GENERAL NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 99, 12 September 1912, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

It :hiis remained for Princess Maria Alexandrovna. Garatzina, whose family is in Russia, to put Tolstoi's teaching to the practical test hy giving up her wealth -and earning her own living by her own hands. The princess, who is 23 years of age, recently left her parents' house and became a servant, tier first "place" was that of kitchen maid in an hotel. She had to rise at four o'clock in the morning and clean a hundred pair of hoots daily. She next became a waitress, but the life was too strenuous for 'her and she fell ill. On recovering she became a saleswoman in a large shop. The experience she passed through at this calling, however, did not please her, and she found another situation as waitress. The princess is quite content with her lot. She declares that she is happier than when she lived in the family palace doing nothing. She intends to earn her own living during her lifetime, and hopes to die a working woman. Apropos of the methods of the New York police, about which some very unsavory details are being given, during the progress of the Rosenthal murder •trial, it appears that Lieutenant Becker has long enjoyed an unhealthy reputation. His career was both varied and turbulent.' Some years ago he came into great prominence as a life-savor, and actually received the medal for valor. After Becker had worn the medal for two years, Butler, whom iho claimed to hare rescued from drowning, made an affidavit that he was an expert swimmer himself, and had taken a midsummer •plunge at the request of Becker, backed by ai promise that he would receive £3 for the ducking. But Becker never paid the money. He further alleged that Becker would have drowned if he (Butler) had not held him up. Becker denounced his accused as a liar, and declared: that the latter had been "put up" against him by Inspector Schmittberger, with whom he wa* on ted terms at the time. Rosenthal, in his depositions, declared that since he was 17 years old he had been forced to push hush-money to the New York police. Originally he had dealt only with police "captains." but latterly he had had to find money for the subordinates. Becker wa» his partner in one gambling-house, and regularly drew 20 per cent, of the takings. His (Rosenthal's) premises were occasionally raided, but' these visitations were "by arrangement," From the telephone operator he received notice of the intended raid, and by the time the police arrived on the scene no roulette table or other gambling apparatus was discoverable. He had had to pay as much as £3 a <'iy to a policeman on his beat to keep him sweet. He also declared' that Becker was worth over £12,000, and that Ins income ranged from £ 1.500 to £2OOO a month. He knew that he carried hi* [life in hi* hand, for "squealing" was punishable bv death.