New-York tribune., 1917-06-23

tives of the Consolidated Gas Company
told him that two meter inspectors en-
ploved by the company had visited
Cocchi's shop on February Is and IA
for the purpose of reading the gas
meter in the cellar. On both occasions
they were denied admittance 10 the
cellar, the company representatives.
said.
One of the inspectors has been sum
moned 10 appear as witness to-day.
The other has Joined the United States
navy. but arrangements for his appear
ance before the District Attorney as
witness will be made.
Ruth Cruger entered Cocchfs shop
in the early afternoon Of February 13.
Cocchi vanished in the afternoon OF
February IS. The girl was buried in
the cellar in the interval. The District
Attorney believes Cocchi's digging op-
erations prevented the gas company
men from gaining admittance to the
cellar.
Subway Guard Suspected Plot
Hardly less important testimony was
given by James A. Nevin. subway guard
No. 0l26S, employed by the INTERIOR
cugh Rapid Transit Company. In the
last part Of May or the early days of
June, he said, he was returning home
from work, and at 2:30 or 2:45 a. m.
passed the Cocchi bicycle shop at 5i2
West l27th Street. A covered wagon
was backed up to the cellar stairs in
front of the store and two men de-
scended the stairs. Nevin, being sus-
picious, reported the matter immedi-
ately to the Fourth Branch Detective
Bureau, and policeman was assigned
to Investigate.
Nevin told the District Attorney that
he accompanied the policeman on the
way back TO the bicycle shop, but held
back and stayed behind as they ap
preached the place as he "felt instinct
lively that trouble would follow If
mixed up in the matter"
The policeman. Nevln said, walked up
and spoke TO the men, and in the quiet
of the early morning Nevin is sure he
heard the bluecoat address the men in
familiar terms, "as II he knew them.
There was something in the wagon
Nevin said. but he could not determine
what il was After some delay the two
men climbed into the wagon and drove
away, he said
Mrs. Cocchi, on May %, received q
letter from her husband in ltaly;" said
District Attorney Swami in comment
ing on Nevin's testimony "She showed
part of the letter to Captain Costigan
but refused 10 show il all. ! think this
is highly significant. ! think, too, tha'
know what would have been taker
away in the wagon Nevin saw # there
had been no report by Nevin.
An effort is being made to locate tht
owner Of the wagon and 20 estaDllsf
the identity Of the men who were with
it, The District Attorney believes th'
wagon owner will be before him to-day
Mrs. Cocchi. questioned on Nevin''
testimony. said that about the time
mentioned by the subway guard
/ Charles Palumbo, a motorcycllst anC
former customer of her husband, tool
his motorcycle 10 the bicycle shop late
one night in wagon ne machin'
had broken down, she said. Palumbo
unable 20 gain admittance TO the store
waited until $3.50 o'clock the following
morning until she went 10 the store
and opened il. Her statement will be
investigated
District Attorney Swami yesterday
obtained records of the arrest on Sep
/ tember 70, 1907, Of an Italian who gave
4 his name as Antonio Cocchi, OF 1O'
Mulberry Street, and who was charged
( with assault on Fannie Goldoif, OF is.
East Fourth Street. The prisoner gave
4 his age as twenty-eight years. Alfredo
/ Cocchi now says he is thirty-six The
| District Attorney believes Antonio anC
Alfredo Cocchi may be the same man.
n.
Following cabled reports OF Cocchi':
attempt to evade extradition, Assistant
District Attorney William Harmon
Black yesterday visited the Italian Con
sulate in an effort 10 expedite the re
turn Of the Italian TO the United States
, No assurance that extradition would b,
arranged was given Mr. Black, who az
Iterward expressed the fear that consid
cradle difficulty would be encountered
in getting Cocchi to the United States
TO stand trial.
District Attorney Swami, in this con
nection, yesterday recalled that in 1895
an Italian was convicted OF murder ir
Boston. lie fed 70 Italy, and the Bos
ton authorities attempted 10 arrange
for his extradition. The then Secretary
Of State. John Hay. wrote TO the Bos
ton officials, saying that he did not
"even think II wise 10 ask fer the man's
extrsdition." Secretary Hay said fur
ther that cit would be useless 70 SEND
a detective TO Italy" to apprehend tho
man.
In 1894, in response 70 the request
Of the State Department for the extra
dtion Of a criminal. the government oi
| Italy replied that II never would con
sent 10 the extradition OF one Of It's
subjects accused Of crime in a for.
egn country. In quoting these Incl
dents District Attorney Swami said
there was reason TO believe that the at
titudc Of the Italian government had
changed since 1894.