New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-20

Tombs on a charge OF carrying a gun,
framed up" by Becker Zelg was a
master gunman. Rose, WALTON and
Weber, with the financial aid of Sam"
Paul, another East Side gambler. bailed
Zelig, on condition that he furnish the
actual assassins. Four OF Zeligs men
who were known to be good at team
work were selected to do the shooting.
They were Frank Muller, alias Whitley
Lewis; Harry Horowitz. alias "Gyp" the
Blood; Louis Rosenberg, alias Lefty
Louis, and Frank Cirofci. alias "Dago''
Frank. Two OF them had killings TO
their credit and the others were willing
enough.
But when II came to the pinch Rose
faltered and tried TO avoid actual muir
der. Becker was insistent, however. and
brought pressure to bear until he had
stiffened the nerves Of his agent
So one night, the first week I'm July, the
gang lay in wait for Rosenthal I'm front
Of the Garden Restaurant But again
Roses nerve failed and nothing hap
pened.
HCtlOn DcCOfnOo lfHpOi
The publication of Rosenthars affidavit
on July a, and his visit TO the District
Attorney the next day made further de-
lay impossible on the fifteenth Becker
prepared an elaborate abili That night
Rose met WALTON and Jack" Sullivan at
the Sam" Paul Association. where they
hired an automobile. They attended a
boxing bout at Madison Square Garden
where they met Becker. Then Rose and
WALTON went to the home Of Dora Gil
bert, Rosenthais first wife, and got from
her an affidavit bitterly hostile 10 Rosen-
thai. for Beckers use in discrediting the
gambler.
On the way back 10 Sharkey's saloon
the red car lost a tire, so on his arrival
Rose telephoned 10 the Cafe Boulevard
for the notorious gray murder car" No.
a. 31s. driven by Willie" Shapiro.
WALTON, schepps and Rose went out and
collected the gang, Weber being sent to
find the victim. At o'clock In the morn
,nRsJuly l6, he was found at the Metro
mole. AS he passed out of the door, an
hour later, four men standing together
on the sidewalk facing the cafe fired In
unison. The gambler fell dead.
Seven policemen were within five hun
drcd feet of the spot, yet the four gun
men ran 10 the gray car, across the
street, and escaped unchecked. only ore
officer. File. who w.# in the Metropole at
the time. dashed s-or them. lie STUN
bIed over the boo. md when he arose
dared not use his revolver for fear Of
hitting bystanders.
The news of the murder was flashed
about the city. District Attorney Whit
man was called out of bed and rushed 10
the West 18th street station. HIS presence
there was responsible for the entry on
the blotter Of the correct number of the
murder car, after seven incorrect NUM-
bers had been supplied. 1t was the gus
picIous nature of this blotter that first
gave color TO the story that members OF
the Police Department were implicated in
the crime.
Meanwhile Rose reported to Becker and
received his congratulations and thanks
for the nights work. Becker went TO the
station house and. in the presence Of
District Attorney Whitman. viewed the
body, tneIl met Ip5t anu '''b'l 'i'N ~
ranged for payment Of the assassins.
Then followed a period Of activity by
Mr. Whitman and of corresponding mac
tlyity on the part of the Mayor and the
police. The graft charges of Rosenthal
were taken up by the grand jury the
morning after the murder Becker mean
while had offered as a complete allbi that
ne had dropped Jack" Sullivan from
his car al i2d street and Sixth avenue a
balf-hour before the murder and motored
home.
July is Becker was relieved from active
duty and assigned To clerical work at
HEADQUARTERS. Mayor GaynOrat the same
time went so far as TO write to Commits
sioner Waldo, scoring Becker for dining
with such a scoundrel' as Rose. Becker
was called to the City Hall and grilled by
the Mayor. Waldo announced the next
day that he would not suspend Becker
until he had legal proof Of his guilt.
Developments Begin.
From this time on things moved rapidly.
on July 10 IL was learned that Becker $
abb crossed the route of the murder car
| shortly before the murder, and that