Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-10-22
$25,0 900 Paid To
Settle Strike Testimony
in Building Trust Probe


New York. Oct. 21-Testtmeny
taken at today's hearings Of the
legislative committee inyestigatine
the building trust relative to the
payment Of $25.0 900 by Ephriam B.
Levy, real estate owner and builder,
to have a strike settled on one Of his
building projects. will be submitted
to the proper prosecuting authort-
ties for immediate action"
This announcement was made to-
night by Senator Lockwood, chair
man of the committee. At the close
, of the afternoon session. -s.-s 1850
Mr.. Levy in testifying before the
committee, declared he had paid the
$500 to his associate in the con-
struction work, George Baker, one
Of the largest building contractors IN
New York. who said he wanted to
pay it to Mr.. Brindell and. l think.
the committee"
The Mr.. Brindell referred to, EVIL
dence divulged, was Robert p. Brin-
dell, president of the Building
Trades Council of New York City,
and one Of the highest paid labor
leaders In the country.
Mr.. Baker, however, upon the wit
ness stand denied he had paid the
money to Brindell, but declared he
had paid 1t to two strangers whom
he believed to be walking dele
gates
He said the money was paid in two
instalments-$15. 900 at one time apd
the remainder a few days later-xhd
the strike had been called of. Both
transactions took place in the lobby
of the. Hotel Chatam last May.
While admitting that Brindell was
a friend of his, Mr.. Baker declared
the labor leader had had no part in
the $4,000 transaction and that his
name had not been brought into the
deal.
John O'Connor, counsel for Mr..
Brindell. appeared before the COM
mittee protested against thes testi-
mony given by Mr.. Levy. He asked
that the hearing be adjourned until
Mr.. Brindell can come here" His OBJ
lection was over-ruled, but he was
informed that the labor leader would
be given an opportunity to appear be-
fore the committee early tomorrow to
defend himself.
Mr.. O'Connor later issued a state
ment declaring Il do not think any
of the testimony il dangerous enough
to need q denial. If we should decide
to appear here, we will be here to-
| morrow" a9't
Referring to the committees spfo-
:; ceedings, Mr.. O'Conner said it has
developed into an attack by certain
I interests on organized labor; this is
obvious from every question asked.
There is no other purpose in view ex-
cept to 'discredit leaders of organized
laaor, and by this disorsanize and re.
ducee wages paid labor and thus re-
duce the cost Of building: This pro-
paganda is deep seated and nation
/ wide"
Mr.. Levy's disclosure came at the
: opening of the afternoon session when
| he said he had made similar state
ments at the attorney generals ONCE
several days ago
The witness said the building under
construction involved several million
dollars and when the strike was call
ed, although he was Paying union
wages and keeping union hours" ne
was anxious to get the men back to
work. He said that when Mr.. Baker
Uniformed me that he might be able
to arrange it to get the men to work
, ing" he produced the money.
| Two checks, one for $4,000 and one
| for SIC. 600. drawn by Mr.. Levy from
the bank, were offered in evidence.
samuel Untermyer, counsel for the
| committee, asked the witness why
he had not made this disclosure OF
his Gown free will' and II his ouiio-
ing operations would be held up by
his testimony? !.
II cannot answer that" replied
Mr.. Levy.
Mr. Baker declared he was asso-
eiated with Mr.. Levy in completing
the building and was interested in
ending the strike.
"And you will admit that you got
So5. 600 in bills?" asked Mr.. sUnter-
myer.
II cot it," Mr.. Baker replied. 1.-THE
first $4,000 in thousand dollar bills
and the other in smaller and dirtier
money"
When asked as to his disposal OF
the first $4,000 Mr.. Baker testihed
he had taken it to the race track
and lost it, but later the witness ad-
United that he had given it to Two
Strangers in the lobby Of the Chat
| ham hotel In New York with whom
he had been negotiating for several
DAYS to have the strike called on.
Under cross examination Baker
declared he did not know fhe names
of the strangers" to whom he had
paid the money. and he didn't care
1 to know them. They might have
been a couple of burglars or may
be worse than that" he said.
During his cross examination Mr..
Baker revealed that the "strangers'
had originally asked 10000 to settle
the strike. This, figure, he said.
after several days negotiations, had
been reduced to $4,000 and finally
to $4,000. the amount which was
paid.
| With the Children.
Gene Stratton Porter, age two ana
one half, daughter of DR.. E. A. Por-
ter. Hartsville, Ind, has dimculty
onainr nroper words to express her