davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26
Something of the Methods Of District Attorney Whitman,
Something Of the Energy and Clear-Sghtedness Which
Are Spelling Dnmay for the Ouposts Of
"The System" Are Told Here by One
Familiar with the Subject
Familiar with the Subject.

law was about to be famboyantly defied,
took from the hands of the blunder:nS
police the power to throw the law into
the discard and botch up what has since
become the most famous murder case In
America.
Since that morning many, many people,
speaking retrospectively, say of the won
derfully dramatic scene there enacted:
Wasn't it lucky Whitman got on the
job?"
II was lucky for the good name OF the
law, OF course, but back of all luck lies
the fact that the real cause of that APP
pearance is the tremendous energy and
the astounding ear-sightedness of
Charles S. Whitman. In his Madison ave-
nue. apartment Whitman knew the instant
he heard of the murder Of Rosenthal that
it was no ordinary gamblers quarrel. He
appreciated what did not become appar-
ent to the bulk Of New Yorks population
for a month afterward, that the murder
of the informing gambler had been the
last desperate effort of police system
10 keep information Of its inner workings
from a prosecuting official who was not OF
the same Tammany stripe as itself.
Consider for a moment that this man
was the first Republican in many years
who had ever occupied the powerful Of
fee Of District Attorney Of the County of
New York In other words, this man was
the first who was beyond the reach of all
the political influence which might be
welded from the brick pile in 18th street
which counts the bulk of New York's
policemen as friends.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26
NOT PRoFUsE OF WORDS.

Since that night New Workers and
newspaper readers all over this country,
II not the world, have seen Whitmans
name exploited on the front pages almost
daily. In our own city, and probably
elsewhere. there have not been lacking
those carpers who have decided from
their own narrow point OF view that
Whitman was keeping himself on the
front pages"
From the standpoint of reporter, that
view of Whitman is as far from the truth
as ANYTHING could be. AS a cold matter
OF fact, IL is far easier TO get direct
statement, a quotation, an opinion or an
interview from almost any man with
whom reporters come in contact than 1t
is to get such from Charles 5. Whitman.
From the beginning of the Rosenthal
case, with the charges OF Shiny graft
that have followed in its wake the reader
would find, II he looked back over news
paper files, that Whitman has been
quoted less upon anything connected with
the affair than any one else who has
touched even the outlying fringes of this
famous murder case.
Whitman has had belief that amount
ed almost to an obsession that others
would do all the talking needed. HIS
theory was to work, and then work
harder" and he practised his theory.
He appreciated better than any one else
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26

Appointments must be made, various
! appointments. and with the baron five
minutes to u o'clock noon means II :55
o'clock a. m. and not II 40
on the telephone Baron De Meyer was
asked TO set an hour when he might be
seen with the least inconvenience to him.
self The request was made at 1890 a. m.
II am just i'm the midst of getting up"
said the artist, who is British subject
and calls London his home. and ! shan't
be altogether up for at least an hour, and
then l shall want a cup Of tea or some
| thing Shall we make ii five minutes Of
u? But you won't keep me more than ten
minutes will you? For don't you see /
am very busy-horribly occupied, in fact
and you really must promise that you
will release me when the ten minutes
have expired"
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel was reached a
few minutes earlier than the baron had
named. Hoping TO catch the artist in his
shirt sleeves. so to speak, card was
sent TO his room Immediately.
THE baron desires you 20 wait six min
utes," said the clerk. "and then you can
go TO his room, No. SOi.
The clock on the counter said IL 40.
The baron stood erect in the centre OF
his sitting room. surrounded by photo
graphs that ne had taken of New York
women. He always stands erect 1t is
only when he sits down that he relaxes;
then. and when he sleeps. But whether
sitting or standing he is very much awake.
The baron was informed that what was
wanted was an interview which would be
Illuminating as to his plans and hopes, as
well as reminiscent, concerning the rise
TO his present enviable position among
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26

