New-York tribune., 1920-10-30
Jos. Kaufman Designat-
ed to Prosecute Under
Trust and Lever Laws
if Combine Is Shown
Untermyer to Ask
For indictments
Empowered to Proceed
Before Grand Jury as
Special Aid to Swami

The Federal authorities took hand
in the investigation Of the alleged
building material combine yesterday,
when Attorney General Palmer ap-
pointed Joseph Kaufman. local
lawyer, as a special United States Gt-
torney to cooperate in the inquiry
being conducted by the Lockwood joint
legislative committee.
The appointment was made at the
request of United States Attorney
Cafey to consider any evidence point
Ing to violations of antitrust laws in
tie building industry.
At the same time it WAS learned IT, at
Samuel Untermyer, counsel for the
Lockwood committee. has received his
designation as special assistant to Dis
trict Attorney Swami to enable him to
conduct the criminal prosecutions sri.-
ing out of the inquiry He will have
as aids Samuel A. Berger, Deputy At
torney General, and Stanley Richter,
a former assistant district attorney,
Jury Gets Cases Monday
1t was intimated that Mr.. Inter
myer Will 90 before the regular grand
jury on Monday with presentments of
evidence on the basis of which two or
three indictments are expected The
charges probably will involve extortion,
perjury, violation of the Donnelly act,
refusal to answer the committees ques-
tons and destruction Of evidence in an
attempt to interfere with the due and
orderly process of law. The refusal to
answer questions constitutes misde-
meanor. The other charges are felon-
les.
Kaufman has Offices at 115 Broad
way. He has much experience in real
estate and building matters. 1t was
announced in Washington that informa-
tion gathered at the United States At
torney's Office in this ci.y ha disclosed
evidence which pointed to combinations
IN violation of the Sherman law. Kauf-
mann had been instructed to prepare
any cases that warrant Federal prose
cution.
"This Office" said United States At
torney Cahey yesterday, "is giving
every cooperation possible to ,he JOINT
legislative committee conducting the
state inquiry. We are turning over to
the committee all evidence and infor-
nation we get and the committee is in
turn giving us It's facts
Ne are getting stenographic reports
OF testimony, which is nnlng gone aver
tthorough!ly. If any violation Of the
federai laws develops, We will prose
cute to the fullest extent Of the law" "
Mr.. Caffey added mat Department of
justice agents were cooperating in
gathering evidence
Conference Lasts All Day
MIR. untermyer was in conference
with his associates all day Yesterday
preparing the evidence which is ex-
pected to be presented to the grand
jury Monday. While there have been
but two sessions Of the committee so
farr. Senator Lockwood. its chairman,
believes that sufficient facts have been
gathered to warrant action. Objection
TO action on Monday has been raise d
because the next day, Tuesday, is Elec
tion Day.
Whatever is decided upon, it is
known that the committee plans some
action before the hearing next Thurs
day. There We're intimations that the
witnesses scheduled to appear will tell
even more sensational stories than
those heard at previous sessions.
The latest developments in the in
quiry tend to show that certain CON
tractors involved in the inquiry had
business relations with the CITY ad-
ministration, the exact nature of which
never has been cleared rr 1t de-
velops that George J. A.well, who heads
wrecking firm favored by Robert p
Brindell. according to witnesses, is also
the head of a company which did the
trucking for the Department of Mar
(CentinLod on paoe nIne)