Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-01-06
FINANCIAL FIRMS OF new YORK
TO BE INVESTIGATED BY
N THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

VI rtngsy.Rhdssapandsg indictment: for viola
ttion.ofstfreSStatN antitrust acts and Is
held in 800, 900 bail. He is alleged to
have devised the code Of practice"
under, which bids were matched and
prices boosted by collective action,
Plumbers Indicted.
Fifty-two members Of the Master
Plumbers association are among the
most recent members Of the alleged
building trust to be indicted for vip-
lating the state antitrust act. and are
held in $4,000 bail each. Sixteen mefn-
lbers. of the Employing Metallic Fur
ring and Lathing association are held
for destroying evidence. which they
admit they had desired to keep out Of
n hands of the committee.
Three wealthy business men are
under indictment for contempt. They
arc John A. Philbrick, millionaire
head of the Builders Supply Bureau,
and Joseph Penny, treasurer Of the
"brick king who was actively inter-
ested in the Association Of Dealers in
Masons' Building Supplies. Goss is
also indicted ~foracttng in restraint Of
trade.
Indictments are expected. soon in
the cement, brick, sand, lath and
plaster. and marble combinations
"1iICA dIS Allc6eu " nave HaO u ClrOl-
tie hold on New York since 1916 and
to have sent prices w from 100 to 500
per cent. ~
Robert p. Brindell, president of the
Building Trades Council, held under
100000 bail OF indictments charging
extortton and attempted extortion
from builders. is scheduled to go on
trial early in January, his prosecution
TO- be conducted by Mr.. Untermyer.
Several of Brindelrs aids are also
held for the alleged extortion of graft
from contractors. -,
George S. Backer, millionaire build
i$er,sheld on charge Of perjury, will
so on trial soo for the second time,
the jury in his. first case failing to
agree. Backer is alleged to have given
false testimony: regarding q $4,000
bride to agents of~Brinde1l.
Many. Of the alleged conspirators in
the building trust" many Of them
multi-millioraires, have fled to points
outside Of the state, where they are
; safe from the interference OF the
committee.
! Atlantic City, M j., has a growing
colony 81 these refugees, it is stated.
City Cancels Contracts.
,As asresult Of the investigation the
city has rescinded more than $1,000
900 worth Of contracts on it's new
court house and is Investigating $685.
100000 worth Of other city public
work contracts for evidence of collu-
sive bidding.
One of the most sensational devel,
opments Of the inquiry was testimony
regarding alleged methods employed
by the Bethlehem Steel corporation,
subsidiaries of the United States Steel
corporation, and other manufacturers
of fabricated steel; to force their open
shop policy upon the builders of the
country by refusing them structural
steel. unless it; was to be erected by
on-unioh men. a.
Several days were taken by the
committee in investigating the activi-
ties of the National Erectors' associa-
ton, which under the direction Of its
counsel, Walter Drew, is conducting
ar open shop movement. Testimony
purporting to show that the National
Erectors' association and the Steel
corporation worked hand in hand and
had an extensive union spy system
vas heard by the committee.
Is One Of the sensations of the inquiry
was the questioning of Eugene C.
Grace. president of the Bethlehem
Steel corporation, by Mr.. Untermyer,