New-York tribune., 1920-10-27
Governor Names State At.
torney General Instead
of Swami for Cases
Arising From Inquiry
New Grand Jury
Also Is Specified
Meanwhile the Regular
Panel, Meeting Monday,
Is Authorized to Act

ed Attorney General Newton to prose
cute the alleged building material
trust now under investigation by the
Lockwood joint legislative commit
tee. He decided that any evidence of
a criminal nature arising out of the
inquiry must be placed before a new
extraordinary grand jury, instead of
the present panel headed by Raymond
+. Almirall.
Close on the heels Of this develop
ment came fresh revelations of the op-
erations Of the labor ring and con-
tractors combine, which are declared
to be responsible for the housing
shortage.
Swami Superseded
The designation Of Newton to super
sede District Attorney Swami as the
prosecutor was the direct result of OBJ
jections advanced against the latter by
Samuel Untermycr. counsel for the
committee. The appointment of a new
extraordinary grand jury comes in the
nature of a compromise?
Tammany Hall leaders were strongly
against the case coming before the AL
mirall jury because of its having in
dicted Charles F. Murphy, leader of
counsel for the committee that the
selection of new jury would mean a
great loss of time, as it will take at
least twenty days to form new panel
To overcome this objection it was
agreed that any special matters that
may arise during the interval may be
placed by Mr.. Untermyer and his as
socates before the grand jury which
convenes Monday. 1t is quite prob
able, from present information that
counsel for the Lockwood committee
will appear before the grand jury
Monday, in accordance with this ar
rangement, and ask for several indict
ments.
The decisions were reached after
numerous conferences and long bat
tie at the Hotel Biltmore among the
Governor, Attorney General Newton
Assistant District Attorney Alfred j
Talley, acting for Mr.. Swami, and Mr.
Untermyer. 1t was thought that Tam
many, many of whose adherents are
involved in the scandal, would marsha
sufficient force to have the matter un
duly delayed. The present arrange
ment, however. is satisfactory to botf
sides and insures quick action
The Governors Statement
The Governors statement reads:
81 have conferred with the Attorney
General, Mr.. Untermyer and Mr.. Tai
ley, representing Judge Swami, and We
are all in thorough agreement that the
| housing inquiry is of sufficient impor
tance to require the submi ission of it!
| findings, which indicate crime, to al
extraordinary term of the Supreme
| Court.
81 am OF the opinion that an ex
tIaordinary grand jury should be i'm
panelled which will be able to give al
oil its time to this work. The presen
extraordinary grand jury has been il
%cssion over year, and it is not il
the public interest to continue it fol
the great additional time which thi:
inquiry will take.
"ln accordance with Mr. Inter
myers request, | shall also designate
the Attorney General to conduct tn,
inquiry, assuming that he will confer
authority on Mr.. Untermyer and hi.
associates to appear before the grane
jury. The extraordinary term will bt
convened Immediately.
'ln the mean time, in order to ex
pedite any special matters that may
arise during tho brief interval which
must clapse while the new grand jury
is being called, the District Attorney
/ has consented to confer authority OF
Mn Untermyer and his associates tC
appear at once before the regular ad
ditional grand jury that will con
vene Monday, so that where necessary
immediate action may be taken
This grand jury and all its pro
ceedings and matters brought beTor,
it in connection with the subject viii
be under the executive control Of th4
Attorney General and those whom h,
may deputize for the purpose. Thi.
arrangement meets with the full ap
proval of all concerned.'
New Evidence of Combine
The new disclosures in connection
with the operations of the graftn,
labor leaders indicate that PRACTICAL,
no building could be put up or tor,
down without the consent of the Build
ing Trades Council.
1t is said by men in the industr,
that toll of 81 load is levied OF
contracting house wreckers for tn
privilege OF removing debris at build
ing operations. A contractor engage,
Continued on pags sevcn)