that, if there We're no objection. he would
most awfully like cup of tea.
Thereupon he touched a button which
brought to the door "A servant in livery.
To this servant the artist made known,
but without looking in his direction, the
fact that he was furnishing for a cup OF
tea.
Yes, sir; some tea, sir; for one or two.
sir?" said the man. looking straight
ahead at photograph OF an oil painting
of j. T. Morgan. but making no sign that
he saw it. if he did.
Asked to tell something of his early
life and efforts. Baron DE Meyer said:
II have been dabbling in photography
for the last eighteen or twenty years.
You see, my father was Russian. but
all my life near Windsor Castle.
Il mean to say. l started being Rus
sian. l was born in Russia, you know.
and then started being a German. and
now I'm a British subject, although you
might say, l suppose, that | am cosmo-
politan and not be far from right.
81 have always II seems to. me, been
interested in photography. but began by
being an artist Primarily am painter,
don't you see. / mean to say that had
the point Of view Of painter and l
studied painting, and all l lacked was
technique. So that In the world OF pho
Biography I am an artist, painter, II you
like
Ever since can remember I have
been trying to do something picturesque.
And then about nine years ago / came to
America and visited friends at Bar Har-
Dor and Newport, and got an insight into
| the American point Of view az regards
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26
T1E TRAU Of THE FOUL PARASITES WHO GRAFT ON CRIME
The Man Who Has Been Called "A Dynamo Of CIR"
Has Shown Wonderful Tenacity in Sticking to the
Important and Difficult Task Which He Has
on Hand and Which He Hopes to
Bring to Successful Outcome.

I the power of the system" which wa.
hampering him at every turn, because he
had felt the same power in his earlier
battles with that same System" bur
even in the hour Of his triumph, when
he heard a jury declare at the solemn
midnight hour that his case against
Becker warranted conviction, his com.
ment was confined to a mere expression
of praise for the work Of his associates
and for the careful consideration which
the jury had faithfully accorded the case.
Some measure Of personal pride might
be INDUCED in by even modest man at
the outcome Of that case, but at the two
dinners which have since been rendered
him Whitman has talked as If the whole
| burden Of the summer Of 1912 was carried
by his assistants.
To those who followed him closely dur.
ing those trying months the fact that
stands out above everything else is that
Whitman carried that burden almost
alone, and carried ii continuously. Vaca.
tons were not for him while that brazen
murder challenged the law he had sworn
to uphold, and in the few week-ends he
allowed himself, some OF them only under
the threats Of his doctor, he thought and
worked on the case almost at the same
pace he kept to in his office. His apart
ment was a mecca on almost every night
through the latter half Of July and all
through August for a procession OF men
bringing him bits Of evidence which piled
I'D into the mountain that he presented
to the jury. and his weekend trips were
used largely for the purpose Of sorting
and sitting out from his tremendous rau
the things which would be useful to him
In clinching the case.
THE JOY OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.
On a train carrying him to one Of these
brief respites from his work the writer
asked him IL he thought the game was
worth the candle. 1t was an unspoken
thought that a lawyer Of his ability in
New York City could earn in private
practice at least double, and more likely
triple. the income that the county pays
the District Attorney.
TITS the greatest city in the world"
ne said half musingly; its a wonderful
city, and to accomplish something toward
making it the clean, livable city it will
be is worth while. I'd be proud TO feel
when / finish my term that I'd done
something along that line, and there's a
satisfaction in that kind of accomplish
ment that you can't put into either words
or dollars"
Whitman expressed the same thought
at the two dinners that have been ten
dered him recently when he said that he
had no patience with those who asserted
only that New York was as good as
! Liverpool or as good as London or any
other city" He wants New York to be
better than any of them, and he believes
that by working to check the police "sys-
tenn" which has long been above all
checks, he is contributing to that re-
suit.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26

