New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-08
Priest and Warden to Testify.

Priest and Warden to Testify.
The possibility OF sensational testi-
mony, surprising some Of the high
points at the last Becker trial, is prom
ised in the expected appearance Of
Father Cashin and Warden Clancy of
Sing Sing as witnesses for the de-
fence. They were subppnaed yester-
day by the Becker process servers.
1t is supposed they have been sum-
moned in connection with the eleventh
hour confession Of "Dago Frank and
particularly that part OF II which
credited the condemned gunman with
saving that Becker had nothing TO
do with the murder Of RosenthaL'
Cirofci made his last statement In
the presence Of Warden Clancy, Father
Cashin and his mother and sister half
an hour before he went TO the electric
chair.
Father Cashin took a keen interest
in the young Italian while he vas i'm
the death house. He Joined the con-
demned mans mother and sister i'm ex-
erting all the influence they could 10
have Frank tell the truth before he
met his death.
The question of the admissibility Of
the Cirofci confession as evidence is
serious one. As il was not written
or signed by the prisoner, it would have
10 be proved by those who heard il.
In that event it may not be admitted
unless the court should construe II as
a dying declaration. II is known that
the District Attorney is prepared to
contest the poirt vigorously.
Sensations began 70 crack outside OF
the courtroom in the Becker case yes
terday What effect Commissioner Da-
vis's charge OF conspiracy against
Becker may have on the case is purely
speculative. While II has no direct
bearing on the issue. II may delay the
finding Of six more unpreJudiced Jurors
In the course OF Miss Davis's early
morning investigation at the Tombs
irto the circumstances surrounding the
obtaining OF nearly all the signatures
OF the prisoners 10 a scurrious petition
complaining Of conditions. Philip Mu-
sica. a prisoner, accused Becker Of di-
recting the movement in the hope OF
ultimately mourning the favor OF Tam
many" and Governor Glynn.
An additional panel OF 100 talesmen
was drawn yesterday, and there will
be 200 men In court to-day from which
To select the remaining six jurors. Both
sides were confident that the jury box
would be filed at to-day's session.
Conspiracy Revealed.
The conspiracy Of Tombs prisoners,
which is said TO have had Charles
Becker and Philip Musica as its brains.
and which was designed 10 discredi;
the present administration. was re-
vealed yesterday by the Commissioner
OF Correction. Katharine b. Davis.
After an investigation which lasted
from . o'clock Wednesday afternoon
until . o'clock yesterday morning Miss
DAVIS announced that a petition
couched in scurrilous terms and COM
plaining OF conditions in the Tombs
had been received by her. and that
practically all OF the 3l9 signatures
OF prisoners were secured fraudulently.
Miss Davis received the petition On
Wednesday, and at the same time
Warden Hanley OF the Tombs re,
ceived a letter which warned him 70
prepare for trouble. Both the petit
ton and the letter were filled with
condemnation for the new system OF
feeding the prisoners in the Tombs,
which prevents them from having food
sent in from outside. The letter to
Warden Hanley was typewriter and
was signed "Tombs Prisoners"
Musiea Confesses Plot.
During the investigation which 'oi-
lowed Miss Davis. Deputy Commis-
sioner Lewis and Warden Hsnley ex-
amined practically all OF the prisoners
whose names were attached TO the