The New York herald., 1921-01-10
Plans Of Lockwood Commit
tee to Extend Work APP
pear to Be Doomed.
UNTERMYER MAY QUIT
Investigators Not Satisfied
With Continuance I'm
der Present Powers.
FINANCIAL GROUP BUSY
Senator Lusk Silent Oh Views
Regarding Loan Phase of
Construction Shortage.
FINANCIAL GROUP BUSY

The plans of members of the Lock-
wood Committee for thorough inves-
tigation of banking and insurance
companies in connection with the
housing inquiry appeared yesterday
II be doomed to defeat through pow
erful group of legislators who are re-
solved to withhold from the commit
tee any extension OF power
Although the passage Of the resolu-
ton continuing the committee in eN-
isterce Is looked for on all sides, It
was forecast on good authority that
the measure would be stripped of the
most important clauses relating TO
the financial institutions before IL
passes both houses. In view Of this
there appears to be grave doubt
whether Samuel Untermyer. who do
mated his services 10 the committee
throughout its sensational drive
against building trades combines here,
will continue to place his time at its
disposal.
Talk of Hobbies working against the
resolution and OF powerful pressure
being brought to bear upon legislators
70 get them TO halt the proposed turn
OF the inquiry toward the financial and
insurance interests, received confirma-
ton when persons connected with the
committee said they had learned there Is
scarcely an upstate legislator who mas
not received n letter from some bank
in his home section urging defeat of
the proposal.
Lusx Gone; Leaves Statement.
State Senator Clayton X. Lusk ma
jority leader OF the upper house, who
t., regarded as one Of the principal op-
ponents Of the proposal of the Lock
wood Committee 10 extend its inquiries
into the banking phase Of the building
graft left this city yesterday without
comforting with representatives OF the
committee as he had been expected 10
do, and GOV. Miller likewise left the
city without having attended confer
ence, as It was announced he would
Both had attended a dinner of the Amen
Corner on saturday night and there
Senator Lusk discussed the matter
briefly with Mr.. Untermyer and Senator
Charles G. Lockwood, chairman Of the
committee.
Before leaving the city. Senator Lusk
issued n statement in which he said:
There is no doubt that the Legisla-
ture will continue the Lockwood Com
mittec with all of the powers granted
10 the committee under the previous
hot
BE- given TO Investigate all matters af-
fecting the housing and construction
problem.
"I have requested the chairman OF tho
committee to give me letter stating
what lines he desires to investigate.
The request was made so that in case
any changes are proposed or made In
the resolution as offered Wednesday,
nothing will be done TO hamper the
committee IN its work"
Asked specifically about his views on
the part Of the resolution relating TO
financial Institutions the majority leader
refused to 20 INFO further details.
The contention OF Mr.. Cntermyer.
Senator Lockwood and others connected
with the housing inquiry for some time
past has been that its continuance
merely with the powers that were
granted 20 II last year would preclude
them entirely from conducting the In
vestlgation they propose Their contcn-
tion has been an investigation Of the
financial Institutions and OF the circum
stances behind the lending or the failure
TO lend money on bond and mortgage IL
absolutely essential to complete in
quiry of the conditions underlying the
present building shortage.
They have maintained repeatedly THAI
the resolution OF last year which gave
to the committee power 90 inquire Into
financial affairs OF such institutions
was Inadequate for conducting n proper
Investigation because Of the limits Il
placed upon the committees powers, and
for this reason they lid not touch upon
this phase Of the building situation dur
ing their inquiry OF last year.
Untcrmyer Not Talking.
when Mr.. Untermycr was asked yes
terday for a statement regarding the
course he would pursue ~ event OF the
LEGISLATURE refusing 20 enlarge the pow