The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-30
Tammany Men Said to Be
Connected With the
Brindell Ring.
u. S. NOW INTERVIEWS
Federal Action Arouses
Fear of Serious MiXup
in Investigation.
IMMUNITY PLEAS MADE
Untermyer Appointed Assist
ant District Attorney-In-
dictments Expected Soon.
IMMUNITY PLEAS MADE

Samuel Untermyer, counsel for the
Lockwood Housing Committee, was
appointed yesterday an Assistant Dis
trict Attorney, and authority was
given to him to go before the Novem-
Der Grand Jury, which meets Monday,
to present evidence gathered in the in
vestisation OF the building graft ring
as a basis for indictments. 1t is not
improbable that several men promi-
nent in the scandal will be indicted be-
fore the committee resumes it's hear
ings next Thursday.
The investigation will not lag for
moment while the prosecution is being
pressed. With the designation OF Mr.
Untermyer to handle the criminal end
there came an appointment for Leon
nrd Walstein. associate counsel. as
special Deputy Attorney General. to
cooperate with Attorney General New
ton and his staff in running down the
grafters.
Following the action OF the United
States Government in projecting itself
into the housing inquiry yesterday at
the request Of United States Attorney
Caffey. the State investigators even
fastened their efforts to complete
their case against those named as the
master minds in the game of extorting
great sums from capital and labor in
the building industry.
Federal Action Not Relished.
The action of the Federal Government
evidently did not arouse much enthu-
siasm here. Some question the reasons
for the Federal officials trying TO squeeze
into the case when their invitations to
assist have been declined. The two ring
Investigations might easily run at cross
purposes, II is said. The Federal Gov.
ernment. entering the field at such n
late date might mix up the case. II ls
declared. and give immunity 20 some
men whom the State might wish later
TO question. While there is no indication
OF friction, the double headed inquiry is
not regarded with favor in certain quar-
ters
Pressing hard on the trails leading
out of the hearings held on Wednesday
and Thursday. when amazing revela-
tons piled no hour after hour tho Lock
wood committees investigators were
after several men who are known to be
frightened badly Offers Of information
II immunity is granted are coming to
the committee. and all are being re.
jected.
The disclosures bring more and more
10 the front the indication that big poll
ticians are involved. They may be
reached before the investigation goes
much further. Tammany men are said
TO be connected. but just how remains
10 be developed.
Northern Wreckfng Company.
The remarkable activities OF the
Northern Wrecking Company will come
in for attention at an early date. This
concern has been mentioned many times
in the hearings. There are I'm the rec
ords OF the committee receipts given by
agents OF the Northern wrecklng Com
pany TO workmen from whose pay ems
velopes money was extracted for various
fees demanded BY the Building Trades
Council. OF which Robert +. Brindell. the
Labor King" is president II may be
developed later why the Northern
wrecking Company was collecting for
the Brindell council.
George J. Atweil is president OF the
Northern Wrecklng Company and like
wise OF the Northeastern Supply Com
pany. concern which received large
sum from the city last autumn for
trucking army food for the Department
OF Markets. Atwell was named promi-
nently in the city's investigation which
followed the explosion In the Market
Department. He Is reputed to have be-
come wealthy in recent years and is
known in Democratic circels as power
ful. lie Is a member OF the National
Democratic Club.
Startling MS has been the testimony
concerning Brlndell's almost Incredible
rise 60 a position OF supreme authority
in the building industry It IL understood
that the stories already told are mild
compared to some that are coming later
BrindcIi's Amazing Position.
other reasons than those 80 far re-
vealed on the witness stand are said to
have contributed to Brndelrs COM
mandlng position by which he broke
wealthy contractors, drove into bank
ruptcy big concerns made corporations
like the Fuller and Starrctt companies
bow the knee to him and held together
n system which exacted tribute from
tens OF thousands OF men forced into
unions and against all the pressure the
American Federation of Labor could
bring TO bear The story OF Brindell
stands out as one OF the most amazing
In the whole annals OF modern industry
while Mr. Untermyer was not at lib
erty 10 indicate in any way what action
he will take when he goes before the
Grand Jury Monday. his relation to the
fury being entirely in q confidential
capacity. st was assumed by those who
have sat through the hearings and
tuned the facts unfolded that he was
IN a position 70 request indictments on
four or Ave counts
These would include the evidence deal-
ne with cxtorton. with pcrju~y, with
coptinucd on Seventh Pare.