Evening journal., 1914-05-12
BECKER ON TRIAL..
loses ONE POINT
Testimony That He Had
Fixed Cops Before RoSen-
thai Staying, Goes In
ROSE AND SHAPIRO
TELL THEIR STORIES
BY FRED ]. WILSON.
United Press staff Correspondent


NEW YORK, May 12-"Bald Jack"
Rose. star witness for the State, IN
its efforts to send Charles Becker,
former police lieutenant to the cleo
trio chair for plotting the murder of
Gambler Herman Rosenthal, took the
stand today shortly before noon.
Bald as an egg, Rose presented
peculiar picture. Heavy rings cir
cled his dark eyes as he leaned for
ward in the witness chair answer
ing in a low voice the questions pre-
liminary to the whole disclosure of
what he alleges was Becker's murder
plot
Becker leaned forward in his chair
when Rose took the stand and showed
as the lines deepened in his face that
lie realized the climax of his case
was near
Led by District Attorney Whitman,
Rose began the original story of the
negotiations with Becker, and OK
blamed why he said, the then Gear
OF the Tenderloin" wanted Rosenthal
killed because of his squeals to Whit
man, lessened Becker's safety.
Immediately before Rose took the
stand. William Shapiro, driver of the
gray murder car" from which the
four gunmen lcaped TO kill Rosen-
thai, told his story Briefly, he went
over the facts Of the tragedy. His
most important testimony. however,
related to a conversation between the
four gunner in his car as they rear
ed the scene Of the murder.
Shapiro testified.
81 heard one of the boys say. ]
think Whitley Lewis. these words
Have the chauffeur turn his car
around and wait The cops are all
fixed. Becker fixed EN- Everything
is all right
Martin T. Manton, Becker's CHIEF
counsel, fought hard against the in
PRODUCTION of Becker's name. His ef-
forts were of no avail Justice Sea-
bury allowed the witnesses statement
20 90 on record and Becker had lost
his first point.
As shapiro said the words "Rccker
fixed EN-" the ex-leader of the strong
arm squad leaned forward and his
face twitched Mrs Beckers face
flushed a deep red and she jarkily
strai ehtened herself I'm her chair as
Shapiro. speaking in a clear voice.
repeated ,ge words. he swOre one Of
the eunmen SAID as they drove to
the killing
Shapiro said he waited about 15
minutes with his car pointed east on
FOrty-third street Suddenly ne
said lie heard iour shots. and thon
the gunmen ran TO the car and he
put on high speed. He said he took
lhem TO the Cafe Boulevarde where
theY got out
Rose, garbed I'm gray. with a turn
over collar and black tic. was q cur
ious figure lie detailed alleged "lus-
incss deals of Becker. with Rosen-
thai, with possible partnership be-
tween the police lieutenant and the
gambler. Rose constantly rolled his
bald head from side to side His
prominent ears stuck ont oddly and
hi, thick lips moved rapidly MS his
deep, dark eyes shifted from the face
OF Whitman TO the Jurors faces. Neser
once In the early part OF his exam
.natiou did DE look at Becker. who.
chin sunk in his left hand sazod
steadily at the witness. Only a swal-
low now and then betrayed the agi-
tatiou Of the former police czar.
himn gave Rose a free hand. Only
au occasional question turned Roses
steady flow oi language into this or
thai detail of the murder conspiracy.
The intricate dealings OF Rose and
Becker in their police graft. which Rose
collected. were gone into at great length,
Rose said Rosonthal's refusal OF sj0o
60 Becker as part oi the profits of their
gambling house prcc,pitated the final
break which ended n murder.
Pressed by accusations Of completely
with gamblegs Rose said Becker asked
him TO see Roscnthal and ask thC
gambler to submit TO friendly raid
50 Becker could clear his skirts Rose
said BE frat dcmurrcd. but when Becker
insisted, went TO Rosenthal.
The gambler. Rose said, laughed at
the suggestion. said his rooms We're just
getting prosperous and added;
How would it look to have my part
ncr raid my place? I won't stand for
IL. Not q chance"
Constantly. throughout Roses story
Attorney Manton attempted to have
ruled cut any testimony that tended
to incriminate Becker as having beer
in league with gamblers. He was or
his feet at any hint or suggestion thai
Rose was TO tell of any "inside" worl
Of Becker's while the latter led the
fights on gamblers. Each time, how