New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-16
Man Police Sought s
Months SurrenderS
TO Prosecutor.
WILL NOT REVEAL
HIDING PLACE
Ex- Street Cleaning Deputy
VIII Plead to Murder
Indictment To-day.

Michael A. Rofrano, former Deputy
Street Cleaning Commissioner snd for
eight months a fugitive from. an in
dictment charging the murder Of Mich
sel Gsimari. one Of Tom Foley's politi-
cal Eeutensnts. voluntarily stepped
from unmolested freedom in Washing
ton Square u a cell in the Tombs yes
terday afternoon.
Scores Of persons. including patrol
men and street cleaners, lost an op-
portunity 20 claim Mayor Mitchel's Ia-
ward Of $4,000 for Rofrsno, who,
through his counsel, Martin W. Little
ton, made an appointment to meet Dis
tri,t Attorney Swami at the southwest
corner Of the square. No attention was
paid 10 the group as they walked
through the park filled with nurse girls
and loiterers, took taxi, and started
for the prison.
Rofrano will plead not guilty TO the
indictment before Judge Delehanty IN
General Sessions to-day.
Expect Political Exposures.
Because tho killing Of Gsimari WIS
alleged 10 be the result OF a conspiracy
70 deprive Foley Of leadership in the
"a Assembly District, IL is expected
that tho trial of Rofrano will unearth
political disclosures similar TO those
that accompanied the Becker case. One
youth is in the death house, and three
others are serving terms at Sing Sing
for the murder Of Foleys big, good
ratured lieutenant, who was shot down
on March s. 1915. The prosecution will
seek 20 show that Rofrano, leader Of
the independent Democratic organiza-
tion in Foley's district, was the insti-
gator Of the murder plot.
Where Rofrano has been since he
disappeared September 13 last neither
h. nor his counsel would say. One re-
port represents that he was hiding in
Greek club not more than 125 miles
from New York.
At Q o'clock yesterday afternoon Mr..
Littleton walked into the District At
,orney's Office. Judge Swami was busy
with some papers on his desk.
"lve been retained by Michael Ro-
franc" the lawyer said. "He wants to
give himself up provided he does not
have 10 go headquarters 10 be finger
printed
As soon as he could obtain bench
warrant Judge Swami accompanied Mr..
Littleton TO a taxicab. They slighted
on the northeast corner Of Washington
Square Here they were met by Rob-
ert Rofrano. one OF the defendants
brothers He shook hands hurriedly
with the District Attorney. then started
oiagouslly across the square toward
Mscdougal Street. Judge Swami and
Mr. Littieton followed leisurely.
ROfrano Greets Prosecutor.
When they were about 100 yards
from the intersection of Macdougal
Street and Washington Square South
they paused 10 consult their watches,
Il was Just $3.50 o'clock. As Judge
Swami turned 10 view the green park
plot m its spring costume, two men
stepped quietly up behind him. He
wheeled to greet Michael Rofrano and
his brother
The former Deputy Street Cleaning
Commissioner smiled and put forth his
hand
How do you do, Judge Swami. I'm
glad 20 see YOU" he said.
Too nonplussed TO reply, the District
Attorney stood staring at Rofrano.
Then his glance turned TO two patrol
men who stood not twenty-five feet
from the man for whose capture the
City Of New York offered $4,000 eight
months ago. At perhaps double the dis
lance In another direction a member OF
the Traffic Squad, in an idle moment,
was watching boys toss stones IN the
fountain.
Two street sweepers, once the super
numeraries of Rofrano, went by. Time
was when they would have Strengthened
up and dropped their brushes IN the
presence Of the Deputy Commissioners.
Vow they passed him, trundling their
truck without the slightest glance OF
recognition. Judge Swami produced
the bench warrant and talked for a
minute with RofranO.
Warden Drops Bills.
Four abreast -Rofrano, his brother,
his lawyer and the man who will try
10 prove him guilty Of murder-tney
retraced their steps across the square
10 the Lafayette Cafe. University Place
and Ninth Street. where they hired an
other taxi TO take them downtown:
They passed several other members OF
the police force and spring loiterers
too numerous TO mention, but the
Mayors reward remained unclaimed:
Rofrano talked about commonplace
subjects on the ride 10 the Iombs.
His occasional remarks about objects
m the street gave the impression that
he had not been in the city for some
time. Conversation with Mr.. Littleton
revealed the inference that both the
defendant and his brother had spent
Continued on page 4, column