thai that Rocker was the man above
everv one who had most to fear from the
gamblers disclosures, few to Becker
as one who was possibly involved tne
moment he heard of the murder. Beck
ers mind, in much the same manner set
tied Immediately upon Whitman as the
one man he would have to hoodwink 10
escape the penalty Of his connection with
the case
Becker started downtown. but not for
the station house. Whitman started
uptown directly for the station house
Rocker heard that Whitman was at the
station house, and Immediately conceived
the most gigantic. brazen blum OF MS
career. He went to the station house MN
self. to all appearances as cool ana
unconcerned as any one in the city.
He tried to impress himself upon WHIT
man, so that the District Attorney couid
mark his cool demeanor, but right there
Whitman triumphed In this game. for nc
utterly refused to allow Becker to see
that he noticed him at all. Becker LETT
the station house Disguised at his failure
for he believed that Whitman had taken
no note of his superb play. Had he been
able to penetrate the real workings OF
Mr.. Whitman's mind at that moment ne
would have been more than disguised; ne
might even have thrown up his hands.
II was the same energy and the same
complete confidence in himself that carried
Whitman through that trying night with
success that had beforetime carried him
through the earlier night in the same
station house, when the stake was not so
big but the underlying principle Of beard
ing the system In its stronghold was
In aytdenpa
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26
ANYHOW, THEY'RE ON VIEW.

His energy and enthusiasm pervade the
Headquarters of the Photo-Secesslonlsts,
at No. 29l Fifth avenue, where any day
one may find on view original WORKS oil
some critics deny tart.
Asked who drew the pictures that were
on exhibition in the Photo-Secession gal
lery a few days ago, Mr.. SuegIltz repheo,
without smiling, that they were the work
of a sign painter-a sign painter OF great
talent, who would be talked of by the
world one day, in fact, marvellous
artist already. if the world but knew 1t.
There was no charge for looking at the
pictures Of this man, and one might re-
main in the room as long as one was
able. After a breath of air. one was wei
come to return. Welcome. but not com
PEELED
Baron De Meyer is an interesting man
to interview. His individuality is very
marked. He has his own ideas about
things. Even in manner is shown his love
for the picturesque. The blue and white
lateral stripes Of his shirt likewise are
picturesque.
When he walks about his sitting room
at the RitZ-Carlton. or when he lounges
Iuxariously in his pink and white chair.
his feet in pumps, the impression created
In the mind of the caller Is distinctly
one Of pleasure, for the picture" is
always there. Even hotel clerk could
zee It,
interviewing the baron is a pleasant
assignment for the week end. lie is so
busy. both as a social favorite and artist,
that beginning on Friday morning one
is fortunate TO be able to finish what
Arnold Bennett calls "the job" of inter-
viewing the photographer at late hour
on the following Monday night
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26

ARON AID. DE MEYER, the well
x known photographer, held In his
II own sitting room at the Ritz
Carlton Hotel a few days ago an exhibit
ton of his latest New York Photographic
nortraits. In his note announcing the ex-
bibition the baron stated that this col
lection Of portraits is entirely composed
of the best looking and best known ladies'
in New York society and include portraits
of Mrs. =. G.. Lydig Mrs. Howard Cush-
ing. Miss Anne Morgan, Mrs. w. X. Van
derbilt, Mrs. II. =. Whitney, etc.
Baron De Meyer, like most rising men,
has enemies as well as friends. They dis
course much about him and his work.
, They do not agree except at long inter
walls. But if an argument between his
admirers. Oh the one side, and his enc
mics defined by his champions as of
Jealous disposition), on the other, has not
reached too bitter stage, suggestion,
preferably by an outsider, that Baron De
Movers prints are "out Of the ordinary
has a chance TO be acknowledged by all
present.
Among his most ardent and untiring
advocates is Alfred Stieglitz, editor and
publisher of Camera Work. photo
graphic quarterly, and the indefatigable
progressive who insists on recognition OF
photography as a new medium OF indi-
vidual expression.
Mr.. Steglitz thinks that much of the
greatly admired painting in the world Is
merely very poor photography. He gave
I'D mechanical engineering TO devote all
his time and thought to this comparative
ly new science with an absorbing earnest
ness and enthusiasm that have aroused
Comment
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26

have likewise been covered and absorbed
by all.
But through all the publicity that has
been given TO these tense moments In
that Tenderloin station house one little
scene has been neglected. That was the
sharp duel OF wits between Becker the
brazen, and Whitman. the willy.
U CONVEYS no disrespect 70 the District
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26

