New-York tribune., 1921-01-15
Is
HopefulAfter
Seeing g Miller
Housing Committee Head
and Untermyer Tell
Governor Why Wider
Investigation Is Needed
From a stag Correspondent.


ALBANY, Jan. l4,-Following a con-
ference to-day among Governor Mil
ler,, Samuel Untermycr, counsel to the
Lockwood Committee, and Senator
Charles c. Lockwood, chairman Of the
committee, Senator Lockwood ex-
pressed the belief that the increased
powers requested by his committee
could be granted. Neither the Cover
nor nor Mr.. Untermyer would discuss
the conference.
II think that the Governor has
much better understanding now of the
reasons prompting our demands for an
extension of power" said Senator
Lockwood. "The committees reason,
with which the Governor was seem
ingly unfamiliar, was placed before
him. We informed the Governor Of
our plans and Of what the committee
had done for the good of the people.
~ am confident that the Governor
does not see anything revolutionary in
our program calling for. an investiga
ton of banks, insurance companies and
other financial institutions. Our con-
ference with the Governor, which
lasted more than an hour, was very
pleasant"
Expects Hard Fight
Senator Lockwood does not let his op-
timism delude him into the belief that
the broadened powers which his COM
mittee seeks will be granted without q
fight Of gigantic proportions. He and
the members of his committee and Mr..
Untermyer are prepared for such a
fight. In fact, they are looking forward
to it, and predict that before it is fin
ished the opposition will be driven to
cover.
The committees chairman intends
that there shall be a showdown on the
part Of the opposition within the next
three days. Monday night he will make
a formal demand for joint hearing on
his proposed amendments. This will
bring out the opposition in full force,
it is believed.
Considerable hostility to the broad
ening of the Lockwood committees
powers was shown to-day at the open
ing session of the two days conven-
ton of the New York State Association
of Real Estate Boards, which comprises
nineteen realty organizations and a
membership of 1900. Most of the op-
position came from upstate members
0I the ASSOCIATION.
Some of the New Y ork City members,
who are opposed to the grant Of power
sought by the Lockwood committee and
which opposition is based purely on
personal grounds, frankly expressed the
fear that an investigation of rents in
office buildings would not be to their
advantage.
The association is also opposed to
the so-called conhscatory features of
the Lockwood committees rent bills.
which were passed at the extra session
last September. 1t will present con-
structive suggestions for changing
these acts and also propose a bill
licensing real estate brokers.
Fights Stay for Rrindell
Mr.. untermyer, before calling on
the Governor, argued in the Court Of
Appeals against the stay of trial Of
Robert P. Brindell, pending an appeal
of decision from the Appellate Divi-
sion, which denied change of venue
to Brinlell. MIR. Untermyer said that
as matter of law an appeal can be
had in criminal cases only upon judg-
ments or orders specifically set forth
in the code in sthe criminal court pro-
cedure. He argued that Brindell's case
cid not meet the definitions specified in
the code and that the decree Of Che
Appellate Division could not be set
aside
Martin w. Iittleton appeared for
Rrindel. lie said that to deny his
client Il stay would leave Brindell ct
the mercy of one justice of the Su-
preme Court. Justice Burr. He said
that the Appellate Divisions dismissal
Of the appeal was unfair discrimina-
tion against the indicted labor leader.