New-York tribune., 1920-11-03
Graft Evidence
For Building
Inquiry Gone
Missing Papers Needed in
Action 10 Secure Indict-
ments Against Leaders En-
gagged i'll Price Fixing
Grand Jury Acts To-day
Twenty True Bills Expected
From Facts That Will Be
Presented by Untermyer

twenty indictments arc expected 10 DC
returned will be presented to-day to
tho November grand jury by Samuel
H. Untermycr, counsel to the Joint
Legislative Committee: This commit
tee has been investigating alleged
criminal activities in the building
responsible for delay in furnishing
housing facilities in this city.
Mr.. Untermycr, Leonard M. Wall
stein and Deputy Attorney General
Berger held long conference yester-
day, at which plans wcrc laid for the
placing of this evidence before the
grand jury to-day.
The grand jury, which will take up
the housing scandal. was chosen be-
fore Justice Mulquecn in General Ses-
sions on Monday. and is headed by
Thomas NJ. Mccarthy, treasurer of the
Austin Nichols Company.
The attention of Mr.. Untermyer and
his associates was called to the al
legged disappearance of certain impor-
tant books, papers and records of a
number of building groups which have
figured in the investigations. These
documents, which are asserted to con-
tain information Of Sensational char
acter, are alleged to have been re-
moved from the state and to have been
placed beyond the jurisdiction of the
committee.
Hunt for Missing Evidence
The missing papers, it was said,
would assist materially in securing the
indictment of certain persons powerful
! y, ,iol, y IN,
price fixing.
The Lockwood Committee, it was
said, would make every effort to re-
cover these documents, as they are
badly needed in the criminal action
begun by Mr.. Untermyer. 1t IS under
stood that the committee will ask that
the United States Department of JUS
tice be assigned to the task of tracing
the documents. Among the papers are
said to be the minutes Of meetings of
certain associations in the building
trades at which matters pertaining to
price fixing were discussed.
The committee already has called
upon Special Assistant United States
Attorney Joseph Kaufman to start
Immediate action toward the recovery
Of the papers. Mr. Untermyer, when
he volunteered to serve as chief coun-
sel to the Joint Legislative Committee.
tion, that the cooperation and assist
ance Of the government be solicited
This assistance has been pledged.
Reports of internal disscnsion in thc
Building Trades Council as a result CT
recent developments IN the Legislative
probe are in circulation. The row wa5
said to have been started as a result
O the refusal of many members Of the
council to submit 20 an assessment OF
so each Tor the purpose Of creating q
defense fund. There are upward Of
10000 men in the trades council.
Many OF those who are said to be IN
revolt against the assessment are de
clared TO have the backing of their
locals.
Hearing Goes On To-Mcrrow
The Lockwood committees hearings
VIII be resumed tomorrow, at which
time there viii be called as witnesses
certain lhombers of many large trade
organizations. The men to be called
are manufacturers Of building natcri-
as used in the construction Of homes
aud apartment houses, and they Will
be questioned closely as to the methods
they employ IN arriving at the prices
at which tnev sell their materials.
These prices are alleged 10 be ar
ranged in such way that there is no
competition, either among themselves
or the Iobbers who handle their
products
The evidence to be submitted to the
grand jury to-day will relate largely TO
the combinations or agreements existing
between certain labor unions and build
ing trade employers. The charges Of
grating upon laborers, house wreckers
and other workers Will be brought to
the attention Of the jury, and members
Of John T. Hettrick's cut stone and
plumbers association Of bosses will be
viii be asked TO tell OF their operations.
Every witness will be required TO
waive immunity and those who refuse
will be excused from testifying.