The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-07-30
ADJUSTMENTS
Orpheum Theatre
Tonight
Big Three Reel Feature
The Sunbeam
Also one reel MARY PickFoRo, the
worlds most popular actress
In addition 20 our regular program
Tonight Saturday and Sunday
The Rubinoffs
Grand Opera Singers
Admission and Toe
Don't miss this big show

complaining volumes OF publicity CIV
en- the cases all over the United States
cleared New York of the gunner ana
the gangsters to large extent. be
fore July, 1912. New York's east side'
with it's labyrinthe Of alley-ltke streets.
blind alleys, and squalid tenements
and buildings had been breeding and
nesting place for gangsters and gun
men, The police seemed unable TO
stop them. Gambling of all KINDS
flourished throughout the east SIDE
and the tenderloin district further up
town. But the Becker conviction ana
the electrocution of four OF the east
sides sons-"put the fear of God IN
their hearts" as one of the lawyers
connected with the case, termed It,
Beckers iron nerve and composure
throughout the ups and downs OF his
three years bitter fight for life was
at once the surprise Of his enemies and
the qualification of his friends.
Twice had he withstood the ordeais
of long trials; many times had he had
his hopes raised to the highest pi 4
acle, only to see them crash about
him. At both of his trials he was
the cynosure of eyes that continually
looked for the slightest trace OF a
breakdown, but he never Quiyered,
and so far as is known his long col-
fnement in the death house, with Its
gloomy surroundings, never shook
him.
Becker's career as policeman was
q tempestuous one. He was leader OF
the "strong arm" squad. which had
charge Of controlling vice In tho tend
erlotn district, and especially CANT
ling. He was In numerous scrapes OF
different kinds; charges OF persecn-
ton were filed against him many
times, and there were equally as many
charges of showing discrimination.
The split between Becker and RIOS
enthal, according to the evidence. was
the indirect result of some OF these
charges. Rosenthal. according to his
story, had formed coalition with the
police lieutenant to protect the gamb-
ler's house. AS Becker was in charge
of that district and sort OF special
agent on gambling this was easy Tor
him to do. But other gamblers learn
ed of it, and when they were raided,
and their paraphernalfa smashed u
|confiscated, they complained to Beck.
er's superfors.
Forced to act on account OF the
pTGS6uTS DEVu6aI " bo0A W SAAOSS
above him, Becker notified Rosenthai,
according to the evidence, that he
was going to raid the place one nignt
early in July. 1912. Rosenthal, In.
censed at this, and fearing that
Becker was double crossing" him,
paid no attention to 1t. The place
was raided, the furnishings destroyed
and policeman stationed at the house
night and day to see that no gambling
went on. This was the match that
touched off Rosenthaps hatred of pr
licemen in general, and In the parlance
Tof the underworld he "squealed.'
Through all his troubles, Becker
wife remained steadfastly true to him
visiting him In the death house AZ
often as she was allowed, sitting be
side him throughout his trials and Sc
curing his lawyers.
Becker leaves two brothers-Johr
Becker, a police official, and Jackson
Becker. He was forty-four years old
His parents came to New York from
Germany. and Becker passed all Of
his life here.