The New York herald., 1921-01-26
RECEIPT FOR BRIBE
OF $2,OOOREFUSED
BY BRINDELL'S AIDS
Builder Supplies a Tinge of
HumOr to Labor Cars
EXtortiOn Trial.
NO CAUSE FOR STRIKE
BIC Contracting Firm Had
to Obey Defendant in
Subletting Work.
SAFES NOT YET OPENED
Untermyer to Finish Prosecu-
tion To-day and Littleton
to Begin Defence.
SAFES NOT YET OPENED

The story of the frWtless efforts OF
one builder To obtain a receipt from
two OF Robert r. Brindell's lieutenants
for $4,000 in graft money which he
testified he paid over to them pro-
vided a humorous touch yesterday to
the trial of the labor czar before Su-
preme Court Justice McAvoy.
John II. Goldblatt of 167 Mount
Morris avenue, The Bronx. who told
it. was one of the last witnesses sched-
uled for the prosecution, as Samue
Untermyer. who has been acting as
chief special prosecutor expects to
finish his side of tho case to-day.
Mr.. GoldbIatt's memory as TO many
details was vague, but he recalled the
$4,000 transackon. A strike had been
called on building in which he was in
terested at l2i West Forty-fifth street
No one seemed to know exactly why it
had been called. as he was employing
only uuion laborers and comply ing with
all OF their demands Brrndcll told him
he was "on tho unfair list" but was un-
able TO explain why.
Then. according TO Goldblatt William
H. Chapman. an indicted walking dele
gate of the Plumbers Union. and Rich
ard Pike. walking delegate OF the Hoist
ing Engineers Union. who since has fled
from the State told him he could settle
matters for So. 500 in cash
BrindcII Restraints wrath
III report you to Mr. Brindell." said
the unsophisticated Mr. Goldblatt. and
down he went to the headquarters OF
the Building Trades Council. expecting
tn Wit a nf on
the part of Brinden when he should re-
late the story of the bribe bid Mr..
Brindelrs comment. according TO Mr..
Goldblatt, was: They're certainly let
ting yol off easy. You Shodldnt kick
about measily little s2,500."
Then. according 10 the witness. he
went tack 10 Chapman and Pike and
offered. first. $500: then $1,000, then
1880 and finally $4,000 They agreed
10 accept the $1,000 offer, and he made
= check for $1,000 payable to the order
of the Labor Council He then i'm
dorsed it Labor Council'' himself
cashed il In his own bank and asked the
teller to give him a memorandum OF the
numbers of the bills which he received
from him, Their. he stated. he turned
these bills over TO pike and Chapman
and naively asked for a receipt. Sew
eIal persons struggled to suppress invol-
untary laughter at this stage OF the
proceedings.
What did they say when you asked
Tor the receipt" queried Mr.. Inter
myer.
Chapman got sore. answered the
witness. but Pike just smiled They
wolldn give nee ,e -cipt. SO 1 kept the
money IN M: pocit. and went back 60
sse Brindeil He told me that | must
deal with CHAPMAN and Pike. Then
paid Pike the money without getting
any receipt. and he put il right in his
pocket. didn't have any more labor
troubles on that building.
Experts Fail to open safes.
The two safes which have been stand
ing in the Offices OF Brindelrs Building
Trades Council at IL st. Marks place.
were trucked down TO the Criminal
Courts Building yesterday. but all ef-
forts TO open them proved unavailng.
For several hours they stood on the
ground floor OF the building while ex-
perts from a. safe company tried their
handworiS in vain. Brindells men de-
clare they do not know how 10 open the
sal fes. and the prosecution Is averse to
tipping or blowing them II other means
Of access may be had.
Finally both safes were holsted up
staira ~ the office Of the property clerk
question of whether they contain the
minutes and cash book Of Brindell's or
sanitation remained unanswered some
rftemDt to force them may b. made to.
day II other safe experts 'ail TO work
the combinations.
The other witnesses called by The
prosecution repeated testimony which
they previously had given before the
( lockwood Committee. One Of them was
Robert G Whiting Of the George \. Full
Ter Company. who told how Brindell had
dictated 10 his company which contrac-
tors should receive jobs and of his
threats TO tic uD their business II they
did not permit him TO so dictate 10
whom work should be suhlet.
Naimon Clompoos OF the Clompoos
Houscwrecking Company repeated his
story OF dealing with Brindell. who got
Jobs for him IN return for cash fees.
When Mr.. Untcrmyer ends the case
for the prosecution Martin W. Littleton.
CHIEF trial counsel for Brindell. Will
make the usual formal motions to dis
miss n Is generally understood that
Brindeli will not take the witness stand
IN his own defence.
During the afternoon another blanket
Indictment was returned by the EN-
traordinary Housing Grand jury. II w.
understood 10 relate 20 the members Of
stone masonry contractors ring or
ganized and dominated by John T. Hot-
trick.