Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-29
'U.S. TAKES ACTION
INCLUDING INQUIRY
Special Assistant District At
torney in New York Is
Named by Palmer.

H Appointment of Joseph Kaufman OF
New York city as special assistant
to the United States district attorney
there to investigate the prices OF
building materials in the metropolis
was announced today by Attorney
General Palmer.
! Mr. Kaufman has been instructed
to cooperate with the New York
state legislative committee which is
conducting similar investigation.
the charge being that combinations in
restraint of trade have been formed
On this point statement from the
Attorney General today said informa-
ton thus far gathered by the depart
ment had not disclosed a. violation
of the federal statutes. but more
detailed consideration of the evidence
was desired.
/ Well Equipped for Work.
NEW YORK. October % (by the
Associated Press).-United States Dis
trict Attorney Caffey said today that
the appointment of Joseph Kaufman
as his special assistant. to aid in the
building trust" investigation here.
had been made at his request by At
torney General Palmer.
Mr.. Caffey said that Mr.. Kaufman.
we'll known New York lawyer, who
had had considerable experience with
building material contracts and real
cSldtc, vas especially lOI
the work"
This office is giving every coop
Grafton possible to the joint legisla-
tive committee conducting the state
inquiry" said Mr.. Caffey. I'VE are
turning over to the committee all evil
dence we get. and the committee is.
in turn. giving us their facts We
are getting stenographic copies of
testimony, which is being gone over
thoroughly.
ia
laws develop. we are going to prose-
cute to the fullest extent of the law
The federal attorney said that
agents of the Department of Justice
were cooperating in the gathering
of evidence.
Building Men Testify.
/ After another day of sensational testi-
Investigating the building trust" has
Iadjourned until next Thursday morning
November f.
Because he had refused to produce
$4,000 for Brindell. Jacob Fradus
a general contractor. testified he had
been "bankruptcd and put out of
business" by the labor leader to
whom he declared he had paid $1,000
for job.
Charles H. Wallas. house wrecking
contractor, testified that his 100000
annual business had "dwindled down
to 800 jobs" because he had refused
to hire "Brindell's men,"
! Papers Destroyed.
Arthur Greenfield. president of the
Employing Metallic, Furring and
Lathing Association, testified that the
members of the association at meet
ing last Monday bestowed papers
that might incriminate" them in this
investigation. including the minutes
of a meeting held April rs. at which
price fixing is alleged to have been
discussed.
Testimony was given that a group
Of metallic lathing contra ctors. bid
ding on school contracts for the city
of New York. had formed a combine
to get better prices" and stifie COM
petitive bidding.
James E. Trainor, metal lath con-
tractor, testified that the Employing
Metallic. Furring and Lathing- ASso-
citation had hired and paid Mr.. MUIR
ply. president of the Lathers' Union
a salary of $55 a week, but did not
know what 'he was expected to do
The only witness from the Building
Trades Council placed on the stand
was Roswell D. Tompkins. secretary
treasurer, who was questioned as to
the disposal of money collected by
the organization. He. was unable to
explain what became of $115,0o0 paid
reau's fund. He was excused and
will be recalled later.
~ Urged to Stand Together.
Greenfield created a sensation when
he testified employers had held their
meeting at the request of John Tag
CART, business agent for the fathers
union. and that it had been addressed
by Mr.. Kelly" of the Building
Trades Employers Association, who
had told them ito stand pat and stand
together" If called into the investiga-
ton.
Mr.. Untermyer, in announcing the
adjournment of the committee, said
he did not think it fair to hold
further sessions until after election.
as number of the committeeman
were running for reelection" He
said the time also was needed to ex-
anime the "yaSt volume Of ay;doroo