The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-14
UNTERMYER'S PLAN
FOR INQUIRY WINS
Housing Committee Will In
vestigate Building Materials
Trust Without Delay.

AT a stormy session In which the
words "liar," ''faker' and skunk" were
heard the Joint Legislative Committee
wood chairman, disclaimed yesterday all
charges of intentional delay in investi-
cation of the so-called building mate
rails trust and forwarded letter to
Samuel Untermyer. instigator of the in
quiry, virtually accepting the conditions
Mr. Untermyer had laid down under
which he would be willing to undertake
to aid in the investigation.
Mr.. UrEermyer replied to the COM
mttee's letter last night. and 1t was
understood he stated their views are
: acceptable. He VIII confer with the
committee to-day, when, 1t is expected. a
definite understanding will be reached
whereby he will act as associate counsel
to the committee, and the inquiry will be
got under way.
The committee proposes to furnish at
least two more prominent attorneys 70
acvt as assistants to Mr.. Untermyer.
The correspondence between the COM
mittee and Mr.. Untermyer was not made
public, but 1t is understood that among
the conditions laid down by Mr.. Inter
myer under which he would take up the
inquiry were that he be given free hand
In examination of witnesses and that
the sessions of the committee be con-
tinued from day to day until the in
Quiry Is completed.
Senator Lockwood indicated at the
committee meeting that both these stipu-
lations would be agreed to. with the pro-
viso that the committee sessions should
be adjourned whenever in the opinion of
the attorneys 1t was necessary for out
side research the summoning of wit
nesses and similar reasons. The COM
mittee acquiesced in these points. with
the exception of Assemblyman James II.
Caulfield. who declared that he will not
waive his right to interrupt counsel and
ask questions Of witnesses. whenever he
may see fit. f
The committees disclaimer of inten-
stional delay was emphasized by bitter
colloquy between Senator Peter A.
Abeles and Senator John ]. Dunnigan,
both Of the Borough of The Bronx.
Senator Abeles admitted. that he was
the informant for a newspaper story OF
what is alleged to have occurred in an
executive session of the committee last
week and which accused the committee
of delaying the inquiry, and he also de-
sired to be assured very definitely upon
the question Of delay in the future be-
fore he was ready to vote upon the pro-
posal of Mr.. Untermyer yesterday after
noon.
Senator Dunnigan then made the
statement that whoever gave the news
papers the information they printed is a
damn liar" Later he made that char
acterization specific to Senator Abeles in
loud voice, whereupon Senator Abeles
replied that Senator Dunnigan in calling
him "a damn liar was himself "a
damn liar"
you have simply been attacking this
committee to make votes for yourself in
your district where you are running
for Office" shouted Senator Dunnigan.
Senator Abeles is running for reelection
to the Senate.
That's not true. and you can't call
me down in this committee" replied Sem
ator AbeIes holly.
IT can call you down whenever get
ready. Il hate a faker and that's what
you are! 70 r ~t
You are a faker yourself. You have
not supported the rent legislation. You've
been trimming the tenants right and
left" Senator Abeles then flung at his
critic.
After five minutes ct that sort of
abuse of each other. Senator Abeles APP
pealed to Chairman Lockwood. who so
far had preserved silence and neutrality,
to "call Senator Dunnigan to ORDER
I'll call you to order with my coat
off, IL 1 hear much more from you."
Senator Dunnigan broke in.
At one period of the controversy Sem
ator Dunnigan left his seat and went
over and stood by Senator Abeles. At
another time Senator Abeles got up and
stormed around the floor, but neither
made any attempt to strike the other.
When the committee adjourned Sena-
tor Dunnigan turned and looked at Sena-
tor Abeles and said:
'"rhis is the first committee l ever
served on that had skunk on it."
Senator Abeles replied:
Eyes I know who the skunk is"