The New York herald., 1920-12-03
INDICT 5 FOR GRAFT,
BRINDELL is BAILED
Grand Jurors Findings Kept
Secret Until Defendants Can
Be Arrested.
g1aaHr ON $4,000 BRIBE
Witness Tells of Baekers
Relations With Building
Trade Unions Gear.

While testimony OF startling nature
was being introduced yesterday In the
trial OF George Backer, builder, who is
accused OF perjury before the Lockwood
Legislative Committee on Housing, addi-
tional indictments were filed against
Robert p, Brindell, president of the
Building Trades Council. and other per-
soma intimately connected with the build
ing trades situation.
Much secrecy attended the presenta-
ton Of these charges because IL was
necessary to issue bench warrants for
certain of the indicted persons, and the
prosecutors did not want them to have
advance notice OF their predicament. 1t
lvas stated, however, that this secrecy
probably would be thrown aside this
morning. when it is believed the de-
PENDANTS will be presented in court. 1t
was reported that there are four de-
PENDANTS named.
Hrindell who was noxlued by tele-
phone, appeared at the Criminal Courts
Building in the evening with his attor-
ney, Martin W. Littleton, and was ar
Judge Mulqueen of General Sessions. who
continued him in the 100000 bail fur
nished last month after Brindell had
been arrested on three other indictments
charging extortion and attempted extor-
ton, The nature Of the fresh charge
against Brindell was not disclosed.
The indictments were filed by the No
vember additional Grand Jury, which, to-
gether with the new Extraordinary
nd T,,-xt ic <ipaa
sively to the investigation of evidence of
conspiracy and corruption in connection
with the building trades situation here
as these matters are uncovered by the
legislative committee.
New story About Drinden.
Tho most important feature In the
trial Of Backer was the calling to the
witness stand of Samuel 8. Jones of 473
West 15Sth street, an excavating con-
tractor who has worked on some Of the
biggest Jobs in the city in the last few
years. He told a new story of Brindells 8
doings and admitted that he had sug-
gosted to Backer that he bribe Brindell
to cAu on strike on O building In
which he was interested because he
knew of only two things to do when
men stopped work. and 1t seemed as if
yone me would have to be seen."
Edmund l.. Mooney. chief counsel for
Brtndell, also sprang a surprise. in open
ING his defence when he told the jury
thai Backer would take the witness
stand and wouli reveal the identity of
one Of the two men to whom he paid
s1G,oee, which Is alleged to have been
orihe money for Brindell.
He said that since the day when
Baeker testified before the Lockwood
committee he had paid this $4,000 to
two strange men he had been searching
Tor those men and that his efforts had
been rewarded by the discovery of one.
although he is still in the dark regard
ing the identity Of the other.
Mr.. Jones was the first witness called
for the defence after Judge Rosalsky,
who presided. had denied motions to dis
miss made upon the ending of the peo-
ple's case. The arst question fred at
him by Mr.. Mooney was: Are you
right hand man Of Robert p. Brindell?"
II was answered In the negative.
INTRODUCES Backer to BrfndeII.
Mr. Mooney then asked him II ne had
introduced Backer to Brindell. to which
Jones replied that he had done 80 on
April IL, 1920. When he spoke Of Brin-
delrs organization. the Building Trades
Council, Mr.. Mooney asked II II was
known by any other names.
1T is known as 'Brindell's organiza-
ton or as 'Brindell.'" replied the wit
ness Then. speaking further Of this or
sAnisation. he said. 1T had been getting
powerful all along. but Brindell was not
the absolute boss OF the situation until
oils year."
This caused Judge Rosais,y % ask !:
rs he the absolute boss nowr
well. he was until this investiga ton
started" replied Jones, He then related
hew work had been stopped on a build
tng on which he was interested, and how
he had called upon Brindsll on April IL.
shs day on which the strike had been
called. and had been informed that
nackcr, who was also working on the
building. was In wrong Brindell had
stopped work on this Job because another
man on another Job In which Backer
was Interested was using non-unIon ma
terials for part of his work. This other
Job was the s2,00o00o building of
Tphraim Levy on Seventh avenue be-
tween Thirtieth and Thirty-first streets
"Brindell said. i will leave that work
there till II rots. Just to make an ex-
ample OF them" testified Jones.
He stated that at Brindells suggestion
he took Backer to see the czar OF the
building trades the next day, and that
Backer explained he was not responsible
for Levy's doings, and was only to re-
csfve commission of $4,000 for his
part IN the erection Of the building.
Brindell "Had TO he shown"
"Brindell is the kind of a man who
wants to be shown things" he said, so
he wanted to see Backer's contract with
Levy. After he had seen II he said that
the strike would continue on the building
IN which Levy was interested. but that
he would call It off on Backer's other
projects"
As further proof that Bacixer was not
q friend of Brindeil's and that he had
no object in trying to shield him Will.
testifying before the Lockwood commit
tee Mr.. Mooney questioned Jones about
. Tight" between Backer and Brindell
over another building operation last
August. On that occasion, Jones said,
Hrindell did not want Backer 70 have
some material from building that was
being torn down. and they used profane
and abusive language at each other.
The witness testified that he FIRST sug-
gested 20 Backer that Brindeii might be
AFTER bribe money while they were rid
Ing IN Backer's automobile. "Backer
aid. 4 never paid a dirty dollar TO any
one IN my life." Jones testified. "and
I said. neither have I. but have heard
q lot OF things around In the busi-
ness'"
This conversation was the subject OF
much questioning by Mr.. Mooney. Emory
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