Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-05
BECKER WILL TELL STORY,
BUT NOT MENTION NAMES
About Graft, So Far as Per-
sonally Concerned.
DECLINES TO INVOLVE OTHERS
Has Revelations Already in Form OF
Notes, In Course of Preparation
Since First Trial-Bourke Cochran
in Absolute Control OF Case.
Especial to The Times Dispatch. ]

Especial to The Times Dispatch1
NEW YORK, July 4.-"I will tell all
/ know about the graft in New York
SO far as l am personally concerncd:
l Will tell what sums l collected and
who I collected them from and what
! did with the money, but / will not
mention tho names of any other person
concerned"
Ihis statement il was learned to-
day, was made by Charles Becker to
w. Bourke Cochran, his counsel. in
the death house at Sing Sing Prison.
when Mr.. Cochran visited Becker In an
endeavor to ascertain how far the
former lieutenant Of police was willing
TO go II Governor whitman would APP
point n commission to make i'm
partial inquiry into his case.
The statement was made on the oc-
casion OF Martin 7. Mantons first visit
10 Governor Whitman. II was arranged
that Cochran should sec Becker and
communicate with Manton. who was
waiting in New. York. Through some
mlshap Manton failed To reach Cock
ran by telephone, but. learning that
AIanton had left for Albany. Cochran
got in touch with him and let him
know what Becker was willing TO do
Manton told the Governor that Becker
was willing 10 answer any questions
that a commission might put TO him,
and Whitman inquired IL he was will
ing TO name any persons connected with
the police department who were bone-
fciarics Of the great collections
is - connected with it," the Gov
crnor asked. and, receiving an answer in
the Affirmative, mentioned several other
names OF persons in public life at one
time II is understood that Manton
without instructions from Becker and
on his own responsibility from what
he knew. named the mon who were as
soc!ates Of Becker
II is also understood Becker in
formed Cochran that his share of the
graft never exceeded $4,000. and that
much larger sum had been mentioned
by the district attorneys Office because
Of the fact that ne transferred the
amount from one bank TO another
So far as any statement from Becker
is concerned. II is known that he was
inclined TO make ono immediately after
the Court of Appeals refused to grant
him n third trial but that w Bourke
Cochran prevented him from doing so.
Cochran also. II is said. is responsible
for stopping Mrs. Becker from making
any statements OF Importance. In toto,
Cochran has had n firm hand on the
case for At least one month. and is said
Ia be preparing other moves OF sem
sat!onal nature beside the appeal to
tho Federal courts In an effort TO save
the condemned man.
II was stated to-day that Becker has
his story already in the form OF notes
that he has been preparing since the
first trial II is tho story that he would
have been willing 10 go on the stand at
any time and tell. but Was prevented
by his lawyers. II Is q story that he
would have insisted upon telling had
third ,rta! been granted TO him. but.
IL is asserted that under no circum-
stances would ne have mentioned or
Will he mention. the names OF any one
connected with him in the graft coll
lcctioas
Mrs. Rocker spent two hours with
her husband to-day When she left
the prison she seemed very much de-
pressed, and in response 10 n request
for statement said:
II shall have nothing further 10 say.
Any information in the future mus,
come from Mr.. Cochran"