Rothstein (55 page)

63 Lorraine at the track: Katcher, pp. 63-65; Clarke, pp. 216-24.

64 Percival Hill episode: Katcher, pp. 65-71.

Chapter 6: “He’ll Crucify the Big Feller”

66 “Clubber” Williams: O’Connor, pp. 95-96; Lardner and Reppetto, pp. 69-70, 97-98, Davis, p. 214; Logan, pp. 106-07. In an era of commonplace police brutality, Williams set the departmental standard. He once observed: “There is more law in the end of a policeman’s nightstick than in a decision of the Supreme Court.”

67 Price of promotions: The NYPD abolished the position of roundsman (equivalent to the military rank of corporal) in 1905, promoting all roundsmen to sergeant. All sergeants (including Becker) became lieutenants.

67 Big Bill Devery: In 1902 Devery and Farrell used their political connections to become owners of New York’s new American League franchise, the Highlanders-now the Yankees. Until the late 1890s, Frank Farrell had been only a Sixth Avenue saloonkeeper. But when his friend, Tammany’s Asa Bird Gardiner, won the district attorney’s office in 1897 on the platform “To Hell With Reform!” Farrell took full advantage of the times-and of his closeness to the new D.A-by teaming with Devery in the pool-hall business. Farrell eventually owned 250 pool halls and, for good measure, operated a gambling house on West 33rd Street, near the old Waldorf-Astoria. His gambling house, “The House with the Bronze Door,” remodeled under Stanford White’s supervision, was rivaled only by Richard Canfield’s opulent East 44th Street casino. Farrell’s close connections to Big Tim Sullivan hurt him neither in running gambling houses nor in preventing other Tammany factions from encroaching on the land where he would build Hilltop Field. Devery and Frank Farrell retained the team until January 1915, when they dumped the Highlanders on former East Side Congressman Colonel Jacob Ruppert and Captain T. L. Huston. They received $460,000 for the ball club they purchased for just $18,000. (Pietrusza, Major Leagues, pp. 168-70, 175-76; Graham, The New York Giants, pp. 19-33; Graham, The New York Yankees, pp. 3-5; Asbury, Sucker’s Progress, pp. 451-54; Sante, p. 172)

68 “There’s been … he looks.”: Allen (The Tiger), p. 197. Prohibition crusader Carry Nation visited Devery headquarters to inexplicably endorse his candidacy. “He isn’t a Republican or a Democrat or anything like that,” she told the stunned crowd, “-he’s a Prohibitionist.” Mrs. Nation then ordered her audience to throw away their “filthy cigarettes and cigars.” They obeyed.

69 Becker’s early life: Jonathan Root’s One Night in July records that Becker met Rothstein at this time. As A. R. was roughly eleven, that is unlikely.

69 Becker arrests Dora Clark: No blacks were appointed to the NYPD until 1911.

71 “That’s your share …” …….. much they paid.”: Logan, p. 108-18; Root (One Night in July), pp. 33-41; Berryman, pp. 145-46; NY Times, 18 July 1912, p. 2; Wertheim and Sorrentino, pp. 222-24; Colvert, pp. 97-99; Davis (Red Badge of Courage), pp. 155-67. From 1904 through 1907, Charles Whitman presided as magistrate at the same Jefferson Market Police Court where Charles Becker had accused Dora Clark. There Whitman learned firsthand why cops like Becker falsely arrested persons, quite often prostitutes and professional petty criminals. The accused, not wishing to spend the night in jail, would secure bail. Bondsmen would then split their fees with arresting officers and local police captains. In court the following morning, the arresting officer would conveniently present so little and such unconvincing evidence that the defendant would go free. When Whitman discovered this scam, he lobbied the state legislature to institute a system of night courts, to accelerate the judicial process and reduce fraudulent arrests and bail bonding.

