $500 after holding the
property less than three weeks.
According to the terms OF the auction
sale. titles to the various lots sold were
to have been transferred within thl, ~
days Therefore the buyers should have
got their deeds about July s, but extension
OF this time was granted by the Supreme
Court In several instances. This explains
the reason the documents by which Mr..
Lesinsky became the recorded owner OF
the lots were not filed until last week.
With the fling OF the deeds of CONVEX
ance TO him there was registered an as
signment OF the entire plot by Mr.. Lcsln-
sky TO Mrs. Becker and John Becker.
This assignment shows that Mrs. Becker
is the owner of five of the lots, the
auction price OF which was 5000, and
that John Becker got three lots for 1900.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03

SET carried on a traffic in white sia'ei'
that will startle both cities when the
facts are disclosed.
Soon after District Attorney " M
mans visit TO the Burns DetetiVe
Agency Superintendent Smith ca'ie'
in his operatives and started 'he"'
after the two men. The ponce Hiso
sent out several plainclothes men
Smith soon left his Office and remaine1
away all day, personally following an
important clew.
Shortly after noon Mr.. Whitman paiu
his bill at the Hotel Touraine anu
started for Manchester. VT, to JOIN MS
wife. IL is expected that he VIII spehu
few hours in Boston Monday morning.
when he returns to New York. To be
in close touch with the Boston situa-
ton he left orders to be called by teie-
phone if anything important developed
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
Novelist Sees Waldo.

Richard Harding Davis spent the
greater part of yesterday afternoon in
the inside offices OF Police Commits
sioner Waldo. What he was there for
he refused to say.
The Commissioner was asked re-
garding a published statement that he
had been advised by former District
Attorney Jerome as 10 the where
abouts Of Badly Jack" Rose before the
latter's arrest and after the murder.
Jerome did not tell me. That's fool
jsh. too foolish TO answer" he replied.
II is understood that kilograms have
been sent out to all sheriffs and county
detectives in the Catskills section ask
ing them to watch for Lefty Louie, v
sam" schepps and Glib the Blood"
Deputy Commissioner Dougherty was
asked regarding the reported activity
of Mrs. Sullivan, a police matron, and
Of Mrs. isabella g. Goodwin, the only
woman detective on the force, who
rounded up the taxicab gang that got
away with $50 900 from two bank mes
sengers. It was admitted that the two
women were doing a little work in the
Rosenthal case.
Dougherty issued a statement giving
a comparative record Of the first six
months work in the detective bureau
IN 1911 as compared with the same Pc
Rod Of 1912. 1t showed an increase in
efficiency.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03

agreed upon the point that they should
! first lay bare all possible facts about
the actual murder. but that eventually
they must and will go deeply into the
question of the general graft fund and
Of the corrupt alliance between ring
in the Police Department and law
breakers.
While the graft inquiry 3 being thus
subordinated TO the murder invcstiga-
ton. gamblers and hangers-on in the
gambling world are letting the District
Attorneys Office know that they Will be
ready to talk when called upon. Tips
and leads that will eventually make
the graft inquiry not only possible but
in all probability successful are COM
ing in daily and are being investigated
carefully.
The July grand jury, which began
the inquiry on the Rosenthal charges.
will be continued as q special grand
jury throughout the summer, If neces-
sary, to follow up the inquiry.
The records In the Police Department
of Inspectors Leahy, Cahalane and
Hayes were asked for yesterday by q
Tribune reporter. the request being
made first Of Winfield r. Sheehan. sec
rotary to Commissioner Waldo The
secretary said that such records were
not open 10 the public and would not
be shown to any one other than the
District Attorney Of the county.
Commissioner Waldo was then asked
whether the records of those men could
be examined.
ono" was the Commissioners reply
why not?" he was asked.
The records of men in the depart
ment are not public documents. to be
examined by any one who wants 10 see
them" replied Commissioner Waldo.
They would not be shown to any one
unless il was the District Attorney.
and not 10 him unless at his specific
request"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
"CHIEF" DEFENDS WALDO
Says His Administration Has
Been Best in Fifteen Years.

The Chief" a weekly devoted 10 the
interests OF public employees, comes to
the defence of Commissioner Waldo In
Its Issue, out to-day, in the following edi-
torial
The Chief would be derelct in its
uuty 10 It's readers and the general pub
lie II II In any way failed TO defend the
adminlstration that Rhinelander Waldo
has given as Police Commissioners Tha
fact that sensational murder has been
committed and the statement, II true.
that one or two or dozen gambling
places have obtained protection from one
or more OF the units assigned TO sup
press them no more prove n lack OF
good management than did the question
able hnancisl transactions Of trusted
chief clerk OF the Court Of Special Ses-
sions point TO any misconduct on the part
OF the judges OF that court
The Chief" knows that Mr. Waldo
administration has been the very best in
the fifteen years this newspaper has
ers and their policies. The Chief" in
making this statement. does not have 10
rely on any information. It's editor and
its STAFF have seen. and. seeing. have been
convinced.
Mr.. Waldo Is the first Commissioner TO
apply the square deal TO the men under
him. as well to the citizens who emf
ploy him. He is tho first Commissioner
10 carry out the full intent of the civil
service law IN relation to appoin tmonts
and promotions. He f. the frst Commits
sIoner to take from IS per cent OF the
force the stigma Of graft by placing in
the hands OF independent squads the re-
sponsibility for gambling and disorderly
houses. He is the first Commissioner "a
eliminate political influence in the de
partment Every one of the ten thousand
Ave hundred employees OF the Police D..
partment knows that what THE CHIEF
here states is absolutely true.
The people of the city to-day either DO
not know these facts or have given little
weight to them I'm the storm of hostility
that has broken over the department.
but THE Chief would rather be with
the minority that is right than with the
majority that is wrong. It's readers have
never been rnisled. The future will jus
inv the stand 1t mas taken. An impartill
Investigation will show that the present
polIce administration. in thu glare Of a
spotlight seldom placed upon any other
department or private corporation. is the
cleapest and most businesslilte in the en-
tir, history of our city.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
WHITMAN IN BOSTON
ON "LEFTY'S" TRAIL

