The New York herald., 1921-02-15
PLUMBERS FORCED
BY HETTRICK INTO
RING, THEY ADMIT
One Tells of Increasing Bid
Under Orders. and Finally
Defeating Boss.
STRIKE HINT Is ACTIVE
Witnesses at Trial Say Fear
Drove Them Into
Combine.
TOLD ACTS WERE LEGAL
Testimony Shows Defendant
Used Photo of Chief Justice
White to Aid Activities.
TOLD ACTS WERE LEGAL

Testifying yesterday under States
subpoena, John Mcmillan, president of
the John Mcmillan Company, who has
been in the plumbing business for up
ward of fifty years, told how John T
Hettrick had compelled him 10 ask
s49.s50 for work upon the Columtia
Trust Company building at 35S Fifth
avenue, although he was willing to do
II for 1880 less. He gave detailed
account of Hettricks efforts to compel
the builder to award the contract to
another firm, and of his final surren-
der when he found that the builder
was determined to have the Mcmillan
company
Mr.. Mcmillan was the principal wit
ness at the days session of the trial
OF Hettrick and three codefendants
on an indictment charging them with
having conspired to coerce plumbing
contractors into joining the price regu-
lating bands which Hettrick operated.
Other witnesses told of Hettrick's use
of a picture OF ChiefJustice White Of
the United States Supreme Court in his
efforts to convince contractors that his
schemes were within the law, and of
alleged efforts on the part Of William
II. Chapman and William l.. Doran two
officers of the Journeymen Plumbers
Union to compel them TO join Hettrick's
organization under threat of withdrawal
of their men from their jobs.
Uses Photo of Justice White.
Questioned by Henry L. Stimson and
Kenneth NJ. Spence, special prosecutors.
witnesses told of an address which Hett-
rick delivered at a meeting of master
plumbers in which they alleged he sad:
II went down to Washington to consult
Chief Justice White upon the question
of the legality OF this scheme. OF
course. he could not give me an opinion,
but he did the next best thing. He gave
me his autographed photograph. which
] have hanging In my office"
They said that Hettrick also expressed
himself as so firmly convinced OF the
legality of his enterprise that he de-
clarcd he would personally insure all
Of the members Of his combines against
prosecution and would pay the cost of
their trials.
Mr. Mcmillan. who gave his age as
70. and said he had known Herbert
Smith. one of the defendants for twenty
~ years. testified that he had joined
Hettrick's organization to escape from
certain phases OF the old competitive
system which had been injurious to
business. and upon the assurance that
T. had been approved by the Federal
authorities
He said that when the Columbia Trust
Company job was opened he called Het
trick on the telephone and told him that
he intended to bid s4s,500 for the work.
This was In accordance. he said. with
the rules OF the Hettrick organization
which required all members TO submit
bids TO Hettrick for approval before
making them Later in the day. he said
Hettrick called him on the telephone
and said that he would have to make
his bid s49.s50.
Forced TO Increase hid.
At this. the witness testified, he be-
came indignant and said to HettricS ::
"I am coming down TO see you just as
quick as the subway can take me-
At Hettrick's office he learned that
Wells & Newton. another firm. had been
slated by Hettrick for the job. and that
the object in making him increase his
bid was to enable Wells & Newton to
get the job for s4S.S52. This also was I'm
accordance with the rules OF the Het-
trick organization under which he was
in the habit OF apportioning work among
the members. on this occasion Hettricl<
intimated that Wells & Newton were to
have the Job because the amount OF
work which he had previously appor-
toned them was short of what they
were entitled to.
Mr.. Mcmillan testified that when he
refused to raise his bid Hettrick said
"As the adjustei order you 70 bid
sfas50."
The witness testified that he finally
consented because he did not want 10
disobey the rules Of the Hettrick organ.
ization. Then, he said. Walter G.. Clougl
OF the Clough- Bourne Corporation build.
ors, told him that he would give him tho
Job at $4,000. 10 which he replied thai
he could not reduce his bid.
Clough who knew about Hettrick't
methods. then said. according TO the wit
ness. "Oh. this Is some OF that down.
town stuff" Clough then offered hin
tho Job on cost plus basis. and Mr.
Mcmillan appealed TO Hettrick to let hin
accept the offer. Hettrick then con
sented.
Two brothers. Charles and James
Armstrong, testified the defendan
Smith had advised them TO join Hett
ricks ring. and that shortly therea ftei
the labor representatives.. Chapman ant
Doran. called upon them and pressed th'
FNEEeNlon W ny are you aOiuE ms
fonary work for the employers? -
Charles Armstrong said he asked Dorar
and Chapman. They ignored tho ques
tion he said.
Feared Thcy would Pace strike.
Finally. the witness testified. when h,
refused TO go into the Hettrick rims
Chapman said. "All right, you ma,
wake W some hno morning and fine
that YOU haven't any men to do you
work"
Don't say that" the witness testi
field he demonstrated THAT sound
TOO much like a threat"
~. testified that Chapman ,hen said
.t.-el. " YOU want to take Il that way
why take II as a threat" Fearing tina
heso labor officials would order a s'rilv
Y they did not fall into line the brother
tes;ifad they Joined the ilettrick group
A. tho same meeting of master plumber
lt which Hcttrick spoke Of chief JUS
tice White Charles Armstrong sad. ~
heard intmations 10 the effect tha
tho services Of unionized iourneymei
plumbers would be denied To contractor
remaining outside OF the Hettrick group
John G. Finnerty. another plumbinl
contractor. told how Hettrick said &
him on one occasion. "If you don't lv
up TO our rules YOU won't be able e
get any men for your work"
M