Evening star., 1920-11-19
UNIERMYER.HYLAN
LETTERS ARE READ
Counsel for Investigators in
Building "Trust" Inquiry
Defends Record.

NEW YORK, November 10 (by the
Associated Press).-Resuming its pro-
ceedings where they were left on
yesterday-at the high-water mark
Of a rhetorical clash between Mayor
Hylan and Samuel Untermyer. CHIEF
counsel for the investigators-the
joint legislative committee today re-
newed its inquiry into the workings
of the alleged building trust"
At the opening of the session Mr..
Untermyer read statement which,
he said. was calculated to wipe out
the mayors insinuation that the COM
mittee counsel had some sort Of rela-
tions with the 1nterborough Rapid
Transit Company"
The paper. which Mr. Untermyer
read refuted the mayors imputation
that Mr.. Untermyers method of ex-
was induced or Influenced by the
mayors attitude toward the Inter-
borough"
Grand Jury Action.
In this connection Mr.. Untermyer
read q letter which he said he wrote
to Mayor Hylan in August. 1919, con-
graduating Hylan on his brave and
public spirited stand against in
creased fares on the transit system" !"
ana ludl Tie SlTihc tHeu
progress had been "engineered by the
Interborough."
In this letter Mr. Untermyer also
had advocated taking over the
transit system by the city and max
ing up existing deficits through tax
alton.
The mayors reply, which he also
read, spoke in advocacy OF municipal
ownership OF buses which would per :
nit the surface lines to be torn UP
for junk"
George Atwell. head OF two demoli-
tion concerns. then resumed the stand
testifying that Robert T. Brindell. presi-
dent Of the Building Trades Council. who
is under indictment on two counts
charging extortion and attempted ex
tortion, welded the power to stop
steam shovels. engineering machinery
and other work carried on by the
building trades"
He said that no matter if twenty
trades were represented in workmen
employed on construction fob, Brin-
dell could say KNOCK or and all
the men would quit work.
He reiterated his testimony Of yes.
terday regarding payments to Brin-
dell as tribute on jobs" and also OF
sums paid to Brindell's union"
Grand Jury Action.
While the committee was hearing fur
tner testimony yesterday regarding al
legged graft payments to Brfndeu the
grand jury strengthened its indictment
of the preceding day and added an
other. charging the labor leader with
extortion.
After pleading not guilty to the
amended indictment, alleging attempted
extortion of S25, 900. and the new charge.
Brindell was granted his liberty on the
100000 bail previously furnished
Judge Mulqueen. before whom Brin-
deli was arraigned, warned the de-
fendant's counsel, Martin W. Littleton,
that the time might come when peo-
pie would demand more security" Mr.
Littleton said he hoped" there would
be sufficient time between indictments
to enable him ito go out and dig up bail
II more is needed"
Tho new indictment charged Brindell
with extortion In that he received $500
from Louis J. Cohen. housewrecker,
on July Is, in connection with a de-
molition job.
While Brindeil was busy pleading in
the criminal courts building. The fegisla-
tive committee in the city hall heard
witnesses testify to the payment Of more
than $4,000 to the labor leader for
wrecking jobs and protecting against
labor troubles.