New-York tribune., 1912-07-16

police are inclined to believe that the
assailants will soon be behind the bars.
The police learned that the man who
did the shooting was undersized and
swarthy. apparently an Italian. The
men in the car had their faces we'll pro-
btected their hats being pulled down
over their forchesds.
District Attorney Whitman and PO-
in town yesterday, began an investiga-
ton of the graft gambling charges that
cropped up during their absence last
week.
Both officials made it plain that they
had no intention of beginning any
criminal or other official proceedings
against Lieutenant Charles Becker. OF
the strong arm" squad. or any other
policeman on the uncorroborated testi-
mony OF a gambler.
Commissioner Waldo has taken the
position that the charges are OF such
nature that It is for the District At
torney to act. II he sees fit. and Mr..
Whitman admits that there is enough
in Herman Rosenthars affidaVits TO
warrant a personal investigation on his
part to determine if there is sufficient
evidence to warrant grand jury
probe.
Commissioner Waldo courts a full
int
partment, being of the opinion that If
there is any grating going on among
the police the community would benefit
by its exposure. But MIR. Waldo is not
willing TO accept Eosenthals charges
as Gospel truth solely upon their
merits.
In this vein lac wrote letter to Dis
trict ATTORNEY Whitman. asking for an
investigation of Rosenthals charges,
and he ended by saying that there
could be no gambling in this city II the
Judges and the several district attor-
news Offices co~orerated with the Police
Department"
Doesn't Mean Whitman Himself.
The letter made IL plain that Mr..
Whitman himself was not OH Mr..
Waldo's blacklist, but when reporters
asked Commissioner Waldo for an eX-
PLANTATION Of the reference to judges
and district attorneys offices he re-
fused to GO into details, contenting
himself by referring his visitors 20 his
letter.
Commissioner Waldos letter to the
District Attorney read:
Sir: have the honor to request that
YOU cause to be made a thorough invesh-
cation Of the charges made by a gambler.
in the public press. that there has been
collusion between certain members of the
Police Department and gamblers.
Under the present methods Of the de-
partment. IN order that a gambler might
procure protection. il would require the
connivinG OF the inspector OF the district
and at least three lieutenants in charge
of special squads, all acting independently
of each other.
1t might he said without fear of contra
diction, by fair-nindcd persons. who have
knowledge Of the situation, that the city
has never been moro free from gambling
than during the past year. With refer
enCc to the public charges made by
self-confessed gambler. that a police lIeu-
tenant was in partnership with him. II ap-
pears that the lieutenant did his duty In
this particular instance, in spite Of any
alleged entanGlcments, and that the
gambling. the Police Department Will ar
many months i'm consequence.
If your office has any knowledge OF
gambling. the police department will af-
ford YOU every assistance In enforcing
the laws. There could he no gambling
in the city II the judges and the several
District Attorneys officers co-Operated
bn ug
YOU have personally
Very respectfully.
RHINELANDER WALDO.
Police Commissioner.
Almost as soon SIS this letter reached
Mr.. Whitman Rosenthal called on the
District Attorney and was closeted
with him for little more than
quarter Of an hour.
Rosenthal Names Witnesses.
Rosenthal said h3 had given the
names Of two men II the District At
torncy who would be able. he said.
10 corrobOrute the charge he made con-
corning Beckcr's alleged partnership
with him, These two men are said to
he Robert II. Hibbard. a lawyer and
former policeman. and j. Donahue.
II was in Hibbard's office, in the st.
Paul Building, according to Rosenthal.
that he signed n mortgage on the
furnishing Of his gambling house at
No. 1O4 West 45th street in return
for a loan of 81 500 which he said
Lieutenant Becker made him, and for
which Becker insisted that he be made
partner in Rosenthars gambling house.
with a 90 per cent interest. Donahue,
according to Roscnthal, is the dummy
used by Becker to cover him in the
transaction.
District Attorney Whitman issued
two subppnas last night. presumably
for Hibbard and Donahuc, calling for
their appearance before him to-mor-
row.
Lieutenant Becker, after Il conference
with Commissioner Waldo. received
permission TO issue a statement In
answer to Rosenthals charges.
"RosenthaTs charges are all mere IN
vertjons." said Lieutenant Becker 10
newspaper men at the office of ms
counsel. John w. Hart, former AS
sislant District Attorney, last night. !
never had any business or social rela-
tions with Rosenthal / met him ut the
eya and