Evening star., 1914-05-18
Charles B. Pitt, Press Agent
and Adviser, Accuses His
Former Friend.
IN FEAR THAT GUNMEN
WOULD "SQUEAL," HE SAYS
Murder of Jack Rose in Revenge a
Favor Asked on Way to
Death Cell.

NEW YORK, May 1S.-Charles B.
Pitt one time press agent and adviser
for Charles Becker, on trial for the
murder of the gambler, Herman Rosen-
thai took the witness stand for the
state today and corroborated in many
details the stories of Jack Rose and
others that Becker was instigator of
the murder plot. As he testified he
avoided looking at the defendant.
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 buncho" Pitt quoted Becker
as having said
Il o pull the stunt the way they did
was very bad. You would suppose it
lures"
Met Becker Almost Daily.
Pitt said he met Becker almost every
day after Becker became head Of the So
called strong-arm squad. Martin T.
Manton. chief counsel for the defense,
Whitnlan's questions to the witness, but
was invariably overruled.
July 15 the day before the murder,
Pitt said he saw Becker at police head
quarters. Becker told me- said the
witness. that he and I had to have an
alibi for that night Keep away from
Times Square tonight he told me-
Whats coming OFF, I asked.
Never mind. said Becker. DO as
you are told. We've got to have an
alibi. Tomorrow you'll know why"
Avoids Becker's Gaze.
| Pitt showed signs of nervousness dur
ing his testimony, lowering his eyes
under Beckers gaze. He evaded Becker's
glance. studiously fixing his gaze on the
floor in front of the witness chair.
The witness said he called on Deputy
Police Commissioner Dougherty and did
| the best he could to establish an alibi for
Becker He saw Becker later. and Beck
er sent him to see Rose, then under ar
rest. He sent in a note to Rose with ref
erence to tn employ ment 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
ness Swore, to Roses house on Long
Island.
The next day. Sunday, Pitt asserted,
Becker said: II wonder if that bunch
will squeal on me?
said Pitt, and advise him that he
was doing everything he could for him,
and for him to say nothing"
Knew They Would "squeal."
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.
want you to go out and get every
thing you can on Jack Rose. Get hold
of the men in my squad and have them
testify I had no conversation with Mrs.
Rosenthal 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 ar
rest until Becker went to the death house
at Sing Sing.
friend of the gunmen had told him to
tell Becker 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 have not get it now,
but as soon as l can get my hands on
5000 the gunner will get it,
Pitt said he wrote Becker almost con-
Stantly 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 up
to the prison.
Wanted Jack Rose Killed.
Il 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 pal,' he said, if do 90 off In
the chair. 1 want you to do me one
favor. Kill that squealing 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 that he
| had been locked up once since Becker 8
| first trial. He was questioned closely
about the killing of negro who was
| shot during one of Becker's gambling
| raids. Pitt admitted that he had been
| sued for the mans death.
| typewriter statement by Pitt,
| which was turned over to one of Becker s
| former lawyers. was read to the jury.
| In this statement Pitt said Becker had
| been framed up about the gambling
situation and that RosenthaI had told
| him he was going to do 1t. Here recess
| was taken until 2:30 o'clock