The Detroit times., 1915-07-30

@D ID 60
communication from the governor,
But the governor OF 1915 and the
lighting young district attorney OF
1912 were the same man, Whitman
having stepped into the governors
chair.
Becker's conviction and the &C
complaining volumes Of publicity
given the cases all over the United
States cleared New York Of the gun
men and the gangsters 10 a large
extent Before July. 1912. New
York's east side. with its labyrinth
of alley-like streets, blind alleys.
and squalid tenements and buildings
had been a breeding and nesting
place for gangsters and gunner.
The police seemed unable to stop
them. Gambling OF all kinds -four
ished throughout the east side and
the tenderloin district, further up
town But the. Becker conviction
and 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 II.
Beckers iron nerve and COM
posure throughout the ups and
downs OF his three years bitter fight
for life was al once the surprise OF
his enemies and the qualification OF
his friends.
Twice had he withstood the or
deals OF long trials; many times
had he had his hopes raised to the
highest pinacle, 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. bu;
he never quivered. and so far as is
known his long confinement in the
death house. with its gloomy sur.
roundings, never shook him.
Becker's career as policeman
was a tempestuous one. He was
leader OF the strong arm" squad
which had charge OF controlling vice
in the tenderloin district, and espe.
cially gambling. He was In mum.
erous scrapes OF different kinds
charges OF persecution were filed
against him. many times. and there
were equally as many charges OF
showing discrimination.
The split between Becker and
RosenthaI. according to the evi
dence. was the indirect result Of
some Of these charges. Rosenthal
according to his story. had formed
a coalition with the police lieuten
ant to protect the gamblers house
As Becker was In charge OF that
district and sort OF special agent
on gambling this was easy for him
to do. But other gamblers learned
of It, and when they were raided
and their paraphernalia smashed OF
confiscated. they complained tt
Becker's superiors.
Forced to act on account OF the
pressure brought TO bear by those
above him, Becker notified Rosen
thai. according to the evidence. tina
he was going. to raid the place one
night early in July. 1912. Rosen
thai, incensed at this, and fearinl
that Becker was double crossing
him paid no attention to IT, The
place was raidcd. the furnishing
destroyed and q policeman stationed
at the house night and day to SET
that no gambling went on. Thi'
was the match that touched of
Rosenthars hatred OF policemen II
general, and In the parlance OF the
underworld he "squealed."
Through all his troubles. Beck
er's wife remained steadfastly true
to him. visiting him In the deatl
house AZ often a. she was allowed
sitting beside him throughout hi
trials and securing his lawyers.
Becker leaves two brothers-JohI
Becker, a police official. and Jack
son Becker. He was a. years old
His parents came to New York from
Germany, and Becker passed all o
his life here