72 “outward order and decency.”: Thomas, passim. Gaynor won the mayoralty with just 43 percent of the vote. Lackluster Republican Otto Bannard received 30 percent. William Randolph Hearst, the Independence League candidate, received 27 per cent.

73 Cropsey: Cropsey’s appointment probably came about because Gaynor mistook him for someone else. He replaced William E Baker. Baker is remembered as owner of the bedraggled Philadelphia Phillies and namesake of its equally bedraggled ballpark, Baker Bowl.

72 Strong-arm squads: The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire occurred on Waldo’s watch as Fire Commissioner.

72 Rose, Selig: In November 1910 Rose served as President of Second Avenue’s premier gambling club while Herman Rosenthal served as treasurer. When police raided the place, the club succeeded in going to court to have the occupation lifted. According to the New York Telegraph, Rose stated, “the club was used for the promotion of social intercourse. Among its many members, he stated, were prominent citizens. It was further shown that liberal contributions were made to many charitable institutions and that the club did much to ameliorate conditions in its immediate neighborhood.” (NY Telegraph, 3 November 1910, p. 5)

73 “a Harlem negro gambling resort.”: NY World, 16 July 1912, p. 3; NY Times, 21 July 1912, p. 2. The word “resort” then possessed a different, less grand, meaning. Bridgey Webber’s poolroom above 42nd Street’s United Cigar Store was also commonly referred to as a “resort.”

73 “The first … you to do.”: NY World, 15 July 1912, pp. 1-2; NY World, 17 July 1912, p. 3; NY World, 10 October 1912, p. 6; NY Times, 19 July 1912, p. 2; Klein, p. 9; Root (One Night in July), p. 28.

74 “Get that … out of town.”: Rothstein and Tom Foley were well used to working with each other. When Rothstein issued his first bail bond in 19 10for confidence man “Plunk” Drucker-it was at Foley’s behest.

74 “The Big … here.” … “I’m staying right here.”: Katcher, pp. 80-81.

75 “You’re not … … … go to hell,” ibid, pp. 83-84.

75 “In that … District Attorney.” Rothstein, p. 54.

76 Rosenthal at the Metropole: Fried, pp. 23-24; Root (One Night in July), p. 15; Crane, pp. 127-28. Carolyn Rothstein reported that A. R. believed that if George Considine had been present at his establishment, Rosenthal’s shooting would have never occurred. “George would have stopped it,” Arnold said of his longtime friend.

76 “Can you … Herman?”: NY World, 16 July 1912, pp. 1-2. It’s often incorrectly alleged that the Rosenthal case was the first use of an automobile in a murder. “Spanish Louis” (John C. Lewis), a brutish Rosenthal henchman, met his death on East 11th Street on April 29, 1910. His murderers used a Pierce Arrow to escape.

76 Police at the Metropole: Any number of unlikely characters were on the scene. Least likely was owlish young New York Times reporter (and future drama critic) Alexander Woollcott, model for the insufferable “Sheridan Whiteside” in Moss Hart’s play, The Man Who Came to Dinner. “I shall always remember the picture of that soft, fat body wilting on the sidewalk with a beer-stained tablecloth serving as its pall …,” Woollcott would write, “Just behind me an oldtimer whispered … `From where I stand,’ he said, `I can see eight murderers.’ “(Woollcott, p. 212)

77 “I got the license …………. I thought-“: Klein, p. 14; Logan, p. 33; Root (One Night in July), pp. 21-22.

77 “I accuse … conviction can result.”: Root (One Night in July), pp. 65-66; Crane, pp. 129-130.

78 “Shapiro told me … getaway.”: NY Times, 19 July 1912, p. 2.

79 “Do you believe … told you already.”: Ibid.

79 “a very well … Rosenthal left off.”: NY Times, 19 July 1912, p. 2; Root (One Night in July), p. 87.

79 “investigating a … investigation.”: NY Times, 23 July 1912, p. 2. Tammany also gave Whitman its nomination in 1913 as he sought reelection as district attorney.

