New-York tribune., 1920-12-04
Bribe Paid to
Brintlell's Kin.
Backer Swears
Millionaire Builder Takes
Stand in Own Defense
and Says Brother of
Labor Gar Got So. 900
Another Man With Hin,
Defendant in Perjury Case
Tells "f Rise to Wealth
After % Years in L.. $.

- 1 -
Testifyng in his own behalf in Cen
eral Sessions before Judge Rosalsky
yesterday, George s. Racker, million
aire builder: declared tnat one OF the
two men 20 whom he paid the $25, 600
alleged bride was "Matt" Brindell.
brother OF Robert P. Brindell, alleged
dictator Of the building industry.
When Backer mad withdrawn his
story about losing the $4,000 at the
races he told the Lockwood legislative
committee that he paid the money TO
two men whom he designated as Mutt
and JEFF" saying that he did not know
their names. lie was consequently in
dicted by the grand jury for perjury.
Yesterday for the first time Matt"
Brindel WAS mentioned as one Of the
men who received the money.
Under examination by his attorney,
Edmund L. Mooney, the defendant had
been proceeding smoothly explaining
his testimony before the Lockwood
committee, whom suddenly a few min
utes before adjournment Mr.. Mooney
asked Backer whether he had learned
who one Of the men was who received
the $4,000.
Matt" Brindell Named
Yes, said Backer, quietly, flush
spreading over his face
"Who was it?" demanded the at
! torney.
"'Matt' Brindci."
Then, steered by the questions of
Mr. Mooney. the defendant told tale
Of meeting George Atwell, Long
Island building contractor. on day
between the time Bacher was examined
! by Mr.. Untermyer before the Lock
wood committee and his subsequent in
dictment.
According TO Saceer the Long Island
builder suggested that they 90 to his
( yard as they might meet Brindcll
there.' a taXlcab was laken by the
pair, and when they reached Atwcll' s.
yard Brindell and another man were
there waiting for them.
Greetings were exchanged and
Backer said he Cooked twice" at
Brindell's companion. What transpircd
between Backer and Brndell was not
testified 20 by Backer. but his story
jumped to Brindcl's car. "a seven pas
senger inclosed sedan" IN which At
we'll and Bacher sat in the rear while
| Brindell and his companion sat in
front
The four proceeded in the car to the
Grand Central Terminal. when Backer
and Atwell left the machine and pro-
ceded TO the Hotel Chatham Wander
bilt Avenue and Forty-eighth Street,
where over cups of coffee Backcr said
he asked Atwell who Brindeli's com
| panion was.
"Why. that's Brindel's brother
Matt Brindell,' said Atwell, according
to Backer.
"And chat was the first time you
knew who the man wasr" asked Mr.
Mooney.
Backer's reply was in the Affirmative,
and in answer to additional questions
he said that he did not at that time
tell Atwel Of what Significance that in
formation was to him.
His Rise to Millionaire
In the preceding examination of
Backer by hi counsel he told Of arrv-
ing in This r untry twenty-nine years
ago with $3.50 in his pockets He en-
gagged in many occupations, from sell
! ing newspapers at the Worlds Fair in
Chicago and conducting restaurant in
that city to Sailing before the mast"
on an English vessel. Then he entered
the real estate business and is now
worth several millions.
Throughout Backer's examination
Mr.. Mooney stressed tho fact that his
clients English was sef-acouired
Backer speaks with pronounced ac-
cent. Mr.. MONEYS inference was tha'
because of this inadequate knowledge
Of English the defendant misunder-
stood Mr.. Untermyer's questions at the
proceedings OF the Lockwood committee
and he had Backer say in answer TO a
question that the latter had apologized
to Mr.. Untermver twice while on the
stand, intending this apology as re-
cantation of certain preceding parts Of
his testimony as to what became of
the s25,0OO
The first witness called by the de-
fense yesterday was Robert T. Brooks,
president Of the George A. just Struc-
tural Steel Company Brooks testified
that he received the contract to do the
iron work on Ephraim B. Levy's build
ing, at Seventh Avenue and Thirty-trst
Street which Backer was constructing
for Levy. II Was tn, latter's $25, 900
that Backer is said to have paid to the
brindeN group TO stop strike that had
been called
Before the money was paid. according
to Brooks, he had a converse. ion with
Backer, In the latter's Office early in
May of this year. Backer was in an ex-
citable condition.
Backer said to him, Brooks tastilied :
Brooks, those fellows want $25 900 to
let that job go on. It's dirty business.
You've known me all these years and
know I've never been mixed ND in 4
mess like this. have q good mind to
back down right now. 1t sure is i
dirty practice"
Character witnesses who testified az
to Backcr's honesty and good yeuuta-
ton throughout the day were Walter
Stabler, comptroller of the Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company; Lawrence T.
Mcclure. rca! estate man and State
Boxing Commissioner; Monroe Douglas
ROBINSON, Charles r. Fleishman. a
banker; Charles Wetmore, an architect
and Walter f. Bolknap, of the Bankers
Trust Company
The trial will continue Monday morn
ing '''D- -