New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-02
Widows Protest Silenced
nv Threat of Grim
inal Libel.
CHURCH BAN PUT
ON INSCRIPTION
Prosecutor Says Action Would
Not Need Whitman'S Aid
Burial To-day.

y Y
Governor Whitman was removed at
5.sO o'clock last night by Police In
,psctor Joseph a. Faurot and Captain
Andrew Wines. Mrs. Becker protested
for only a short time after it had been
pOinted out 70 her that she would sub
lee, herself TO prosecution for Grim
inal ,ibe..
Furthermore. had Mrs. Becker per-
sisted. the coffin would not have been
permitted within the Church Of st.
Nicholas Of Tolentine, Fordham Road
and s.. Andrews Avenue where the
funeral is 20 be held at 10 o'clock this
morning The executed mans widow
was informed Of this fact yesterday.
She was also told that q high requiem
mass would not be held over the body;
the mass. therefore, will be low.
Governor Whitman, al Albany last
night; refused 10 make any statement
regarding Becker's coffin plate. 1t was
SAID. however, that Mr.. Whitman had
10, been concerned in any way with
he removal Of the inscription.
The removal Of the plate followed a
long conference yesterday afternoon
bs.ween District Attorney Francis J.
Nsrua OF The Bronx, Deputy Police
Commissioner Leon Cooley, Captain
Wines and Inspector FsurOt. Just be-
fore the gathering Mr.. Martin said TO
newspaper men:
This is clearly a case Of criminal
l!be.. and 7 could 60 ahead and prose-
cute without seeking complaining
witness. l. would not be necessary for
Governor Whitman 70 move finger
Widow Guards Coffin.
When the conference had ended and
the plate had been taken of, Mr Mar
IN was asked whether any action would
be taken.
q can say nothing about that to-
night" he replied.
"D.d you have telephone talk with .
Governor Whitman today"
81 have nothing 70 say" he respond
Cd
When reporters called last night at
229l University Avenue, where Mrs. F.
Becker and her brother, John Lynch,
live, and in the parlor Of which the
conn lies, they were refused admit
tlrce 20 the room. Lynch, who stood
E, the door. and who denied that the
pate had been removed, told reporters
Who asked If they might look at the
e0tn again:
you may stand here in the hallway
ard look, that is as far as you may
60"
From that point it was not possible
70 see whether the plate was on or of
bec-use Of the heaps of flowers banked
On Ire coffin.
well. VII. you say whether or not
TIE plate has been removed ~ he was
tssed.
The plate is still there" Lynch re-
Piled.
"You have heard no objections 70 it,"
81 have been busy all day" he said,
'ol, nobody has told me that there
vas opposition 70 ~
Lynch Defiant Over Plate.
Lynch also said that if the Church
ac'aorues had refused 20 hold ser
s,ts over the body with the plate on
i.e co'tg lid, the funera. party would
It9e gone rgnt on 20 WOodlawn Gene .
tory. where burial is 20 be II ade.
For -me yesterday IL seemed that
ne coffin. plate and all, would be
blrea ,ais morning. Early in the af-
iernooo District Attorney Martin re-
'-se- 90 make clear his attitude on
,,ae matter, and IN Albany Governor
whitman would make no comment. But
!a'e DO the afternoon Deputy Commits
t.oHer Cooley, Inspector Faurot, Mr.. .
AarNn and TWO Of his assistants got
together ln Police Headcl arters and,
t'ler they had gained legal advice, ,e-
Caea mat the plate should be removed. /
Accordingly. a few minutes after Z .
Uyc.ock Inspector Faurot and Captain ,
vines, Of The Bronx, went 70 the .
becfer home and asked for Mrs. Beck 7
et When she entered the parlor, +
"aere the body was. Inspector Faurot .
'o.o her that she would involve her
SeI IN great trouble unless she had .
ne plate taken from the coffin lid. .
n-Is' Becker seemed careless Of the
Consequences that might follow. She .
attempted 10 justify her action by civ
!As Her views Of the case, contending
Wat her husband had been innocent .
tau mat, therefore, his death in the .
'At!F vas nothing snort Of murder.
At length however, she was per
tladed that what satisfaction she
!M'gh' gain by having the plate 20 into
,"e grave would not overcome the
serious results that would undoubt-
coy follow. And, though she finally .
SOnsented 20 do what Inspector Faurot
5l0ggeStec. u was not wholeheartedly. 50
ia1Ioi and Wines, with a light screw
e'NeI' Aited the plate from the lid in
lew minutes and left the house
u mad not been for Mrs Becker's
e'Sre on Saturday night 20 win sym
kS.hy Tor herself, praise for her hus-
..Ho memory and public condemna-
GVh OF Governor Whitman very prob
sg.y tne plate would have been inferred .
p'n the body, for il was through Mrs.
ECKER that news Of this was circulat- .
e. Covered with flowers, il is doubt /
80 The presence Of the startling in
,,,ripuon would have been noticed in .
'"e 70 interrupt the church service.
rAl the Church Of St. Andrew of I
olen'!ne last evening 1t was said thai .
We Kew Nicholas J. Murphy, the pas ,
Ir would not officiate al the services .
ssSause he will not return from Phila- I
ssvphla, whore he now is, IN time. II is .
Fooao!e that Father Whelan, one Of .
charge
=. We have been given a great deal Of
s.uesirable notoriety because of this"
pporters were informed. "ln the first
tsee 10 seemed 20 be taken for grant
- mat We would permit a coffin bear
,Is such d plate 20 be brought into this /
~-ich. We certainly would not have |
Continued on page 8. column D