New-York tribune., 1920-11-23
Alleged Attempts by
Politicians to Block
Lockwood Investigation
Thwarted by Decision
Right to Issue
Subp@nas Upheld
Estimate Board Begins
Probe With Wrangle
Over Issue of Authority

Lhofts on the part of politicians.
contractors and corrupt labor leaders,
70 block the Lockwood committees
investigation of the building industry
are proving futile in the light Of YES.
terday's developments.
An action brought before Justice
iiotchEiss in Supreme Cert, desiened
to test the constitutionality of the in
vestigation and the committees powe
OF subpoena, was decided in favor of the
committee. 1t establishes the sound
legal status of the investigation snd
che power of the committee to CONNIE,
witnesses to produce required docu-
ments.
In the face Of the opposition of Sam
uel Untermyer, counsel for the Lock
wood committee. the independent in
curry into all city contracts ordered bv
the Board of Estimate and Apportion-
ment, begun yesterday, is showing
signs OF wabbling. Members of the
board yesterday adopted an extremely
conclllatory attitude toward the leeis-
'atlve inquisitors and indicated in every
way that they did not want to do anv-
thing that would in any way interfere
with the legislative committees work
O'Brien to See Untermyer
Offers of cooperation were made bv
the Mayor and Corporation Counsel
O'brien, who is conducting the city in
qulry, and the latter was instructed to
confer with Mr.. Untermyer and seek
his approval of certain Of the boards
proposed actions.
The board yesterday attempted to de-
fine its own powers of Investigation
and determine how far it could 20 in
compelling witnesses to testify and pro-
duce documents. The board was not
sure Of its ground in this respect. and
Borough President Curran expressed
the belief that the body had no powers
whatever.
Mr.. Untermyer, however, it is known.
has severed all relations With the
board. He refused to meet members of
the board who were scheduled to see
him Saturday. He also has said that
he will hold no further conferences
with its epresentatives. Mr.. Inter
myer takes the position that he has adj
vised the body as to what means it
should take to protect the city and
contractors while the Lockwood com
mittee continues with its inquiry and
that no further investigation by the
city is necessary at this time. He has
characterized the present action of the
board as nothing less than a white
washing operation and farce.
With respect to the reported pro
posed investigation Of the Hylan ad
minlstration to be sought by Governor.
elect Miller soon after he takes office
1t is known that Mr.. Untermyer is op-
posed to the present committees being
sidetracked for the purpose. He insists
that the committee be permitted tc
complete its investigation Of the hous-
ing situation, which he expects to be
about the middle of January.
Wider Scope for Work
1t is suggested that the committce's
scope could then be enlarged to include
the investigation of all city depart
ments, or another commission could be
appointed to DO the work. In any event
MIR. Untermyer plans TO go South soor
after the work of the present commit
tee is completed and will not return
until the latter part of April lie
probably will be counsel for the pro
posed investigating commission II it il
constituted at that time
In this event the school contracts
would be gone into first, as evidence.
of collusion on these bids already have
been developed in the Lockwood com.
mittee's hearings. About $4,000 ,0O(
worth of contracts are involved. in.
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