New-York tribune., 1920-10-24
Hearings To Be Resumed
Thursday, Instead of
Nov. 4, to Investigate
Charges of Extortion
Labor Delegate
Accuses Leaders
Smith Asked to Extend
Almirall Jury Power;
School Jobs Involved

Developments in the Lockwood joint
Legislative committees investigation of
the alleged building material trust came
so rapidly yesterday that the next ses-
sion of the committee has been pushed
forward from November 4 to next
Thursday.
This action was taken in the light of
new evidence and startling disclosures
made to Samuel>>A. Berger, Assistant
Attorney GENERALLY by many witnesses
whom he had secretly erilled in his
office at 81 Chambers Street all during
the day. One Of these witnesses is
known to be a walking delegate of the
building Trades Council, headed by
Robert P. Brindell. His admissions
certain labor leaders are declared by
Mr.. Berger to be so important that the
committee thought it best not to delay.
On the heels Of this announcement
came the details Of the letter sent to
Governor Smith by Chairman Lock
wood requesting the appointment of
Attorney General Charles b. Newton
rs special prosecutor to conduct any
criminal proceedings arising out of the
inquiry. Senator Lockwood asks the
Governor to enlarge the powers of the
Almirall extraordinary grand jury so
as to include within it's jurisdiction
the present investigation. He says
that the selection of an entirely new
panel would entail a loss of valuable
time.
Brindell 1ndorses Swami
The committee adds that "there arc
reasons why it would be embarrassing
to ask District Attorney Swami to as
sumo jurisdiction of this subject" In
this connection it is recalled that Brin-
dell, who figures in an alleged $25 900
eXtortlon deal brought out in testimony
before the committee, has been active
IN indorsing Swann's candidacy for
Supreme Court judgcship
Samuel Untermyer. counsel for the
Lockwood committee, also wrote a let
ter 10 Mayor Hylan congratulating him
on obtaining the cancellation of the
proposed courthouse contracts result
pg from alleged colusivc bids. lie
suggested that contracts for all other
city improvemen of whatever nature
also be rescinded or payments con-
tested on the ground that the law was
violated by the pretense Of independent
bidding. The condition, he says. has
been found to exist in almost every
department of industry with which the
city has any business relations. The
cancellation of contracts totalling mill
ions of dollars is looked for.
Commissioner of Accounts Hirshfeld
has begun an investigation of the con-
structon of school buildings for the
city, and declares he has in hand suf-
hclcnt evidence to convict several con-
tractors guilty of frauds.
Federal Board Asked to Act
bo Of tEo
mission i'll the investigation has been
asked by Mr.. Untcrmyer because
he said, some of the combina-
tions transcend state lines. With
the ramitications OF the inquiry
taking broader scope every minute,
Attorney General Palmer has promised
the Lockwood committee the assistance
of the Department of Justice in follow
ing out its leads. He has written a
letter to Mr. Untermyer, saying that
the United States District Attorney IN
this city has been instructed to aid the
committee with such information on the
subject as he has in his possession and
to cooperate generally.
Chairman Lockwood's letter to the
Governor follows:
"Hon. Alfred +. Smith,
Executive Chamber,
Albany, n. Y.
"My dear Sir:
"On Monday last the Attorney Cen
eral, at the request of the senior coun-
sci for the committee, applied to you
to enlarge the power of the eXtrarodi
nary grand jury that is now in session
in the city of New York so as 10 in
clude within its jurisdiction ,he in
vestigaton of and action upon otfenses
that counsel had reason to believe
would b. developed during the inquiry
of the joint Legislative committee on
housing You then stated to the At
torney General that you would take
the application under advisemcnt and
we are now writing in view of develop
ments since that application was made
to urge immediate action on your part.
"Although the committee has been
only two days in session and the pres
cntation of the testimony in its pos
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