The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1914-05-21
HIS PRESS AGENT
TURNS ON BECKER

new YORK, May l9.-CnarleS +. Plltt,
one time press agent and adviser for
Charles Becker. on trial for the murder
OF the gambler Herman Rosenthal, took
the witness stand for the state today
and cUrroborated in many details the
stories of Jack Rose and others that
Becker was the instigator Of the muir
der plot.
After Rosenthal had been murdered,
the witness swore. he met Becker, who
was indignant at the way the killing
had been accomplished.
What is the matter with Jack Rose
and the bunch" Plits quoted Becker as
saying, to pull the stunt the way they
did was Very bad. You would suppose
it Was being done for the moving pic
lures
On July Is. the day before the muir
der, Pitt said he saw Becker at police
headquarters. Becker told me- said
the witness, that he and | had to have
abb for that night. Keep away from
Times square tonight,' he told me.
are told. We've got to have an aiibi.
Tomorrow you'll know why"
Pitt showed signs of
during his testimony.
The witness said he called on Deputy
Police Commissioner Dougherty an6
did the best he could to establish an
alb Tor Becker. He saw Becker later
and Becker SEM him to see Rose, then
under arrest. He sent in a note to Rose
with reference TO the employment OF
counsel.
Returning to Becker, said the wit
ness, he reported that Rose had agreed
to allow Becker to select his lawyer.
Becker then dispatched Pitt, the wit
Tess wore to Roses house on Long
Island.
The lex Gay, Sunday. Pitt asserted,
Becker said:
81 wonder if that bunch will squeai
on me""
"Then Becker told me to see Rose"
said Pitt, and advise him he was do
ing all he could for him and to say
nothing"
The next time Pitt saw Becker was
In the Tombs prison, after his arrest.
Becker said according to Pitt. Didn't
I tell you they would squeal? I want
you to 60 out and get everything you
can Oh Jack Rose. Get hold of the men
in my squad and have them testify I
had no conversation with Mrs. Rosen-
thai on the night of the raid"
Pitt said he saw Becker many times
in the Tombs after that. He visited
him every day for three weeks after
his arrest until Becker went to the
death house ct Sing Sing. Once he
told Becker, he said, that a friend of
or the gunner wanted $500 and that if
they did not get it quick. there'd be
trouble.
We'll" Becker said. according to the
witness. TELL them I have not got it
now. but as soon as 1 a get my hands
on $500. the gunner Will get it."
Wanted Rose Killed.
Pitt said he wrote Becker almost
constantly after his conviction and that
Becker wrote him from the death
house. After Becker's conviction and
sentencing, he said. he %journeyed with
the party to the prison.
II gave Becker a drink on the train"
said the witness, and said it would
probably be the last for some time.
Becker put his arms around me and
started to cry. Old pail he said, if I
do GO off in the chair, I want you to
DO me one favor. Kill that s%quealing
Jack Rose"
Here the witness was turned over to
the defense for cross examination. Mr..
Manton asked Pitt if he had ever
been in jail. The witness admitted he
had been locked up once since Becker's
first trial. He was questioned closely
about the killing of a negro who was
shot during one of Becker's gambling
raids. Pitt admitted he had been sus-
p1cious of the mans death.
A typewriter statement by Pitt.
which was turned over to one of Beck
er's former lawyers, was read to the
jury. In this statement Pitt said
Becker had been framed up" about
| tHe saLlDilllS SITUATION n ROSenthal
mad told him he was going to do it.
Here recess was taken until 2:3O
| o'clock.
Interest in the second trial of Charles
II. Becker for the murder of Herman
Rosenthal today entered with the prob
ability of several new witnesses being
called by District Attorney Whitman to
e~ororoborate the testimony of Jack
Rose. Harry WALTON and "Bridsie"
Weber that Becker had conspired
with them to have Rosenthal killed.
1t was also expected that two former
members OF the strong arm" squad,
charles M. Steinert and James C.
White, would be witnesses today.
Whether Becker takes the stand in
HIS own behalf, it was said, would de-
pend entirely on developments.