The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-24
Investigators Ask Governor
Also to Widen Scope of
Almirall jury.
MORE GRAFT rs SHOWN
UnteImyer Asks Mayor to
.Annul School and Other
Contracts.
NEW Confession Is MADE
Legislators Will Gather Thurs
day, a Week Earlier Than
Had Been Intended.
VIEW CONFESSION Is MADE


Edward Swami from criminal investi
gaticns growing out Of the inquiry into
building trade graft and profiteering
and the Broadening of the scope OF the
Extraordinary Grand Jury headed BY
Raymond t. Almirall SO that It MAY
hear evidence in the matter were
asked OF Gov. Smith last night By
State Senator Charles C. Lockwood
chairman of the joint legislative Com
m;ttce on Housing.
simultaneously a request for the
cancellation OF millions OF dollars OF
schoolhouse and other building cor
tracts into which the city has entered
was asked OF the Mayor By Samuel
Untermyer. chief counsel to the com
mittee, who declared that the con
spirscy TO keep up prices runs not
merely through the building trades
but through many other channels upon
which the city draws for the things
necessary 10 its existence. Where car
collation. Is impossible Alr. CnterTnyer
suggested that the city contest pay
ments and hiring proceedings to com
! pei redOctlOnS or prices.
The move for elimination OF District
| Attorney Swami and the substitution
OF Attorney General Charles D. New
ton as chief prosecutor of the building
traces conspirators came in the form
of letter which Senator Lockwood
sent 10 the Governor on behalf Of the
Joint legislative committee His letter
contained the statement that although
i the committee members did not wish
TO reflect upon Mr.. Swann's integrity
or capacity as a prosecutor, thev
nevertheless believe that il world he
embarrassing for him toserve IN the
cases arising from their inquiry
why They wonld bar swann.
Although the committee offered no
public explanation OF the reason WHY
such prosecution should prove "erii-
barrassing" TO The District Attorne,.
the inference drawn In many quarters
was that the Endorsement of his candi-
dacy for Supreme Court Justice by one
OF the organizations under investigation
had something to do with II. 1t was
also noted that a man who is appearing
u
case was on committee OF lawyers
who sdorsed Judge Swann's candidacy
There is tho further fact that th-
matters which the Lockwood committe.
\ has brought 20 light within the last
week IN connection with the conspiracy
10 withhold bids on big contracts we're
repeatedly called 70 Mr. swans atten-
ton by David Hirshfield. Commissioner
OF Accounts. and by other sources. before
the state Legislature ever considered
taking action in the matter. and that II
was his failure 10 start an investiga ton
OF his own that compelled the state TO
take The matter up.
While the committees letter 10 the
Governor was being drafted, new de-
veiopments sprang Up which forced the
sudden calling OF conference between
Senator Lockwood. Samuel Cn,ermyer
counsel 20 the committee; Samuel A
Berger. Deputy Attorney General. who
10 acting as associate counsel. and 1,eoi-
ard NJ Wallstein After this confer
ence Il was announced that tho coint
mittee would be notified 70 meet Thurs-
day morning in the city Hall instead o.,
ono week from Thursday. as had been
planned. ITO take up important matter.
that had just come TO its attention"
\. Walking Delegate Is GriIIed.
II was not announced what these ial-
portant matters are, but they are be-
lieved 20 relate 90 a secret examination
in Deputy Attorney General Bergers
Office yesterday afternoon in which
walking delegate OF the Building Trades
Council was questioned at grea. length
The griiling OF this man was IN cor
nection with tho testimony already
brought out In relation TO Robert T
Brindcil. president, of the Building
Trades Council. who Is said by certain
witnesses 20 have called strikes indis-
criminately. tying UP larse contracts
and 20 have called one strike of for
cash consideration.
While this walking delegates testl
mony was kept secret. Il was learned
that he was quite reluctant 20 furnish
the Deputy Attorney General with any
Information OF Importance and that hs
disclaimed close acquaintanceshlp with
Brindeii. In doing this, however. he
chancod TO remark:
Il don't know Bob very. WELL
His ouestioners we're curious 70 know
why he referred 10 Brindell az Bob
Z IL he did not know him very well.
This man IL believed 20 have opened
certain channels for the investigators
before the session ended
Meanv hne the committee IL known e.
be looking for men who. they bello"e
are behind those already grillcd and
Mr. untermyer has announced that he
has requested tho assistance Of The
Federal Trade Commission IN the IN
vesttsation OF the Building Trust, the
schemes and operations Of which ~
believes have been nationwide.
II was said yesterday that numeroas
reports indicate that conspracics similar
, to those now alleged 20 exist in the
building trade here we're IN cvdenc
,hroughou, the country early ia the wef
and that contracts for installation ~
mitch equipment In army c., ntonmo ts
we're iugGied In the sanis niarnsr ss rs-