New-York tribune., 1920-10-28
New Evidence in Building
Inquiry Shows Heads
Collected 81 a Week
Tax From Laborers
One Trade Group
Offers to Tell All
Members Ask Immunity
From Jail; Brindell to
Fight New Summons

II was disclosed yesterday that
$4,000 common laborers have been pay
ing 50 week each out of their wages
70 the labor organizations under in
eestigation by the Lockwood commit
Tee for the privilege of continuing at
work
Evidence to this effect has been
turned over to the committee investi-
eating the alleged building material
rust, and is expected to be presented
q. the hearing in the Aldermaric Clam
Der this morning.
committee Of members of one of
the trade bodies subscribing to John
7. Hettrck's code of practice" scheme
called upon Samuel Untcrmyer, coun-
sci for the committee. yesterday and
offered TO make clean breast of it if
they were assured they would get off
with fine and be saved from going to
jail.
Brindell and Hcttrick Summoned
Robert z. Brindell, head Of the
Building Trades Council, a central
agure IN the inquiry, has been sub
ppnseG TO appear at this mornings
hearing, with Hettrick and several
others.
Brndell, il was reported, has re
tanned Martin w. Llttleton as his at
,orney. and may refuse to appear. In
stead OF complying with the commit
tees subpoena, it was said, he will be
prepared TO challenge the authority Of
the committee to question him. He
will base his defiance on the methods
Of counsel for the committee and an
alleged flaw III q clause Of the law
establishing the committee, casting
doubt on ITS constitutionality
1t is expected that Mr.. Littleton will
te present at the session and explain
why his client declines TO appear. His
tit with the committees counsel and
may result in Brindell being held IN
Contempt.
Hettrick, who already has been de-
ciared in contempt, has been ordered
to produce certain books and papers
which were overlooked when agents
Of the Attorney General raided his
cfice at 1865 Broadway. The papers
desired relate to his financial trans
actions with his clients.
That nothing may stand in the way
Of criminal proceedings growing out
Of the inquiry, the Governor yesterday
signed the order convening the extra
ordinary grand jury for November 30.
Justice John V. NcAvoy will preside.
According to the order the jury Will
hear charges of extortion, bribery,
conspiracy. violations Of the Donnelly
act and refusal of witnesses to answer
Questions before the Lockwood Com
mttee The Governor last night also
signed the order placing Attorney
General Newton in charge of the
vlosecutions
Soon after these orders were issued
Mr.. Untermyer had conference with
| Justice McAvoy, at the close of which
! It was evident that the committees
counsel was perfectly satisfied with
| the arrangement. AS the committee
fas authority to place its evidence be
fore the regular grand jury in the in
1 terval it Is expected that Mr.. Cnter-
lty by Attorney General Newton and
will lose no time in making present
ments when the jury convenes on
/ Monday.
In the meantime it is reported that
brindell has been making great efforts
TO keep his organization together by
promises of raises in wages. 1t vas
/ sad that he promised workers in the
i lulding industry a raise of dollar q
j day on January Of next year me-
1 cnarics to be boosted from 50 to $40,
| and laborers from 81 to So Brindell
! pledged himself to make good on this
/ promise, it was declared, even if he
! isd to call q strike in the entire
Industry
1 Grip on Labor Loosening
i From various unions in the trade It
/ : learned that delegates for some time
have been placing the proposition Of
1 oya!ty to the Building Trades Council
4 Up to the men, but generally have been
i laughed down. The story that men in
4 Inc housewrecking business were pay
4 ing $40 q week to the council amazed
4 lie heads Of the 1877 unions in the or
4 eanzation and al delegates have been
ordered TO turn in a report Of their
4 snowledge of the matter.
The levy on the few hundred house
Sreckers appears puny In comparison
4 with the toll said TO have been exacted
I rom $4,000 laborers, members of the
3 ,nndependent Bricklayers' Helpers and
q Guiding Laborers' Union Of America.
las was the dual organization set up
a 4 opposition to the Housew wreckers
4 Chlon headed by William Zaranko be
Cause Of the latter's refusal to meet
j me councils terms. Since last fall
'Aese $4,000 men, who are individual
members of the council, have been pay
a ''g a weekly toll of 50.
Recently these men were given TO
saderstand that they would have to
give up more in view Of promises of q
:a'se IN wages which the council said
4 ! would obtain for them on January /.
8 '"'s demand many of the men refused
Il Continued page sx)