hiding In Boston has been esta blished'
i. is understood. 1t Is said they were
seen here on Wednesday, when they
were recognized as they passed po-
liceman in front of a moving picture
house in fremont street. A New YORK
friend started TO speak TO them, but
they signalled him in time to prevent
his calling out their NAMES.
1t is known that the jnformer Of Dis
trict Attorney Whitman asked for i'm
munity from punishment for harboring
a criminal and for protection from vio-
lence II he betrayed the two New York
gunner.
Many Of the gambling men make the
seemingly improbable assertion that
Lefty Louie" is none other than
Spanish Louis a we'll known Boston
pool shark, the husband OF Mrs. Marie
Bassi who went to New York on Tues
day 10 aid the authorities in hunting
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03

down white slavers'' and gamblers. A
man supposed to be Spanish LOUIS
was shot and killed in New York TWO
years ago. and if the gangmen's victim
was another masquerading as Spanish
Louis" no hint of that fact has hitherto
got abroad.
Every nook and corner In the city Is
being searched by members of the Bos-
ton Police Department and Of me
Burns detective agency TO find the TWO
men wanted.
Before the investigation now started
Is finished it is believed that men
prominent in Boston gambling circles
will be drawn into the dragnet. MT
Whitman has at present in his posses
sion information which, it is under
stood. will prove conclusively that not
only were Boston gamblers and New
York gamblers allied, but that the same
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
ABOUT TO GIVE UP
ANYWAY, SAYS WHITE y

about the murder. He admitted that
at other times he had met certain mem
bers Of the gang under suspicion.
Lieutenant O'Brien, of Headquarters,
was assigned TO take the prisoner 10
the Criminal Courts Building TO intro
duce him to Coroner Feinberg. When
he passed out Of the side doors with
his man handcuffed TO his right wrist
the neighborhood surrounding Head
quarters building was on its way 10
the lunch counter, soda fountain and
saloon. 1t might have seemed to an
onlooker as II the lieutenant had In
vited all 10 join him at some picnic TO
be held at some point within walking
distance. Scores swarmed about the
policeman and his worried looking
prisoner. chatting. gesticulatins and
crowding on one another's heels.
Crowd at Their Heels.
So it continued for four blocks-all
the way to the Criminal Courts Build
ing. Every now and then the lieuten-
ant had to reach far out and none too
gently bump somebody I'm the back
with his closed hand. When the two
reached the grea: red brick building,
with the wide flights of entrance stairs.
the eXpectant crowd. who wasn't sure
what had excited II. stayed outside.
Inside the building was another
crowd. enc that knew the ms and outs
of the building and was not intimidated
by the sight Of n prisoner shackled TO
in the big hall. they were quickly sur
rounded by a new throng. lawyers.
runners" court attendants and their
friends. and many another. The de-
tective was besieged with questions
and advice. With elbows working, he
soon reached Part OF the Court Of
Special Sessions. and met Assistant
District Attorney Moss and Coroner
Feinberg
white grew more nervous when
he confronted the Coroner. Then tho
detective made the following affidavit:
While acting with others. known or
unknown Frank Muller did hold In his
hand revolver from which he dis
charged shot with felonious intent.
which shot struck Herman Rosenthai
causing injuries from which he suhse-
Quently died This statement made from
Information and belief IL Jack Rose and
others.
Louis Spiegel, who has offices At No.
l16 Centre street, represented the
gangman. The entrance 10 the law
yers Office several weeks ago was the
scene of the Big Jack" ZeliR shooting.
The Rangman refused To make any
statement To the court. lie was sent
10 the Tombs without bail TO await Il
further hearing on Monday.
Assistant District Attorney Moss
said. on gazing about at the rough
looking crowd outside the courtroom:
II tho police wanted 10. they could
go through that crowd and gather In
at least twenty men with concealed
weapons. That crowd has come ready
FOR anything. II is the same crowd. az
many a. twenty, anyway, that was
present at the Zelig arraignment'
4 short time before this Mr.. Moss
had said that the question OF vital i'm
portance was Just how high the graft
reached. who is responsible at the
ton for the graft ut the bottom?" he
asked.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
BALLOON DROPS INTO TREE
Strikes Air Hole and Shoots
Down 1900 Feet.

Rowe. Mass. Aug. after an ad-
venturous trip OF thirty-ive miles from
Pittsheld, the balloon Boston. with J..
j. Van Valkenburgh, president of the
Aero Club of New England, as pilot,
and William c. Hill. treasurer Of the
club. as passenger landed in Il small
clearing on top of Mount Adams, m
this town. late to-day.
While at a height Of 1900 feet thu
bag struck an air hole and dropped
like a stone until It broke the tops of
some poplar trees. when IL bounded M
again to a height Of GOO feet. Tho
greatest altitude it attained was o,Si0
feet
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-03
RHYME WON HIS FREEDOM
Parole Granted to Forger Whose
Verse Appealed to Judge.

ST. Louis. Aug. 2-Having heard thac
President Taft had granted pardon TO
a woman who had applied TO him in
verse Thomas L. Odom, of Atlanta. Ca,
serving a six months term in the work
house for forgery, appealed TO Judge
" uiIam \. Taylor In verse ana Was
paroled to-day, IN.
Odom's appeal for clemency closed with
,ba s,otaup,nf thar o. "a
being home with his wife and boy In
vacation time.