80 Shortly after the Triangle Shirtwaist trial, Steuer bought a former German protestant church on the Lower East Side that Bald Jack Rose had turned into a boxing club, the “Houston Athletic Club.” Steuer converted it into the National Theatre. Ironically (in view of Steuer’s defense work in the Triangle Shirtwaist case), in February 1913, his projectionist literally yelled “fire” in a crowded theater-and two persons died. In 1915 Steuer escaped disbarment for coaching a witness in a palimony suit against theatrical producer Abe Erlanger. (littp://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0151/goldfein.php; Mitgang, pp. 198-99; Fowler (Beau James), pp. 278-79; Walsh, p. 244.

81 “yield[ing] to the … represent them.”: NY Times, 17 July 1912, p. 1; Root (One Night in July), p. 109; Logan, p. 123; Klein, pp. 34-36.

81 Schepps: NY World, 1 August 1912, pp. 1, 2; NY World, 13 Aug 1912, pp. 1, 2; NY World, 14 August 1912, pp. 1, 2; NY World, 15 August 1912, pp. 1, 2; NY World, 19 August 1912, pp. 1, 2; Schepps reached Hot Springs, Arkansas before being arrested. Police issued this picturesque description of the fugitive: “Sam Schepps. American Hebrew, occupation enlarger of photos, real estate or other agent or salesman, gambler, aged 35 years, height 5 feet 7 inches, weight 145 to 150 pounds, slender build, light complexion, skin a little rough, light hair, blue eyes, large nose, wears nose glasses [a pince-nez], one eye a little crossed, gold filling in teeth, smooth shaven, intelligent, smooth talker, dresses neatly, wears considerable jewelry, constant frequenter of theatres, associate of sporting men, vaudeville actors, etc., accustomed to good living, spends much time in Turkish baths, incessant cigarette smoker.” (NY Times, 25 July 1912, p. 2)

81 “You have … he belonged.”: NY Times, 27 July 1912, p. 2. At one point Gaynor wrote Waldo: “But, my dear Mr. Commissioner, remember that the Mayor has every confidence in you and sustains you.”

82 “I cannot help … man must be”: NY Times, 2 August 1912, p. 2; Thomas, pp. 416-19, 424-27; Root (One Night in July), p. 72. The Rosenthal murder case, and the prominence it gave to Lower East Side gamblers, thugs, and pimps prompted deep soul-searching within New York’s Jewish community. The city’s short-lived Kehillah instituted a “Bureau of Social Morals” to uplift behavior. The Kehillah’s detective bureau compiled a detailed record of Jewish criminality. Of Segal’s Cafe, a Second Avenue hangout for such criminals as Jack Zelig, a bureau investigator wrote that “regardless of the law … [someone should] plant a 14-inch gun and shoot the damn basement and its hoard of carrion into perdition.” Today, the Bureau’s records reside at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University (Fried, pp. 1-7, 76-81).

82 Sulzer: NY Times, 19 September 1913, p. 1-2; Weiss, pp. 59-63; Connable and Silberfarb, pp. 253, 255; Allen (The Tiger), pp. 210, 221. The ambitious Sulzer had attempted to secure the 1900 Democratic vice-presidential nomination, but his boomlet collapsed when Tammany’s Richard Croker jibed, “[William Jennings] Bryan and Sulzer! How long before everybody would be saying `Brandy and Selzer?’ ” (Easton, p. 186)

83 Sullivan death, funeral: NY Times, 17 July 1913, p. 7; NY Times, 14 September 1913, pp. 1-2; NY Times, 15 September 1913, p. 9; NY Times, 16 September 1913, p. 5; NY Times, 18 September 1913, p. 6; Harlow, pp. 520-22; Werner, pp. 509-10; Logan, p. 233; Klein, p. 340.

