The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-16
ROFRANO SURRENDERS;
GOES TO TOMBS CELL
Accused Slayer Waits in Washington Square for Dis
trict Attorney Swann-Refuses to Tell Where He
Hid-Political Feud Led to Murder Plot.

Michael A. Rofrano. former Deputy
Street Cleaning Commissioner. who has
been sought all over the country for
eight months. quietly gave himself up
In Washington Square in broad daylight
yesterday afternoon to answer to
charge Of murder growing out of his
political rivalry with Tom Foley in the
downtown Little Italy.
The question OF where Rofrano has
been hiding all this time Ia still un-
answered. lie did not tell where he had
been to any of those with whom he came
torney Swami, to whom personally Ro-
franc surrendered. did not ask him. 1t
was hlnted that he made long motor
trip to reach the District Attorney.
Rofrano spent last night in Il Tombs.
and will be arraigned to-da before
Judge Delehanty In General : ssions to
plead to the indictment that h = NJ long
hung over his head charging first de.
gree murder lie is charged with pro-
curing the killing Of Micha,' Gaimari.
Tammany follower under Rofrano ;
rival, Tom Foley. on March 2. 1915.
His political activities have made Ro-
franc well known. Before getting the
position in the Street Clearing Depart
ment. which he resigned Just before his
Indictment and Hight, he was once
Superintendent of the Tenement House
Department. an organizer Of the Home
Rule Democratic Club in Madison street.
was an active worker for Mayor Mitchell
and against Tammany.
Goes TO TOmbs In n Taxi.
District Attorney Swami, Martin W.
Littleton, Rofrano's counsel. and his
brother, Robert Rofrano, were in the
taXicab in which the indicted man rode
to the Tombs. The surrender had been
arranged bv Mr.. Littleton. who was en-
gagged by Robert Rofrano for the pur-
pose. The party found Rofrano. looking
tanned and healthy. standing within a
few feet of three uniformed policemen.
who never dreamed he was the man
whose picture and description have been
scattered broadcast with an offer OF
5000 for his arrest.
ON the way across town Judge Swami
talked with Rofrano. but said later he
did not ask him where he had been
since september. when he eluded de-
tectives set TO watch him and disap-
peared almost simultaneously with the
finding of the murder indictment agains'
him Rofrano declined 10 tell where hs
had been TO other inau!rers. and Mt
Littleton said he didn't know. Robert
Rofrano said
Hes been in hell: now he's u
heaven
At the time his brother Mike was II
his cell in murderer's row In the Tomhs
According To Mr.. Littleton the reason
why the former Deputy street Clean
ing Commissioner ran away when he wac
/ indicted was political. II would not TAX
a wise person to see that he would have
been a political sacrifice II he had stay.I
and been tried then, in the height %
Il political campaign, said Mr.. Littletob
Prisoner May Tell All.
you dom, need to tell me that con
ditions now are different" Mr.. Litt!etoT
continued You don't need book wr't
ten ON the situation. II was not un
natural that he should 90 away heliev
ins that he was indicted for politica
reasons. A man with as many friends
AZ he had then. and still has, think
may have had too many advisers.
The first ! knew about his desire
10 surrender was forty-elght hours ago
when his brother retained me. Tne'
a plan of surrender was gone into. anC
while / was in Judge Swann's office To
day a telephone message from youns
Rofrano told me whsr | could NEE
the defendant"
Judge swami and Mr.. I.ittleton prob
ably will confer to-day on the poseibl
ity OF Rofrano telling where he spen
his eicht months Ia hiding. and per
haps determine the truth of the man!
rumors of his hiding place that nav
been circulated while the police searche,
everywhere for him.
Mr.. I.ittleton has not yet suggeste,