The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-23
GRAFT HUNTERS
ENTER ON TRAIL
OF POLITICIANS
Win Court Fight to Get
Books of Builders Sup
ply Bureau.
TO SIFT PIER LEASES
John A. Mccarthy, Ex-Part-
ner of c. F. Murphy, Will
Be Summoned.
HYLAN SIDE CHECKMATED
Board Of Estimate Virtually
Stalled-City Contractors
Must Give Affidavits.

Two decisive victories by the Lock-
wood committee cleared it's path of
legal and technical Instructions yes
terday and opened the way for as
complete and thorough investigation
of the building monopolies and city
pier contracts as Samuel Untermyer,
counsel for the State inquiry, knows
how to make.
Justice Henry d. Hotchkiss in the
Supreme Court, denied the motions
made by Martin Conboy to vacate
subpoena sent out for the books and
papers of the Builders Supply Bureau.
The committee will now be able to go
into the records dealing with the al
legged building material trust. What
is more important, Tammany poll
ticians will have to tell what they
know about pier leases and mys-
terious rebates in certain building
material industries
Mr.. Untermyer broke off all rela-
ions and negotiations with the Board
~ A~''hlilitllt. Wy OlllCldlS llicl W oi-
sanize their separate investigation
into municipal contracts. Faced with
threat that Mr.. Untermyer would
show their inquiry up and would blow
1t off the map, the board decided it
did not know just where it stood,
made two or three feeble. moves and
adjourned. Members of the Lockwood
committee believe the city investiga-
ton will not be pressed as Mayor
Hylan has outlined
Four Attacks Defeated.
Mr. Untermyer has defeated four
separate attacks on the right of the
legislative committee 10 conduct the
investigation. These were the legal
moves made on behalf of George
Backer wealthy contractor, and Rob-
ert p. Brindell, the labor leader, both
Of whom are indicted the efforts of
the Board of Estimate to divert the
inquiry from city contracts and the
fight on behalf of the Building Bu-
reau. Counsel for the committee be-
leves that the last difficult hurdle has
been taken and that there will be little
trouble hereafter.
II became known yesterday that Mr.
Cntermycr broke off relations with the
city administration on Saturday when
he abruptly cancelled an engagement for
a conference with officials representing
the Mayor. Although no explanation of
the transaction was made, II was said
IT, IYx.4a a
trying to cooperate with an administra-
tion which cared so little for its prom
ises In effect. he served notice on the
officials that IL any move was made by
The Board OF Estimate to draw herring
across the trail OF the investigation he
would use all the resources at his COM
mand to show the public exactly what
was being done to sidetrack the in
qury.
What happened Saturday may remain
an official secret, but IT was certain
yesterday that the board proceeded halt
ingly. and then suspended, with the tacit
understanding that the officials are to
follow the Lockwood committee rather
than try to take the lead.
To Call Murphy's Ex-Partner.
John A. Mccarthy. contractor, for
merly partner of Charles Il. Murphy.
will be one OF the first witnesses called
when the committee begins searching
the Building Bureaus books. Mr.. I'm
termyer hopes that Mr.. Mccarthy can
give the committee some valuable help
in showing how the city pier leases were
manipulated to shut out building mate
rails. and how the trusts In those mate
rails operated Many other witnesses
will be called to help the committee
clarity this situation
Thorough investigation Of the city ad-
ministration from top to bottom by
legislative committee. as was outlined in
THE NEW YoRK HERALD. will be started
In all probability early next spring
Either the powers Of the Lockwood COM
mittec will be enlarged to provide for
such an inquiry or new committee
created.
Mr.. Untermyer said he expected TO
complete his work In connection with
this investigation about the middle of
January. lie will spend the winter
months in Florida as has been his GUS
tom for several years. The Lockwood
committee will present considerably
more evidence regarding city affairs be-
fore II has completed It's work and that
will lay the basis for the demand for
cleaning out the city departments.
objections 60 Subpoena.
In the proceedings before Justice
Hotchkiss Mr.. Conboy appeared as coun-
sci for Miss Elizabeth O'Dea. an employee
of The Building Supply Bureau, and
argued against the validity OF the sub
puna duces tecum served upon her Fri
day for the production of her employers
books. records. letters, &c. Mr.. Conboy
made the following objections to the
subpoena:
The power of the Lockwood commit
tee to subpoena witnesses and records
expired upon adjournment of the extra
Continued on Ninth Page.