New-York tribune., 1920-11-01
thousands Collected bv
Corrupt Union Leaders,
Who Permit Few Jobs
i'm City to Escape Levy
Fake Union Cards
Held by Workers
Protests byCarpentersanl
Painters Against Tactics
of Brindell Revealed

Tribute amounting to thousands of
dollars was paid to corrupt labor lead
ers on nearly all steel building con-
struction in this city during the last
year, according to information in pos
session Of the Lockwood Joint lecisla-
tive Committee.
This information is said to uncover
another source Of revenue Of union
leaders being investigated by the COM
mittee. Their operations, in coniunc-
tlon with combination of contractors.
are declared to be responsible for the
high cost of construction and the acute
housing situation
Inc ieHies in this instance appear pos
sible, because the UNION of iron and
steel workers IN this Industry is not
affiliated with the Building Trades
Council or the American Federation of
Labor. The union is known as the
II tlousesmiths' Union and is so weak
that this particular phase of the build
ing industry has been conducted under
open shop conditions.
How the System Worked
ioii' SeOtito tOiO 70 COuuScI 1Or the
committee by many builders who rrob-
ably will relate their experiences on
the stand next Thursday the system
worked somewhat as follows: the con-
tractor was permitted to get three or
four. stories of his structure up un-
molestcd. Then all the unionized work.
ers affiliated with the Building Trades
Council were called out suddenly on
strike on the ground that non-union
men, the steel and mon workers, were
employed on the job.
Weeks would pass, during which
would be carried on be-
tween the contractors and union lead
ers. 1t was said by some of these con-
tractors that in many cases the labor
leaders would demand that all the
torn down as a condition for the re-
turn of the other union workers.
This, they declared, would amount to
practically all the steal framework.
The controversy, they asserted, finally
would resolve itself into question
Of money, and after a few days Of
dickering the affair would be fixed up
by payment. Work would be re-
sumed with the same union and non
union men.
The system was worked almost in
cessanty all last year, say builders,
and the amount of money handed over
for permission to continue work is
said to have run into many the usands
# dollars. 1t was recalled similar
question arose at the time contracts
I'D for consideration before the Board
Of Aldermen.
IL this come ctiOn 1t was said that
wher the question of awarding the
50 ,372 900 limestone contract to the
Henry Hanlein firm was under dis
cussion William P. Kenneally, vice
president Of the board, asserted that
il Hanlein was given the contract he
had the promise OF Robert p Brindell
head of the Building Trades Council.
that no labor trouble would be ex
perenced over the open shop steel 70
be used in the structure. Kcnneally
is a member Of the Building Trades
Council.
Brindell Got Warning
It developed, too, that the painters
and carpenters of the city are up in
arms over Brindells methods of in
duc.inr so-called carpenters into the
Dock Builders Union and the forma-
ton O. what tney term an outlaw paint
ers union in an alleged effort to dis
rupt the regular organizations III Vheoe
two industries.
In connection with the outlaw paint
ers' union, John Donlin, head of the
building trades department of the
American Federation of Labor, has
written a letter to Brindell in which
he declares that his action is in direct
violation of the A. +. of l.. rules and
that if the new union was not disbanded
the A. +. Of l.. charter of the Bui-dlng
Trades Corncl would be revoked.
The Brotherhood Of Painters, Deco
rators and Paperhangers of America
District Council No. 9, yesterday made
public circular which they had sent to
all workers in the building trades in
dustry protesting against Brindells al
:eged efforts to disrupt their organiza-
ton because thcv would not join his
council. In THIS circular the brother
hood says:
"1f Brindell does not unseat the
fake painters union. The New York
Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers'
Continued paue four)