The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-13
SWAMI GETS AFTER
UNION BOMB CLUES
Contractor Volk Says Chum
of Brindell Suggested Labor
Feud Theory.
ZARANK0 MAKES DENIAL
Hazy Description Of Driver of
Death Wagon Given by
One Witness.

Investigating the theory that the Wall
street bomb explosion last September
was due to a feud between rival labor
organizations-the interest of Robert p.
Brindell, head OF the Building Trades
Council, and William Zaranko's union.
Local So of sewreckers-District At
torney Edward Swami and several of his
assistants yesterday questioned Ave men.
These were Zaranl6o william r.
Ashley of counsel for Zaran ko's union.
Albert A. Volk. president of the Albert
A. Vo'k Company. which was dol g the
wrecl1ing on the Stock Exchange Annex
I Broad and Wall streets when the
bomb went off Abraham X Freshmen.
7ecretary Of the Volk Company, and
Michael Sheriff. secretary of the volk
Company.
The only result bearing directly on
the explosion was the obtaining from
Fleshner of hazy description of the
supposed driver of the bomb wagon
Incidentally there were disclosed in
stances Of 3rindell tyranny in the build
ing trades. and varying opinions as to
the FEASIBILITY of the theory that
friends of Zaranko's union had intended
to bomb the annex Job in revenge
against Brindell for driving Zaranko's
men off ii.
He was about medium height, feet
or inches, and weighed around $50
pounds" Fleshner recalled of the
driver, whom he had spoken to for
few moments. I'D say he was in his
forties. He was kind of flabby; you
know, not slim and not fat. He was
foreign looking. dark and might have
clothes were not those of driver. but
looked like good clothes He had some
kind Of a shirt on with collar of the
same material as the body
Contractor Tells OF Feud.
Mr.. Volk, who was first quoted as ad-
vancing the labor trouble theory, told
his inuulsitors that the theory had been
suggested to him by George Atwell. an
other housewreck.ng contractor. who
has been shown by the Lockwood nves-
tigation to be a close friend of Brindell
both socially and in business. This
linking of the Brindell interests with
the theory that tends to discredt the
Zaranko union was regarded as s!gnifi-
cart ~ The investigators.
Zaranko and his unions counsel both
ella med any connection with the
trict Attorney some of his men were
still at work on the annex. so that the
bomb settlers would hardly have been OF
hie union.
Raymond Clark. until recently a fore
man for the Vo'k Company. who also
talked with the supposed driver. was
foune yesterl Y among the spectators at
the Lockwood hearing. He made 1t
known that his attempted assassination
in Greenpoint October II was not due to
the bomb plotters, who desired to get
rid of him because OF his knowledge,
but to new members Of the gang"
my opinion Is that the whole theory's
bunk" Clark continued "Volk Is eager
10 have this theory accepted to get
Br'ndell It's political move. because
Brindell made VollS toe the mark and
treat the members Of the union properly
What other motives he has Cor getting
even at Brindeli don't care TO say, but
nc does want TO get even"
Use of Dynamite Denied.
Asked II his theory was based on any
thing except Atwelrs suggestion, Mr..
Volk replied:
There were additional circumstances.
I heard about the met7l slugs and
nnew of the union quarrel. The blasting
foreman, Carmlne Cougini said 1t was
not n dynamite >explosion-that he
knew-because OF its noise and the
smoke was a blush gray instead OF
yellow
Mr.. Volk related that 1t was iieces-
sary for his business to retain some OF
Zaranko's men. but to do It he had TO
enroll them H. Brndell's union. paying
a $50 initiation fee and SIS dues for
each of fifteen men he refined.
Police and Department of Justice Off
cials were interested in the labor trouble
theory, but expressed no views on 1t.
The police had no further word to sup
Element their announcement that they
had discovered the blacksmith who
shoed the slain horse.