South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-11-19
new YORK FIRST TO BE
RAISED; INDIANA LINES
APPEAL TO COMMISSION
BRINDELL HELD
BY GRAND JURY
ON TWO COUNTS
Witnesses Name Big Bribes
Given Leader of Build
ing Trust.

NEW YORK, Nov. lS.-Two in
dictments returned Thursday by the
additional grand jury on evidence
furnished at the Joint legislati,
committees investigation OF the
building trust" were both directed
against Robert p. Brindell, president
Of the building trades council one
charged him with eNtorti1s $500
from Louis ]. Cohen, a contractor.
The other was a supersedins indict-
ment to correct an error i'm the first
charge OF attempted eXtoryion OF
$25, upon which Brindell was
held yesterday in 100000 bail
Brinden pleaded not guilty 90 both
charges when arraigned. His bail
was not increased.
Judge Mulqueen. before whom
Brindel was arraignod. warned the
defendants counsel. Martin w
Littleton, that the time might come
when people would demand more
security" Mr.. Littleton said pc
hoped there would be sufficient
time between indictments TO enable
him Ito go out and dig mp bail If
ment charged Brindell with eXtOr-
Louis j. Cohen, a house wrecker, on
July IS, in connection with Il de-
mClitiOn job.
Paid Him $4,000.
While Brindcl was busy pleading
in the criminal courts building the
legislative committee i'm the city hall
heard witnesses testify 10 the pay
ment of more than $4,000 to the
labor leader for wrecking jobs and
protection against labor troubles.
OF these witnesses, Albert HRS
kowitz headed the list, having de-
clared he paid $4,000 10 Brindell
to prevent a "rumored strike" Then
came George Atwell. one of the city's
largest demolition contractors, who
said ne had paid SI.,120 sfor jobs
and protection.
Nieman KlCmpOss. a house wreck
er. testified 10 giving Brindell $1,000
Tor getting M men" AMI arranged
for protection for trouble of Frank
Milton. another contractor, which,
ne said. cost $500. He said ne
also paid 5000 for privilege cards"
inOrder that his men could work.
Later, KlompOss added, he gave
81 600 TO a partner, r. Siegel, 10 5c
given BrindeH TO prevent interup-
tion of work.
Joseph II. Goldblatt, building and
sheet metal contractor. testified he
paid 1900 TO Brindelrs agents ai
the request of the labor leader %
have a strike called eff on an alter
( atom job.
Police With Is"
When he said ne threatened 10
tight the Brindell men, Goldblatt
declared Mr.. Pike. a walking dele
, gate. said.
Go as far as YOU like, we have
got all the protection we want. We
have got the district attorney and
police force with MS.
why. my dear boy" ne said. CON
tinued Goldblatt your amount IS
so small il cannot be seen Wha,
are you barking about he says
we have about 80 on the list rang
ing from $40, 900 20 $4,000 and no.
/ body makes a howl like you did
TO give up. We are sorry we ever
/ tackled YOU
ON the witness stand AtweI. who
admitted he had done "Iots OF po-
I litical work" testified at length 90
activities Of BrindeU, which he de-
clared had been characterized by
1 Otto EidlitZ. one Of the Citys laTg-
est builders as wonderful work In
stabilizing the business"
Brindel's source Of power At
well. said. was in the Building
Trades Employers association and
declared taht the labor leader was
in absolute control Of all work and
had awarded jobs and fixed prices.
This manipulation and COrrup-
ton added tremendously 70 the cost
of building he said.
The labor chief. the witness con-
I 9 d j.
old experienced house Wreckers and
hire inexperienced men who came
on the job and said the work was
too dirty and made seats for them
selves and sat down 10 do the work..
Got job Half Price.
In one instance Wncn he offered 10
pay $4,000 10 wreck a building for
salvage, AtweIl said BrindeH told
him he could get him the Job br
paying only $4,000. He said he took
the job and gave the labor leader
the other $4,000. Several similar
incidents were cited boy the witness
who said he gave the labor caie-
$13,5G0 Tor four jobs. and $3.50
for initiation fees for wOrkmen.
Atweu declared the money was
paid in five checks made Out per
sOnally TO Brindell and endorsed by
him. Three OF the checks BEARING
Brndells endorsement, De said. he
had DESTROYED. The other checks
are in the hands OF the committee.
The hearing Of the graft test--
mOny was in peaceful contrast 20
. the unusual disorder that had
marked the proceedings earlier ln
the day when Mayor Hyian was on
the witness stand.
Se-eral times the hearing was