Attorney that on that occasion he was
willy" lie was pitted against the most
brazen leader that the New York police
force has produced In two decades. The
man whom Whitman challenged from the
moment of the murder was one who had
not stopped AT the murder OF gambler
and a partner who was about To inform
upOn him No one knew whether he
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26

would even stop at the murder OF the
man who was so soon 10 drive him into
the death house.
That battle OF wits had begun long be-
fore the two men met in the police sta
ton house. II really began when each
heard OF the accomplishment of the MUIR
der. Whitmans mind, cognizant from
his previous conversations with Rosen-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26
THE LAW.DEFYING SALOON.

Through all the criticism that followed
that raid Whitman simply maintained his
reserve. Publicly he explained nothing
He believed that the lesson was one which
could be driven home only by some sucn
snectacular method as the one he adopted
But privately Whitman explained even
at that time. that it was his belief that
the law-defying saloon bred law-defylns
sentiment among other lawbreakers, ana
the fact that the police grated on law
breakirg saloons without check LED the
rolice TO believe that all lawbreaklng
could be levied upon for protection
Therein lay the real reason for WHIT
mans saloon raids.
II is a strange coincidence that the sta
tion house which furnished the dramatic
setting for Whitman's first big notice 10
notice grafters that he was on their trall
should be the one in which Whitman
years later. drove home TO the gratters
The fact that he was again after them.
His excise raids resulted in arrests ana
In midnight and early morning trials held
by him, sitting as city magistrate III
the West 47th street station house.
In the same station house, in the carry
morning hours Of July l6 of last year
the same Whitman, bouncing unerriney
upon the fact that the whole structure OF
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26

the worlds photographers. Baron De
Meyer studied his time card, and after
some careful estimating set the hour of
s o'clock on the evening of the succeeding
Monday as the beginning OF the only UNI
spoken half an hour that he could dis
cc..or for tho rcvt throe Ueeke
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26

pointment you are to go right up" said
the clerk, who had been called by the
artist to the telephone.
The public exhibition Of his photo
graphs was over, but the pictures still
decorated the walls OF his sitting room.
The baron rH'd 10 wrs very tired. and
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26
-uAR1Es SEYMOUR WHITMAN,


~ is not such by any accident. 10 the
country at large he is known now chiefly
for his magnificent fight against what is
known the country over as the police
system" in the Rosenthal murder case,
in which he convicted Lieutenant Charles
Becker
But 10 New Workers who have followed
the development of this energetic young
man of forty-four. his real beginning In
the fight against the tendency of organ
lied police to prey upon lawbreakers be-
gan years ago, when he was city magis-
trate.
All that is old history now, but 1t gives
an insight into his astonishing activity
of last summer 10 know that this man
appreciated years ago the fact that to
ignore police graft in the small way lent
courage to the grafters TO proceed TO
greater deeds of graft. AS city maSiS-
trate Mr. Whitman was twitted by
friend with the proposition that saloons
were openly violating the excise closing
hour law, and that no one could stop
them because the police were benefunS
thereby.
II is certainly no news TO any one VINO
has lived even a month in New York that
such a proposition is automatic, except
for the last part-the clause declaring
that no one could stop the evil.
Whitman knew the general truth OF
the proposition, but he proved by a RAID
that was called spectacular that saloon
violations could be stopped by stopping
them In at least one police precinct Tor
time. OF course, he did not continue 70
keep saloons closed in the hours specihed
by law. He merely proved that the thing
could be done. and then left it for the
nroner authorities to keep on doing It,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26
BAnon 40. o. MereR;
SROh1 p~OTo .cV
CLARENCE n WAITE

Except that he knew how to stand and
was fond Of perfume. little was learned
about the baron on this visit
on the first stroke of six on the Mon
day evening stated a card was delivered
by messenger to the baron In his room.
"The '-~cn cnve II Won have an ap-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26
THE MIL DEST KIND OF STORM CENTRE THE BARON AD DE NHYEE

