The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-22

but was later reduced 10 Se5.oo0.
Until $50 o'clock LAST niga; M INTER
myer tried to get definite statements
from Backer. who one minute pleaded
his memory was good and the next in
sisted II was very bad Bscker charged
that Levy had betrayed mis- confidence.
Mr.. Untermyer said Levy had been
Obliged 10 testify and warned Backer
that the proceedings were serious and
that ne was testifying under oath.
Finally Mr.. Untermyer produced
transcript OF testimony given by
Backer to Deputy Attorney General
Berger and Leonard Wallstein two
days ago in which Backer said he
knew Brlndell got the money
I'VE are through with YOU" said Mr..
Untermyer when Backer faced both
Wallstein and Berger. and said he
failed to remember what he had said.
Senator Lockwood directed that
copies OF the testimony given yester-
day and the copies of that given two
days ago at the State Attorney-G
erals office be given 10 the proper
prosecuting officers for prompt action.
Backer was taken last night to the
offices OF the State Attorney General
and further examined by Mr.. Berger.
John c. O'Connor. lawyer, OF 81
Broadway. who said he represented
Brindell. asked that his client receive
an opportunity to be heard again II
was agreed by Mr. Untermyer and the
committee that Backer shall return this
morning and that Brindell also may be
present.
Plot, Says O'COnnor In Warming.
Mr.. O'Connor called newspaper men
about him after the session and de-
clared that Brindell would hold news
papers to strict accountability for any
statements from the testimony that
would accuse him of committing
crime. He charged also that the entire
investigation was part Of deep seated,
nationwide propaganda against organ
lied labor"
Assemblyman Thomas a. McWhinney
OF Nassau county. a member of the conf
mittee. heard OConnor make this
charge. He pushed through the crowd
and demanded that OConnor agree to
appear before the committee with facts
OConnor said his statement was based
upon the belief among labor men.
resolution passed by the Building
Trades Council yesterday insists that
any member OF the council who testifes
before the committee in the future shall
be actively represented by counsel II he
so desires This viii be against the
rules adopted by the committee. O'Con-
nor and Mr.. Unternyer FLASHED several
times because OF the labor attorney S
persistence in breaking in on the testl-
mony.
The search warrant for the raids was
issued at the request OF Mr.. untermyer
by Magistrate William McAdoo. In its
execution Deputy Attorney General
Berger was accompanied by party OF
seven, including Detective Barton 7.
Wilson of the staff OF District Attorney
Edward Swami. Mr.. Berger took par
ucular care to see that no records were
seized other than those which might
concern Mr.. Hettrick's relations with
the building trades. Miss Mary Amin
has charge of the uptown office.
Miss Amin was the first witness at
the morning session. She has super
vision of tho files of the code of prao-
tice" of the three building contractors
ORGANIZATIONS which Mr.. Hettrick repre-
SCENTS. She said she did not know the
nature Of the papers fled She was
excused that she might go to her Office
and bring back samples of the docu-
Inents.
Mr.. Hettrick then took the stand and
Immediately sharp repartee begAn'
Closely pressed by Mr. Uptermyer Oh
which he uses in dealings with his
clients on prospective jobs, Mr. Het-
trick suddenly asked Senator Lockwood
10 send Cor a post Office inspector.
Says His Mall Was Robbed.
You are in the wrong building" said
Mr. Untermyer Don't annoy the COM
rittee." He held up some of the cards
which Hettrick insists were robbed from
his mail and smiled In tantalizng
manner.
You didn't think you could continue
forever violating the law, did you
asked Mr.. Untermyer.
ct wasn't violating the law any more
than you were when you organized the
brewers trust" replied Hettrick hotly.
Mr.. Untermyer rebuked the witness
for casting aspersions upon the commit
tee and accused Hettrick OF playing to
the gallery"
The system employed by Hettrick and
the groups of contracts was the subject
of a lengthy examination by Mr.. Inter
nyer Clarence Shearn, former Supreme
Court Justice, counsel for Mr.. Hettrick
advised the witness when consulted
over the telephone not to produce the
records which he had promised. He
said he refused 10 produce them be-
cause they were privileged communica-
lions between him and his clients.
Then you do not refuse on the
grounds that II might incriminate or de-
Grade your asked Mr.. Untermyer
mo: and resent that question" said
Hettrick.
Mr.. Untermyer read from a card adj
dressed to Hettrick on September II
containing a bid for factory building
on which was the notation "Accommo-
dalton desired by u.s. II you cannot give
II let us know at once"
The witness said this meant that th'
contractor did not want to go to th'
trouble and expense of figuring on tbs
Job and wanted Hettrick to advise In or
der that they might put in bid hgi
enough to insure the Job not being giver
TO them.
THAT notation" said Mr.. Untermyer
would look pretty bad to a greenhorn.
at would until It was explained"
We'll" said Mr.. Untermyer 81 an
not a greenhorn. and II looks pretty bac
TO me-"
Plan to obtain other BIDS.
Mr.. Hettrick said the man represented
on the card evidently did not want the
Job. but wanted TO continue figuring SO
that he would still be asked to bid for
other work from the same people.