The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-11-22
SENSATIONS COME
IN INVESTIGATING
BUILDING TRUST
EVIDENCE Shows walking
Delegate" Claimed $1,000
Per Floor as Personal
Rake-Off
NOT AN ATTACK ON
LABOR FEDERATION
ATTORNEY STATES ORGANIZED
WORKERS WILL ULTIMATELY
REAP BENEFITS FROM EN-
POSTURE OF GRAFT

New York, Nov. 22.-Starting with
a slight rumble in 1919, the |investl-
cation of New York's building trust"
has gained such momentum in the
last few weeks that its roar has been
heard from coast to coast.
Here are a few Of the results to
date.
!. The city Of New York already
has rescinded several contracts for
public work reaching into the mil
lions and now has considered the ad.
visibility of cancelling all contracts
for public buildings, lest the trust"
had a hand in the bidding.
2. One indictment, charging per-
jury, has been returned by the grand
jury and threats Of more criminal
prosecutions are in the air.
3. Testimony already entered in
the record Of the joint legislative
committee investigating the trust has
given hints that combinations Is re-
straint of trade, charged by commit
tNN NouiiStli Hhay NC HaINOu Mlue Ai
scope.
4. Sensational disclosures have at
tracted the attention OF the depart
ment CT justice, which assigned "a
special official to watch developments
and the senate committee in produc-
toy aIG recons r.u lion. which with
subpoen power. has itself studied
the hoItins sltIl,.0n throughout IN.
country.
Sainuel Untermeyer, who is cen
ductiHg the in, -.tigation for the
iJint legislative c~JriEittee after claim.
ing a year ago tn3t he hal estab-
iished a clear clss of crrntnI, ccr-
splraCy in the building trader. is
confident hat tina inquiry soon III
assumed wider scope. lie has openly
charged that "the los important OF
these criminal combinations and Sc
cret agreements in the building trades
are nation wide in their scope and
annot effectively be reached by local
Prosecution"
Mr.. Untermeycr first started out on
the trail OF the building trust in
1919 after he had grilled witnesses
who appeared at that time before the
mayors committee on profiteering.
One. n brick dealer, had testified that
q remarkably uniform price for
brick and cement prevailed in New
York and that dealers who cut prices
had been quickly put out Of business.
No legal action was taken At tn 5
time, but when the housing stu
Of the state became more discomfort
ing, the legislature took notice Of
charges that a combination In the
building trades was holding the con-
struction situation in a vise-like grip
ana ordered a sweeping inquiry.
Mr.. Untcrmeyer was asked TO take
charge. Meeting in the city hall on
October 20. the joint legislative com
mitte6 to which he was appointed
counsel proceeded to unfold from wit
ncsscs q tale of an alleged contractor
labor combine. which recalled the
reign o. sam Parks, corrupt New
York labor leader. who died In prison
In 1904. after having been convicted
OF extortlug sums from contractors
on a threut to block their work Il
bribes were not paid him.
Stirred by testimony brought out
by Mr. Untcrmeycr. who promised
To send prices tumbling by smashing
the alleged trust and putting these
criminals behind the bars where they
bolong." New Workers are crowding
Continued on Page Two)