New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-13
Effort to Get Federal Writ
Practically Given Up
by Lawyers.
WHITMAN ASSISTANT
MAY BE A WITNESS
Is Wanted to Tell OF Harlem
Conference and Facts About
Marshall'S Affidavit.

While Martin T. Manton and w.
Bourke Cochran, counsel for Charles
Becker. had not decided yesterday on
their next move, it is likely they will
seek John Doe inquiry instead OF a
writ in the Federal courts. Charges OF
an alleged conspiracy in obtaining CYL
dence Of the so-called Harlem confer
cnce. held by the Court of Appeals to
be the crux Of the entire case. are eX-
pected to develop among other lines OF
investigation should a John Doe IN
ouiry be started. Such an irquiry
might be held before a magistrate
referee or other designated official.
An Assistant District Attorney may
be summoned as witness before the
inquiry to tell of statements reported
to have been made to him relative to
the method of obtaining the evidence
of the Harlem conference. There was
rumor yesterday that this particular
Assistant District Attorney might re-
sign in order to tell his story without
embarrassment due 20 his connection
with the District Attorneys Office.
District Attorney Perkins admitted
yesterday that the alleged conspiracy
had been a subject of investigation in
the District Attorneys Office. He said
a report had reached him about an ir-
regularity in obtaining the affidavit Of
James Marshall, Becker'S negro stool
pigeon" who corroborated Rose, WALTON
and Weber in regard to the Harlem
conference. After inquiry into the
matter, .owever, he was satisfied there
had been no irregularity. The matter
was said TO have been called to the at
tention Of an Assistant District Attor-
ney before it reached Mr. Perkins.
BeckerS lawyers are understood 10
have practically given up the idea of
seeking a writ of habeas corpus in the
Federal District Court. IL is said they
are convinced the case would have no
standing in the Federal courts. A John
Doe inquiry would throw the doors
wide open for the admission Of all
phases and developments of the case
which might be considered favorable
to Becker.
Becker's Statement Ready.
It is likely that the publicity cam
paign to influence public sentiment, or
to marshal all there may be, in favor
of Becker will be started to-day or to-
morrow. This course will be taken
with the hope that Governor Whitman
may ultimately consent to commute
Becker's sentence 20 life imprisonment
Deputy Warden Johnson Of Sing Sing
who has been Becker's close friend
since his Imprisonment in the death
house, said yesterday the condemned
man had completed long statement,
Incorporating the story Of his life, his
rise and fall in the Police Department
and other details which the deputy said
he was not at liberty to disclose. These
details are supposed TO refer to Beck
er's graft operations.
Mrs. Becker spent three or four
hours with her husband Sunday cor
recting and revising his statement for
him, il was said and getting it ready
for the newspapers. Mrs. Becker is
understood TO have given the statement
TO Mr.. Cochran during a conference
with her husbands lawyers Yesterday.
Mr.. Cochran may 90 to Sing Sing this
morning for a final conference with
his client before giving out the state
ment.
E1-Deputy May Help Becker.
Some Of Becker's friends are said 70
have begun circulating petition pray