Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1912-11-23
FEARING SAFETY
LUBANS ASK STAR
FOR PROTECTION
Call at This Office to
Tell Of Alleged
Police Threats.
ARE ESCORTED TO GOTHAM
BY REPORTERS OF STAR
Tell of Probable Attempts
Against Their Lives by
New York Gunmen.

Fearful for their lives Morris and
Jacob Luban, material witnesses for
the State of New York IN the trial
of former Lieutenant Becker and the
four gunmen, while they were un-
der indictment in Newark charged
with forgery, appealed to the Eve
ming Star late yesterday for protee-
tion to District Attorney Whitman's
office. Two reporters of the Star
escorted them from this city to New
York.
AS a matter of formality The Star
notified the prosecutors office and
two officers accompanied The Star
reporters and the Lubans as far as
the Hudson tubes.
The brothers were promised i'm
munity by Prosecutor Mott if their
testimony in the famous murder trial
proved beneficial to the prosecution,
and being informed that the evidence
of Morris had aided much in the
conviction of the murderers, Mr..
Mott moved that the charges be dis
missed and that the men be liberated.
Judge Martin approved the motion
and the men went to the county jail
to collect what belongings were there.
From the Jail the men went to po-
lice headquarters, and it was there
that they claim that an official re-
marked: IF l was not afl aid of los
ing my job would fill you full OF
holes" That another official said;
"All the squealers are getting on,
was declared by Morris Luban, who
also claims that the officer who said
he would shoot them grabbed him
by the shoulder and drew back to
strike him. but was prevented from
doing so by another official. who
participated in their arrest in New
ark last August.
Tells of Threats Made.
The brothers were accompanied to
District Attorney Whitman's offics
by representatives of the Evening
Star, and the moment they set foot
on New York soil they declared
themselves greatly relieved.
Speaking for the two Morris said:
I'VE have nothing to fear now. The
gunmen not sentenced to die are too
afraid of the law to hurt anyone
now. OF course, we have received
threats on our lives as soon as we
get out, but a barking dog never
bites"
When the Criminal Courts building
was reached the men went imme-
diately to the Office of Mr. Whitman,
but had to wait some time before
they could see him, owing to the fact
that he was conducting case. When
he reached his office the trio were
closeted together discussing per
sonal matter" after which they de-
parted.
Morris declared that while he was
not afraid of harm in New York city.
until his domestic affairs were
Strengthened he would live in a
small town, near New York, but that
it would not be in New Jersey.
Jacob returned to his wife and
two children in Brooklyn. who have
stood by him faithfully during his
trouble.
Says Case Is "Frame-up."
I In speaking of the case Morris
said: 1.-The entire affair was a frame
up against us by the police system
of New York, who knew that we
had valuable evidence against
Becker. Sunday. August 8. while out
walking with my wife and children, ]
was approached by the head of a
private detective agency and offered
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