The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-17

&C. 1919. set forth that Mr. Drew re-
ported having seen Mr. Gary. MIR. Grace
and Mr.. Farrell, and that the three
stated they were against unionizing of
shops. The witness did not know who
Mr.. Gary was, nor did he know about
the subject of the minutes. Mr. Chene y
could not recall whether the rate OF
wages was fixed after the American
\ Bridge Company had decided on a
| figure.
And you think it is right that the
employers should get together in an in
dustry and act together to fix prices on
labor. on everyone in that industry. but
that the men who work should not be
permitted TO get together?"
II think it is right under these cir
cumstances?"
The witness was questioned regard
ing the Iron League and It's operation.
but gave the committee no new infor-
nation.
! Mr. Foster, the steel industry's chief
detective, was a stubborn and defian.
witness. After the witness had refused
to answer few questions. Mr.. Inter
myer shot out this one:
Were you ever in jail?"
| Foster said he had been In trouble
once In the Philippines and he branded
as false and malicious record read
named Foster had had a wild career
The witness said he was a private de-
tective with the Erectors Association
and several times was reprimanded for
not being civil In his answers. He said
he had hundreds of reports from his
operators" working In shops and union
labor ranks regarding the union status
of iron workers. but he refused to pro-
] duce the records.
81 refuse to give you those conf
Dental reports. 1t might endanger the
lives of my men," Foster said. Like
wise he refused to say to whom he
made the reports. Foster became very
angry when Mr.. Untermyer asked him
many questions concerning his alleged
dlshonorable discharge from the army
and various escapades.
Wide Scope of Espionage shown.
| "You can't blackmail me into testify
| ing the way you want me to- the wit
ness shouted. Foster was quite dramatic
! at times In his determination to protect
his men and those for whom he worked.
| After long questioning. II was disclosed
that under the espionage system oper-
ated. men were posted In steel plants IL
steel centres throughout the country
and in union quarters to spy on work.
| efS ana report any wiz ldiheu uiiioLisAi
or who might be identified secretly with
| a union.
Upon his repeated refusal to produce
his reports or to disclose to whom and
for whom he made the reports Mr.. I'm
| ternyer said to Foster:
1T Is only fair to tell you that unless
you purge yourself OF this contempt we
propose Immediately to present your
contumacy to the Grand Jury and ask
| for an Indictment"
That's all right" the witness said
VERY well, goodby until we meet
again." Mr.. Untermyer said. and Foster
left the stand laughing. The witness
was declared in contempt twice
Mr.. Hatfield denied any knowledge of
| the policy of the steel interests In refus-
| ing to sell fabricated steel to be erected
| by union labor, but admitted that his
| firm did no steel erecting in New York
| but gave all its work to the firm of Post
& McCord. He denied there was any
agreement with Post & McCord.
Three officials OF the Bricklayers, Ma
sons and Plasterers' International Union
of America who arrived yesterday from
Indianapolis appeared voluntarily as
witnesses and asked permission to deny
testimony given last week by William X.
Fertg. secretary OF the Marble Industry
titled that he had given sums aggregat-
ing $4,000 to the three union executives
for Expenses and information" The
three are William j. Bowen, president
of the union; Thomas r. Preece, first