The New York herald., 1921-01-24
500 INDICTMENTS
UNTERMYER'S AIM
Former Secretary Of War Stim-
son Takes Charge of Lock
wood Trials.
HETTRICK SOON TO BAR
Realty Boards Disagree as to
Probe; Plumbers to Plead:
Office Rents Scrutinized.

The selection Of Henry l.. Stimson,
formerly Secretary of War, to act as
special prosecutor in criminal cases
growing out of the Lockwood commit
tees public investigation was an
nounced yesterday. simultaneously 1t
was learned that If the present plans
of Samuel Untermyer. chief counsel to
the committee, are carried out about
500 more individuals and corporations
will be indicted during the drive
against illegal operations in the build
ing trades.
Mr.. Stimson is understood to have
been induced by Mr.. Untermyer at a
conference on Saturday to aid in the
prosecutions as public duty. He will
take complete charge of the cases
against John T. Hettrick, one time
court stenographer, who is alleged to
have been a big factor in the boosting
of building costs through the organ
ization of various contractors into
groups which connived in the submis-
sion of bids on all big jobs.
Cooperating with Mr. Stimson will be
a large staff of special prosecutors al
ready engaged in the prosecution OF
cases arising from the Lockwood COM
nlittees inquiry and including Emory
r. Buckner. William A. De Ford. Ken
meth NJ. Spence. Samuel A. Berger.
Charles A. Perkins Arthur Train, STAN
ley Richter. Robert S. Johnstone and
Nv nd
Mr.. Berger will assist in the Hettricls
prosecutions.
Leaves UDtermyer Free.
The selection leaves Mr.. Jntermyer
free. upon the completion OF the trial OF
Robert F. Brindell, in which he is act
ing as chief prosecutor, to devote his
time exclusively to the continuation of
the Lockwood committees public investi-
cation.
1t is believed that by the time the
Brindell trial ends the Lockwood resolu-
tlon. which is in the hands of the Finance
Committee of the Senate. will have been
passed in some form. and that the hous-
ing committee Will be able to resume It's
sittings in the City Hall. delving into
not been touched upon. II Is under
stood that Mr. Untermyer will carry the
investigation just as far as he is per-
mitted TO by the Legislature and that
when he has done so he win leave for
Florida on his vacation.
1t was Mr.. Untermyer's original plan
TO prosecute Hettrick in person. as. with
the possible exception of Brindell. Het-
trick has been the most conspicuous
figure in all of the revelations made
through the committees activities. The
first indictment on which he is to be
tried is one charging him and two OF
Brindelrs lieutenants with having CO
creed contractors into Joining his price
boosting combinations.
The trials of other persons charged
with violation Of the State antitrust
laws. coercion. extortion and other Of
fences connected with the housing situa-
tion are TO be hurried as rapidly as pos
sible
Persons connected with the Lockwood
committee said yesterday that within the
last few days a comprehensive question
naire has been sent out by the commit
and loft buildings in the city asking for
copies of their balance sheets and state
ments showing the extent to which they
have been increasing rents.
Request Mystiaes Recipients.
These questionnaires are understood TO
have caused considerable comment
among the recipients, who have been
speculating as to whether they indicate
a move on the part of the committee for
the extension to office ana loft build
ings OF the laws which now apply only
to rents for residential property.
In connection with the action OF the
New York City Real Estate Board In
adopting resolutions protesting against
all recently enacted rent laws and urg-
ing defeat of the Lockwood committed
resolution, persons connected with the
committee called attention yesterday 20
the fact that the New York State Real
Estate Board, in session in Albany. mad
commended unanimously the work OF the
committee and had urged the Legislature
TO grant the extension of powers which
II Is now seeking.
The trial OF Brindell on charges OF ex-
tortion Is scheduled to continue this
morning before Supreme Court Justice
John V. McAvoy. and in all probability
the greater part OF the day will be con-
sumed with questioning OF Hugh Robert
son. the builder. who agreed to pay the
labor czar $4,000 for strike insurance
on construction work done for the
Cunard Steamship Company.
The master plumbers who we're in
dlcted Friday are also scheduled "a
present themselves to the court to-day
20 answer the charges made against
them.