New-York tribune., 1914-11-29
ON TRAIL OF HIRER
OF BAFF CUNMEN
Police Say They've Clew
and Plot Has Been
Hatching Years.
MAY EXAMINE BOOKS
OF POULTRY TRUST
De Ford, Who Prosecuted That
Body, Sure II Is Not Guilty
Of Staying.

Franklin Einstein, formerly Of The
Bronx and now believed by the police
TO be in Pennsylvonia. was sought yes
torday by the detectives engaged in
the solution Of the Baf murder mys-
terry. Einsteln ~ not sought as prin-
cipal. but rather as valuable wit
ness. who possesses accurate knowledge
as to the inside dealings Of the
kosher" poultry business and trade
rivulries in this city.
Einstein formerly lived at an adj
oress in East 137th st., near Third ay
He was known as an agent for GER
tain group of Kosher" butchers who
had accused Barret Baf. the murdered
dealer. with sand cropping" poultry.
Sand cropping consists Of feeding live
fowl with gravel. which causes an un-
due weight before killing Of twelve 70
eighteen ounces.
The police, who have been working on
the murder of Baf, were satisfied last
night that they are making progress.
plot Of some years standing the
poultry trust heads were convicted
three years ago-and to have "A clew 10
the man who hired the killers.
The actual gunmen, 1T rs alleged,
we're recruited from a Tenth av. gang
which has been active IN the business
feuds Of the market. They had fire.
ouently been retained for minor jobs,
such az assault and battery, but never
before had they been hired 10 take
human life.
Harry Baf, son Of the victim, said
last night at 70 West l20th ST.. his
fathers home, where he is guarded
constantly by friends, that he knew
that he also had been marked for
death.
Inspector Faurot had long confer
ence with NJ VI. Frankcl. secretary OF
the Live Poultry Dealers Association.
Later he said Frankel had offered to
submit for inspection all the books and
minutes Of the association.
A number Of dealers also visited
Headquarters and IL was understood
that a better clew 10 the number Of the
murder car had been obtained
William A. De Ford, Assistant Dis
trict Attorney, issued statement re
gardirg the case yesterday. II fol
lows:
81 do not believe that the combina-
tion against which Baf complained,
the so-called live poultry trust, or
any OF it's members, had anything TO
do with the killing of Baf. although
do not pretend 10 have any informa-
tion attending the commission of that
crime.
"All that BaG could have done
against them had been done. His tes-
timony had become permanent rec
ord Of the court IN which it was given.
His murder could not possibly have
benefited them and might possibly have
stimulated public sentiment. which
would be injurious to them. especially
i'm view Of the fact that the argument
upon tho final appeal now pending be
fore the Court OF Appeals has not
been heard and the appeal not dis
posed Of"
Baff aided in the conviction OF thir-
teen members Of the poultry trust,
which was prosecuted by De Ford.
Two detectives from the Homicide
Bureau in Manhattan, who declined 90
divulge their names or the object OF
their mission. spent much time in New
ark yesterday on "A mysterious erranJ.
They visited Captain Frank W. Tuite,
OF the Detective Bureau, at Police
Headquarters there, and the report
soon afterward was circulated that
they were working on a clew IN the
murder Of Barnett Baf.