The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-14
State Housing Quizzers Re-
fuse to Be Shunted From
Principal Objective.
LABOR GRAFT GROWS
New Disclosures to Throw
Brindelfs Achievements
Into Background.
BUCKNER TO PROSECUTE
Grand Jury VIII Get Evidence
Wrung by Untermyer
From Witnesses.
LABOR GRAFT GROWS
BUCKNER TO PROSECUTE

From Witnesses.
The Lockwood legislative committee
and the Board of Estimate and Appor-
tionment will confer tomorrow morn
ing, and the former has decided that
the city body is not going to saddle
upon 1t the laporious task OF investi-
eating all past, present and pending
city contracts. The Lockwood com
mittee admits it does not know that
the city administration desires thus to
pass the buck; it is suspicious merely.
At any rate, should any member OF
the Board of Estimate or Of the city
administration suggest that the Lock-
wood committee put forty-six public
school contracts under its microscope.
or test the validity and honesty of
S62, ,O00, 900 worth of construction work
that the city is having done. Samuel
Untermyer chief of counsel for the
committee, proposes replying that the
Lockwood committee refuses to do
work that the city has ample ma
chinery to do for itself.
The Lockwood committee has shown
the way, he will contend and has
shown that it is absolutely necessary
that every contract Hto which the
city has entered should be inspected
and reviewed publicly.
T. has become known that the Lock
wood committee scents q deep laid plot
to sidetrack It into mazes through which
1t may stumble for months and become
so involved that its work might come to
naught Members of the committee and
their counsel have encountered rnys-
terious something that has put them on
their guard against just such possi-
bility 1t Is figured that the Lockwood
committee, which has had TO fight its
way along against almost unanimous
opposition from the witness stand would
have TO work months. using the same
tactics. to do the work that tile city
could do for itEelf In q few wee,Ss.
would Divert the public.
Members OF the committee said yes
terday that 20 be shunted into slde
Issue such as the investigation OF city
contracts would so befog the main Issue
that the public would forget that It is
the primary ami almost sole duty Of the
committee to disclose to the public the
reason why there IS housing shortage.
Why 1t was necessary to pass anti-proA-
tceriag legislation 70 keep landlords
within hallIng distance and why con-
tractors and real estate operators found
Il impossible TO build houses. Several
members OF the Committee declared II Is
plain already that Il certain clique Of
labor leaders. not actual working men
themselves, form a gallery at all ses-
sions OF the investigation and vocaliy
and otherwise seek TO create 4 color
that win give the thoughtiess the idea
that the worklngman cherishes the lead
ership Of Bob Brlndell and counts tie
committee its enemy.
These committeeman declare that It is
the committees duty 70 release the
worker from the yoke OF grating bosses
and thus accomplish a situation that
automatically Will make lower rents and
a return TO normal possible
When the committee reconvenes
Wednesday new line of attack WIN be
entered upon by the committee and IL
predictions Inaterialize into facts great
er graft will be shown and larger finan-
cial figures. The committee has come
upon q new labor situation that prom
ises to be something of a sensation
even In an investigation built Of sem
sations. II is likely that Emory r.
Buckner. the latest addition TO the
counsel and associated counsel 20 the
committee. soon will be clothed with the
title OF Special Deputy Attorney Cen
erai. and thus equipped will commence
presenting TO the Grand Jury evidence
on which indictments will be based.
Buckner on swann's Payroll.
Mr.. Buckner. 1t was explained ycster-
day. Is not retained by the committee.
He is now a Special Deputy District At
torney. drawing pay from District At
torney Swann's appropriation. lie Is IN
charge OF the prosecution end OF the
AS tho committee turns
up facts he will try to convert them
into evidence.
a rather significant turn in the Lock-
wood committees affairs Is seen IN
new attitude shown by members of the
Building Trades Council. Now con-
vinced that they have lost n great deal
more than they gained BY affihation
with certain unions. and particularly
with the business agents OF those pnr-
ticular unions. n number of workers
skilled and unsklled-have sought out
members OF the committee and mefu-
bers OF the commretee's legal staff and
have told tales of graft aNd reprisaia
that Just about destroy whatever con-
lecture there remained. 1t is said that
skilled construction mechanics are tell
ing stories that incrlmlnate employers
"a welt as union bosses
For instance Il is said that there have
been contractors who connived with the
business agents OF unions to call strikes
and then calf them off Just to frlghten
tho individuals or corporations for whom
tho work was being done Then the
contractor is supposed to have gone TO
tho persons or interests for whom The
work ~ being done and prevailed upon
tho victim 70 pay "strike insurance.
The frightened owner. fearing protracted
delays and the loss Of much money.
PAYS the graft and the contractor ana