New-York tribune., 1920-11-08
Mayor May Be Asked to
Tell Why Contracts Of
Millions Are Uncanceled
in Face of Disclosures
Hirshfeld Makes
Reply to Attacks
Resents Charges That FIX
ecutive Has Been Lax
in Aiding Investigation

Despite Mayor Hylan's protesta-
tions that he has been lending every
assistance to the Lockwood commit
tee in its investigation Of alleged
corrupt practices in the building in
dustry, it was plainly evident yes
terday that he would be put on the
witness stand and grilled by the
committees counsel.
It is the contention Of Samuel I'm
termyer, counsel for the committee,
that the Mayors assistance in con-
nection with the committees inquiry
into contracts for city work has been
purely formal and perfunctory. The
committee, it is understood, will ask
the Mayor why millions of dollars
worth of school contracts, which the
committee believes to have been
based on collusive bids, have not
been cancelled at its suggestion.
May Testify Thursday
The Mayor Will also be required TO
explain what knowledge the city has
of these contracts. how the bids uekre
arrived at and why this information,
if possessed by the Mayor, has no
been placed at the disposal OF the com
mittee as requested Il is possible that
the Mayor may go on the stand At the
committees hearing next Thursday
morning.
In the mean time George S. Backer.
the millionaire contractor, indicted or
charge Of perjury in connection with
the investigation. will appear before
Judge Mulqueen this morning to plead
in answer to the charge. 1t is the plan
Of the committee TO proceed with tn.
trial in about a week
Mr.. Untermyer declined 10 make any
reply yesterday to the Mayors state
ment that he had not delayed action.
He merely referred reporters to the
records in the case. 1t appears from
these that the Mayor first wrote TO th-
committee on September Z Offering Tn.
assistance of all city departments
similar communication was sent to the
Lockwood committee more than
month later, October 16.
On September IA the Msyor saws he
sent the John T. Hettrck letter, in
which Hettrick virtually offered the
Mayor the support of labor union. IL
Re would sign the limestone contract fur
the proposed new courthouse, 10 Com
missioner Hirshfield. TIE first hearing
of the committee took place OIL Octobet
20 and continued the next day. On Oc-
tober % the Mayor went before th.
Board Of Estimate and obtained ths
cancellation Of the s2,372,0OO court
house contract.
Hettrick Letter Published
1t was three days after thi. tnat
Mr. Hirshheld made public the Hettrick
letter. The contents Of this letter,
however, had in effect been made pub
lie in the press the day before the
Commissioner gave il out. On Octo
Der % Robert P. Brindell, head Of the
Building Trades Council charged b.
witnesses with eXtortion, was asked to
resign from the Mayors Conference
Committee on Housing.
On the basis OF these facts, il 10 the
contention Of the committees counsel
that the Mayor began to oestir himself
only after sensational disclosures
started pouring from the committees
hearings. SO far. the committee points
out, nothing has been forthcom ng as 10
what was being done. in relation 10 the
schcolhoQse contracts which Inter
myer suggested should b. Immediately
cancelled or the ground that they were
based on coiluslve bidding.
Mr. FIirsl+'e "a rarl,- A. r-r+av
myers attack on the Mayor, esterday
declared that Mr.. Untermyer's asser-
tons were not founded on facts. He
said he had given the committees coun
gel a complete record of the testimonv
taken in the courthouse hearing and
that, at the suggestion of the Mayor,
tire Commissioner OF Accounts and ar
Assistant Corporation Counsel have at
tended every session Of the committee
to lend every aid possible
An investigation of ali contracts en-
tered into by the city. including school
mousse construction. has been in prog
ress tor several weeks, be adds. and
under instructions of the Mavor N.
work Is proceeding rapidly
School Work Under WAY
AS TO the schoolhouse contracts
says MIR. Hlrshiield, I'VE ind thar some
OF the schools have been finished. other
are n process OF construction. ard
that save IN connection with ONLY tso
contracts no building has commenced
Mr.. tntermyer, as a lawyer, knows
that It Is very easy to cancel contracts
and precipltate the city into lawsuit
involving millions OF dollars for dam
ages and thousands Of dollars in costs.
u nus Gar there has been no evidence
brought oat upon which the city cou's
predicate defense 20 any acton for
damages n "a OF ihe cancellation
or the school contracts. and the public
can res. assured teat these contract
viii be cancelled, as hevc been IL
courthouse contracts, AS soon "a M
Investigation c. MIR. untcrmyer's in-
'estlgat on warrants IT
with respect 10 tne charge tne'
the Hettrick letter had been withheld
for two I./aths. Mr. Hirshneld says h.
made reference 70 II on the day after
he received it from the Mayor at ths
courthouse hearing before the Bosrei
OF Estimate in the presence of news
paper men. On TIE .sne afternoon. r..
ADDS. one reporter r.uae ~~ce~pts from
1t. and Mr.. Hirshfeld called Mr. U..---