81 found the American point Of view
much more interesting. over here you
had got away from all the conventional
ties. And I met some charming people
who helped me very much, Mrs. Gertrude
Kasebier for example, whom | met at
Newport
"She influenced me very great deal
at one time. | owe very much 10 ner'
but now | am standing on my own feet,
as Il were. and not because / have GER
tain social position, although that may
help a little, but because the people who
give me commissions really like my work.
| am making more money perhaps than
some OF the photographers who make
business OF II, and some OF these people
don't like it. and am sorry II they don't
but can't exactly see what I'm TO 90
about II.
But am not in the business in Their
sense. / am In the same business al
painter, don't you see? have no studio
no paraphernalia, nor that sort OF thing
People simply give me commissions 70
take their pictures. and / go TO theil
houses and work out the light. Some OF
my best photographs have been taken 10
upstairs back bedrooms. The process ana
result are reasoned out.
And the result of II all is that II you
were to ask me for sitting for the next
three weeks l could not give you one
Baron De Meyer was asked II KING
Edward VII, whom he photographed se''
eral times, had proved an easy subject.
King Edward was the godfather OF
my wife, you know" he replied, "and
the most popular picture Of the Kino
taken In England was taken by me IN
1901.
I'm those days I had a poor itt'o
studio in Kings Road, Chelsea. ana next
to the studio was little garden i"
which girls did washing.
| ''Of course the King being godta'he.
! to my wife, we knew him very wen anu
all that sort of thing, so that II 'he'.
were any question In the family "'
one wanted advice upon. or any'ni"e
/ like that, we did not hesitate to discuss
the matter with the King-who was a.
ways very fond OF my wife kho"i"s
J her very well, OF course. since she We
/ little-and one day the question OF pm
! tographing the King came up, ana u.'
King said: will you come TO TIE I~'
| ace?'
MADE HIM NERVOUS.
! FINALLY, It was decided that the h'hS
should come to my studio. IL was ue
mendous thing, you know, for the hihs
to go to the studio. and as l was ~.
quite mean to say, as certain OF mySe"
in those days as I am now. why, was
nervous, extraordinarily 50, In facs
was, really.
| "And especially when the day turne1
out to be foggy. It was not merely ioss,
1T was the blacklist fog / ever saw :
didn't know what to do at first. wa'
such tremendous thing for the King "
/ come to the studio. and i didn't kho"
whether 1t would be proper for me 10 w
anything in the matter or not, the kihs
having made the appointment himself anu
yet 1t got darker all the time. until oy tne
hour the King got there It Yves pitcn
black =.
1.-THE extraordinary thing about It q"
was that the biackness lifted while inc
King was there. Curious. wasn't It!
took the longest exposure that ever tooA
! ---
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26

Continued on fourth page
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26

Continued on seventh page.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-29
DANIELS HONOR GUEST
Secretary of Navy Attends
Exercises at New Rochelle
on the Dolphin.

NEW ROCHELLE, y. Y. June oS-
Secretary of the Navy Daniels was the
guest of honor today at the closing ex-
ercises of the weeks fete in celebrate ton
OF the settlement of New Rochelle by the
Huguenots. He arrived on the Dolphin
and was saluted by nineteen guns from
the naval militia ship Wasp and another
nineteen by the New Rochelle Yacht
Club.
The celebration was concluded with a
dinner to the visitors from old Roch-
ellie, France, who had come as special
delegates. and to the committees and
invited guests. There was also fire.
works display and an illumination
The feature of the day was a pageant
in which the landing of the original HUI
guenot settlers of New Rochelle was en-
acted. A group Of Huguenot descendants
attired in the costumes of 1883, disem-
barked from a caravel which sailed into
Echo bay, and We're welcomed by In
dians. represented by some real and some
make-believe "redskins.' Later Gov
Leisler Of the colony Of New York. i'm
personated by citizen. arrived in a
shallop and greeted the refugees.