The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-12
TWO GRAND JURlB
WHLACTSWIFTLY
ON MARBLE TRUST
Federal and State to Get
Lockwood Evidence
Within Week.
HETTRICK is SILENT
His Lawyer Refuses to Tell
Whether His Client Has
Been Indicted.
OFFICIALS ARE ALSO MUM
U. s. Authorities Deny Reports
That They Fail to Co.
operate Fully.
OFFICIALS ARE ALSO MUM

The Lockwood legislative commit
tees revelations concerning pric,
boosting in the marble industry stirred
both Federal and State authorities tt
swift action yesterday. and from Of
fetal statements 1t appeared that the
matter may be presented to two Crane
Juries within a week
All of the testimony taken Friday
| before the housing investigators which
trades situation and exposed a double
riveted combination by which thirty.
six Of the largest contracting firms OF
| the city monopolized trade within a
radius Of twenty-five miles Of the
city and fixed prices to suit them
selves was turned over to the loca
Federal authorities at their own re-
quest. Duplicates were delivered tc
the special staff of prosecutors pre-
senting evidence to the Grand Juries
now in session In the Criminal Courts
Building.
Actuated by a report that was In
circulation, a reporter called John T.
Hettrick. organizer of the indicted cut
stone contractors organization. on the
telephone and asked him II he had
been indicted and II he had been re-
quested to appear in the Criminal
Courts Building on Monday morning.
Mr.. Hettricks reply was: you will
have to ask my attorney. Robert II,
Elder"
Refuses to Affirm or Deny.
When the question was put to Mr..
Elder he refused either to affirm or
deny 1t.
officials in charge OF the prosecutions
growing out of the Lockwood cofnn,ttecs g
activities and the drive Samuel Inter
myer is making against the building COM
hines were not at liberty to say whether
Hettrick has finally been indicted. They
would not furnish any information as to
the identify of the one individual who
was indicted Friday with the thirty
members of the cut stone combination
who failed to appear in court and whose
identity was kept secret at the time.
II was said that the resolutions Of the
indicted cut stone contractors to aid the
prosecution had resulted In furnishing
much assistance to the investigators. and
II IL known that many contractors have
conferred In the last two days with Leon
ard NJ. Wallstein. Special Deputy Attor-
neg General. who is aiding Mr.. Inter
myer in assembling evidence for smash
ing the combinations and the furtherance
of criminal prosecutions.
Hettrick, who has been one of the cen
trail figures In the inquiry since the Lock
wood committee started It's work, has
been spending his time In New Jersey re-
Gently. and II was there he was reached
by telephone.
1t is the tendency OF various persons
in whose stories the committee is in
terested to make protracted visits Ia
other States. This fact has led many OF
the State investigators to believe that the
Federal authorities should busy them
selves and compel attendance here by
Federal subp@nas. To date the Federal
authorities have expressed resentment for
the criticism to which they have been
subjected, and have insisted that they
were doing their best. but as far as could
be learned yesterday they have made no
move to round up the out OF town wit
nesses over whom they alone have juris-
diction and to compel them to submit to
examination.
Giving Every Possible Aid.
In connection with the interest which
the Federal authorities have manifested
In the evidence relating to the marble
combination. United States Attorney
Francis @. Caffey said that everything
possible was being done TO aid the Lock-
wood committee.
II was said that the purpose Of the
Federal action rs to ASCERTAIN whether
the marble contractors have been guilty
Of violating the Sherman antitrust law,
and that II this appears to be so the
Federal Grand Jury will be asked TO
consider the case.
When the Lockwood committee re-
sumes It's hearings Tuesday It is ex-
pected to deive into the activities Of
building associations heretofore un-
mentioned at it's public sessions. There
after It will take up the steel situation.
which r. considered as one Of the most
important.
A witness who probably will be re-
called TO the stand 10 testify about the
steel situation Is Louis Horowitz. presi-
dent Of the Thompson-Starrett Company
DurinC bfa teetfmony before the conn
mittee last week Mr.. Horowitx said that
fabricators Of steel would not permit
employment Of union labor.
Martin Conboy and George Medalle.
counsel for Joseph Penny and John T.
Phiibrick. indicted members OF the
Building Supply Bureau. scored a point
In favor OF their clients yesterday when
Supreme Court Justice John v. McAvoy
granted their application for an inspec-
ton OF the minutes OF the extraordinary
Grand Jury which indicted both men.