83 Gaynor: Thomas, pp. 489-95; Connable and Silberfarb, p. 255.

84 Zelig death: Root (One Night in July), pp. 132-33; Logan, pp. 170-02; Crane, pp. 131-12. Some contend that Zelig’s demise may not have been connected to the Rosenthal case, instead linking it to two enemies within his own gang, Jack Sirocco and Chick Tricker. In December 1911 they dispatched Julie Morrell to kill Zelig, but instead Zelig lured Morrell to a Second Avenue dance hall. The lights went out, and a single bullet entered Morrell’s heart.

84 “Well, it … gone [framed]”: Klein, p. 63; Root (One Night in July), p. 163.

84 “All that’s … to fear.”: NY World, 12 October 1912, pp. 1-3; Klein, p. 64; Logan, p. 130; Root (One Night in July), p. 106.

85 “Hello … congratulate you.”: NY World, 12 October 1912, p. 2; Klein, p. 130; Root (One Night in July), pp. 107, 171, 203, 219; Crane, p. 136.

85 “It was … future squealers.”: NY World, 12 October 1912, p. 2; Klein, p. 131; Logan, p. 130; Root (One Night in July), p. 107.

85 “I don’t … or anything”: NY World, 12 October 1912, p. 2; Klein, p. 120; Root (One Night in July), pp. 161-62.

85 Becker guilty: NY World, 12 October 1912, p. 3; NY World, 14 October 1912, pp. 1, 2; Root (One Night in July), pp. 118-19; Fried, pp. 81. Goff had served as counsel to the 1894 Lexow investigation of city corruption.

86 “…. the defendant …. law and discretion.”: 210 N.Y.P. 289.

86 “There was a … to him.”: Klein, p. 149; Root (One Night in July), p. 291.

86 Executions: Klein, pp. 290-13; Root (One Night in July), pp. 270,279-80,284.

86-87 New defense team: Logan, pp. 252-53, 256-58; Root (One Night in July), pp. 271; Mitgang, pp. 103-04. In 1890 Cockran defended William Kemmler, a Buffalo vegetable dealer charged with murdering his common-law wife. Kemmler would become the first man executed in an electric chair, and electricity interests feared his death would give their new product a bad name. George Westinghouse thus hired Cockran to save Kemmler from having 2,000 volts pumped through his body. Cockran failed, and Kemmler was duly executed-using a Westinghouse generator (http://www.crimelibrary.com/ notorious_murders/not_guilty/chair/5.html?sect= 14 ).

87 “all them … in New York.”: Klein, pp. 293-314; Logan, p. 266; Root (One Night in July), pp. 289-91.

87-88 Whitman elected: Whitman defeated incumbent Governor Martin Glynn and the disgraced William Sulzer (running on the Prohibition and American Party tickets). In that same election, Samuel Seabury won a seat on the Court of Appeals. The year before he bolted the Democratic Party, running-and losing-for the same office as a Progressive. In 1914, after presiding at the Becker trial, he ran-and won-with Tammany backing.

88 “My private telephone … I could.”: Klein, pp. 128, 379; Logan, pp. 301-06; Root (One Night in July), pp. 297-99, 303. The July 29, 1915 New York Times reported: “Mr. Whitman had evidence of the Circle Theatre conference at the time of the second trial, but could not bring it out because Becker failed to take the stand. This conference was held on the Sunday night before Rosenthal was murdered. It was on this occasion Becker urged `Big Tim’ Sullivan not to raise a sum of money to send the gambler out of the city. This was known to the District Attorney’s office all along, together with the motive for Becker’s admonition. Becker at that time had arranged for Rosenthal’s murder the following night.” Becker’s account actually confirms Rosenthal’s account, explaining why Herman was so incensed at Becker’s shakedowns. Becker wasn’t just extorting Beansy. With Big Tim being Beansy’s partner; Becker was also shaking down “The Big Feller” himself. No wonder Sullivan’s henchmen were so eager to sacrifice Becker.