Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-08-01
SAYS MILLIONS
WERELEV|EO
AS B[ACkMA|L
Bald Jack" Rose Tells Dis,
trict Attorney That Beck,
er Raised $2,4OO,0W Last
Year in Graft Funds.
THREE OTHER
OFFICIALS ACCUSED.

Becker, Police Lieutenant
Under Arrest as 1nstiga-
tor Of Rosenthal Murder,
Got One-fourth Of Loot.
New York, July 31.--If it can be
proved that Police Lieutenant Becker
instigated the murder OF Herman
Rosenthal. the crime cannot be con-
doned for any exposure Of graft that
he might be able to produce, said Dis
trict Attorney Whitman today Whit
mans statement was by way Of
answer to talk OF immunity or lighter
treatment for Becker in event OF his
disclosing the operation OF system 2
However" Mr.. Whitman added, 1t
mus. be presumed that he Is innocent
until he Is proved guilty
The district attorney will hold an
other conference with Rose this after
noon. Rose has assured him that he
can implicate the much talked OF
"men higher up"
Roses estimate Of the annual graft
OF 32,40O.000 is regarded as conserva-
tive, rather than excessive, by the dis
trict attorney.
The authorities are Investigating
report that James Verrella, saloon
keeper, who was shot by gangsters
early today, was killed In revenge for
his betrayal Of "Dago Frank Cirofici,
Inv - T. 4 - 80
I, Rosenthal.
J Every trail will be followed. no
matter where 1t ends, by District At
Itorney whitman to learn to whom II
liB asserted $2,400,000 graft money was
finally distributed.
Bald Jack" Rose whose confession
lput Police Lieutenant Becker behind
the bars for the alleged murder Of the
gambler Herman Rosenthal has told
the public prosecutor that this huge
sum Of money was obtained by police
black mail from gamblers and disord-
Ierly houses and that Lieut. Becker told
him the money went to four police Of
ficials.
j The public prosecutor has arranged
to keep the grand jury in session all
summer to Investigate the relations
between the gamblers and the police
which Is, In the opinion Of the district
attorney, a matter OF more public inn
portance than the Rosenthal case.
| District Attorney Whitman proposes
to break up the relations said to exist
between the gamblers and the police
and he has indicated that he will do 80
II he has to protect every man involved
in the murder OF Rosenthal except
those who fred the shots
Whether Lieut. Becker will care to
avail himself of an opportunity to
!, make his own position easier by tell
: ing the prosecutor the recipients OF the
graft money which Bald Jack" Rose
| says he turned over to Becker is doubt
: full. II Becker is disposed to tell his
i story it must be complete In every de-
: tail, the district attorney Is reported
to have said.
81 More than fifty witnesses will he
subpoenaed to appear before the grand
! Jury to tell what they know Of alleged
police blackmail.
u How Gamblers Were Assessed.
The information obtained from Rose
who says he was Becker's collector,
from gambling houses, will be suscepti.
, BILE of proof, said the district attcr.
ney All records of gambling arrests
will be closely scrutinized to obtain
: evidence In the case and District At.
torney Whitman is in possession Of q
list Of names of big and little gamblers
given him by Rose who In his accusa-
: tions against Becker, said that when
the police lieutenant took charge OF
3 the strong arm squad he asked for the
names of gamblers who could be made
to give up for police protection.
Rose says that Becker took the list
. land determined how much money
each gambler was to be assessed for
the privilege Of doing business un
molested. Some gamblers Rose said,
paid as high as $500 month while the
little fellows got OFF with anywhere
from $50 to 500 month.
Becker Claims Frame-Up.
Meanwhile Police Lieut.. Becker, .
I fIprisoner in the Tombs. is saying moth.
ling and there is no confirmation OF
1.-THE report that his defense will be that
9 1.-THE gamblers, Rose. Vallon and Web
tIber finding the case going against
e Them, got together and framed the
lstory that would involve Becker.
"Big Jack" Zelig to whom Rose
'.Isays he sent word to get the men to
I Islay Rosenthal, will appear when
WANTED. His counsel has told the pub
q lHc prosecutor that Zelig would tell
! Ieverything he knew OF the case. Zelig
: lis now out on $4,000 ball for carrying
T lconcealed weapons.
The alleged assassins OF Rosenthal
T. Harry Horowitz or "Gib the blood, :
yl"Lefty Louie" and "Whitie" Louis are
y