The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-08-02
CHAREES KICKER, MURDERED JULY 30, 1915 GOVERNOR WHITMAN


 Inspector Faurot ordered the plate sent to police adquarters. where ft was put in safe. The plate will be held by the police until Gov Whitman decades whether he will bring action for libel Should 2 civil suit or crini- nal proceeding be instituted the plate would be important as evidence.
 Insult Was Unbearab1e.
 District Attorney Martin. in his home at No 2,50 University avenue, hardly block from the Becker apart uaents declined last night to discuss the Becker case in any of it's phases except to authorize the following Statement:
 While have sympathy with Mrs, Charles Becker. as for anyone in trouble, I could not, as district attor- uey. permit the governor of this state to be crininaIIy libelled-"
 From other sources it was learned that Mr. Martin, after a day spent in consideration of every p7ake of the situation had agreed with Inspector Eauro and Deputy Commissioner God- ley that the police had full power to remove the plate forcibly from the conn if force should be necessary
 MT. Martin added, however. that as the Inscription constituted an Ofense against the Governor person ally. there was nothing requiring the County Prosecutor to proceed against Mrs. R[AaT1kS E53EkGEs or any one 1S55 con- nected with the making and placingIof5 the plate So he said he would take no official action unless the Governor made conn p1ai11t The general opin-s ion yesterday was that MT Whitman would ignore the episode entirely.
 Others Might Be Punished
 But should a criminal libel proceed ing be brought against Mrs. Becker. MT Martin and his aids believe that
 
 any way connected with the making or placing of tho plate liable to sim liar prc8esz1tionse sH
 Hardly shRds IaistHict, A ttorney Mar tn read abont the plate in the morn ing papers yesterday when his atten- ton was called officially to it. He was informed that "a criminal libel against the Governor of the states of New York has been committed and ia being committed within your juris- t7sstrion-
 The District Attorney got busy with his law books While he WAS study ing them police officials showed great activity. Tn the afternoon a confer ence was held at Headquarters.
 That the accusing plate had aroused adverse criticism was driving home early to Mrs. Becker and to Lieut.. Packer. his brother. Lieut. Becker and Mrs Beckerss tsHo brothers tele- 
 some still wearing police uniforms: others retired. They were asked if they would act as pa11bearers at the funeral this naorning.
 None showed eagerness to accept Some frankly said that to act as pafI- bearers would put them in an unenyi- able position It was pointed out that the Inscription had done much to kill any sympathy there might have been for the dead man
 Faced Ban By Church. Then the Roman ACatholic church took official notice of the 1nscription. ,Beclzarsa funeral is to be held from the Church of St NichoIas Of Tolen- tina4 The Rev Nicholas J. Murphy pastor. is in Philadelphia and none Of shIs Subordinates would be quoted. but hha eTuElow1ng is an accurate account Mrs. Becker was told gently but 1rmlY that as long as any such in seslpt1on remained upon the coffin fl tDouHd not be brou ght into any Roman catholic church; thai the church would have to refuse to- permit Beck CTS funeral to be conducted on conse. crated gorund, and that there could be mo high requiem mass.
 When this inforula ton was given to her Mrs Becker for a long time re- mained undecided as to her course She was still debating in her mind when Inspector Faurot and Acting Captain Wines arrived and told she1 the police would remove the plate ferc1b1y if necessary, and had the au- 8hordty to do so.
 Inspector Faurot showed all possible consideration for Mrs Becker's feel 4ngs He gently urged that the re nnoya1 of the plate was the best an6 }wisest thing to do It is understood her two brothers and Lieut. Becker Joined in presuading her. At any rate nHrs. Becker gave her consent
 Whether another plate will be p1acec eon the coffin no one knows Early 1T the afternoon, when reporters called Mrs. Becker berated them for darins to visit her at such an untime1y hour Later Lieut. Becker said that she wa: too excited and nervous to talk Wher exporters called again late last nigh They SAW her for only q no1nent anc she begged to be excused from talk tng.
 PalIbearers Not Chosen Yet.
 .-zss1e question Of paGIbearers has no been decided said Lynch, her broth CT We are not sure whether W shall have professional bearers or asl friends Of Charley to act
 Mrs. Becker and her relatives wan 1t understood. however Mr. Lyncl pnetfnue6 that Char1ey's funeral i mot to be private. Any of his friend lwho wish to attend will be welcome She wants them to come can sas that the funeral services will be hel, Fin the Church of st N1rho1as of Tol Hntine, but can't saz@a nykning mor'