South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-05-12
States "Star" Witness in Muir
der Trial of ex-PoliCe Lieu
tenant Details Underworld
Intrigue Leading to Murder.
SAYS FAKE RAID WAS
CAUSE OF FIRST ROW
BeCker'S Partners Anger Over
pulling" of Gambling Den
for Appearances Led to
Deadly Enmity.

NEW YORK, May 12.-"Bald Jack"
Rose. a typical figure Of the under
world. took the stand in the murder
trial Of ex-POlice Lieutenant Charles
Becker today, and told stort upon
which District Attorney Charles s.
Whitman relies 10 send Becker TO the
Death chair for the murder Of Herman
ROsenthal.
Well dressed. furtive-eyed and
sharp -witted, Rose sat in the witness
chair with the impassive face of "A
gambler, calmly answering questions
while not being prevented by the storm
of objections raised by Becker's law
yers.
Rose has a dead. yellow complexion
and his head is utterly devoid of hair
hut the most remarkable feature Of his
appearance is the eyes, which shift
furtively or gleam with rat-like Gu
pidity.
After giving his occupation as lee
turer" and answering a few prelim-
mary questions as TO age, name and
residence. Rose told how he first met
Becker in a gambling house that had
been raided in this city in October,
1911.
we went to a nearby saloon where
] gave Becker $2OO to dispose Of two
indictments he had against me-" said
the witness in an emOtionless voice.
Tells of Alliance.
Rose then went on with his story
as TO how Becker and he had formed
an agreement Rose was to act as
collector for Becker and TO watch
Bccker's interests in a gambling house
operated by Herman ROsenthal. but
in which Becker. then a lieutenant of
police, was a silent partner. Becker
put $500 into the business secured
by a chattel mortgage and he was to
get % percent Of the profits.
Il used to see Becker nearly every
day after he went in with ROsenthal."
said Rose. Becker used TO ask me
how business was. but 7 could not give
him very much announcement for it
was slow. But l told him it probably
would pick up as the house was new
and not very we'll known"
Rose then told Of the friendship that
existed between ROsenthal and Becker
at that time. detailing one incident
which occurred in the ElkS' club when
Rosenthal. in the presence of Mrs.
Rosenthal. threw his arm aifectiOnate
~ over the police lieutenant's shOul-
der. saying, You needn't worry any
more. Charley is my friend and ev-
erything is all right now"
Becker Gets "COid Feet.
few months after the Becker
Rosenthal partnership was formed
Becker wanted 20 withdraw and de-
manded his $1,000, but ROsenthal said
he couldn't pay il. This started a
breach Of feelings and Becker became
insistent.
The big crowd in the court room
listened breathleSsly TO Roses recital.
Becker. with one hand cupped behind
his ear. kept his eyes on Roses face
but occasionally he leaned over and
whispered a suggestion 10 his lawyers.
In some way said Rose. they
learned at police headquarters that
Becker was mixed up with gambling
house. Becker then went 10 ROsen-
thai ana suggested that his strong
arm squad pull off raid TO quiet
these reports Rosenthal said: That
guy must think I'm crazy "
Then Rose tried TO persuade Rosen-
thai 70 stand for the raid saving he
could take out his costly gambling
paraphernalia and put in other stuff.
but Rosenthal was obdurate When
Becker was told this he flew into
rage and swore he would raid the place
no matter II he did lose his $500.
Then Rose told of angry messages he
carried back and forth between Becker
and Rosenthal The raid was made
and Becker took care that il was a
spectacular one with plenty of furni-
ture smashing by his "strong-arm'
squad.
Rosenthars raga knew no bounds
for he felt that Becker was not treat
ing him on the lever.
Details Murder Plot.
Rose hen calmly went into the plot
which ended in the assassination Of
Rosenthal almost under the Slaring
lights OF Broadway. RoSenthal. in
order 20 get revenge, started 10 expose
the alliance which existed between
Becker and the city outlaws OF the
under world Urged by anger and
fear. Becker demanded. according 10
the debonair witness. that ROsenthal
must be "crOaked".
Rose was the third witness OF the
day. the first being a doctor who had
been called 20 the scene of the as
sassination after Rosenthal was shot.
and tie second William Shapiro. who
drove the four murderous gunner 10
the scene OF the killing
shapiro had hurt Becker's case by
saying that the gunner told him that
Becker had everything fixed up" and
that there was no danger from the !
cops
District Attorney Whitman's chief !
object in calling shapiro was To learn I
n the name OF Becker had been men /
TONED on the way 10 the scene OF the .
crime 20 reassure the sunmen and 10 4
keep their nerve up.
scans Jury Closely.
when Becker was again brought in /
20 Justice Seabury's court ne looked 4
searcAlngly at the jurors after having 4
carefully and slowly placed his eve 4
glasses upon his nose Becker looked /
as calm and imperturhable as ever lie /
was freshly shaven. his linen spotless /
and his hair was carefully brushed.