The New York herald., 1921-07-15
LEO URGES HYLAN
TO PUNISH CRITICS
Continued iron, First Pooe.

as q sourceMof graft. and as there was
no general contractor to hold up for a
round sum on the whole operation. he
tackled Fradus first on the wreclSing
and excavation. First he demanded that
Fradus find some excuse for jumping
his price up to $400. 600 and then that
he take in a man named Pierce, another
excavating contractor. as his partner in
the job. Fradus refused these terms
and. he afterward testified at Brindelrs
trial. Brindell demanded $4,000. later
reduced to mere $4,000. as the price
Of permission to go ahead with the
work He also demanded a copy Of the
contract which Fradus also refused.
Franklin Nevius. an attorney and
George H. Clark. an engineer. to whom
Fradus appealed, sought to intervene
with Brindell in Fradus's behalf. but
were received very coldly and told that
either Fradus would increase his con-
tract by s225.00o and take on Pierce
as a partner or he would not get the
men necessary to do the work.
Engineers Walked Out.
Finally. when Fradus undertook to
start the job regardless of Brindelps
threats, his stationary engineers, mem
bers Of Brindell's Building trades Coun-
ell, walked out on him and he was left
helpless. Excavating machinery which
he had ordered was mysteriously de-
layed in transit to the scene of the work
and the Garment Centre Realty Conn.,
pany. according to Fradus's story. sud-
denly held him liable for not perform
ing on the contract according to sched-
ule. and Pierce took over the job.
Brindell told Lawyer Nevius then, the
latter has testified, that Fradus could
do no more work in New York city
because he had challenged Brindells
power. Fradus found himself beset at
every point and was forced into bank
ruptcy within a few months Of losing
the Garment Centre contract. He has
since brought suit for $325,000 dam
ages, alleging that Brindell drove him
into bankruptcy as punishment" for
not meeting Brindell's demands.
Later. when Fradus was at his wits
ends for work, he went to Brindell and
told the labor cZar he could get GER
tain small contract If Brindell would
let him. How much would 1t cost? He
had $2.700 in his pocket at the time.
but said nothing about that
Brindell pondered a few minutes and
then said:
well, Fradus, you've had a good
lesson. Since you're so hard up now
I'll let you take that Job for $1,000 and
give you a paper so you'll get my men
to work for you. They won't unless
give you a letter.
Paid His $1,000.
SO Fradus paid over his $1,000. got
his paper" signed by the secretary OF
px;x Aalr nj vi
that Fradus was "all right" took his
contract and started work again for the
first time in several months. That was
in September. 1920. When the Lock-
wood committee began its hearings
toward the close of October persons who
knew something of Fradus's troubles
brought him in touch with Leonard
Wallstein, associate counsel to the COM
mittee. who found him ready to tell his
whole story. He said he was already
ruined by Brindell and he could not see
that telling the story would harm him
any further. His story was repeated on
the stand October %. 1920. and was one
of the sensations OF the Lockwood In
vestigation.
At that time Fradus was told again by
men friendly to Brindell that he had
cooked his goose for sure. now" and
that he need expect no more success as
a contractor in this part of the world.
But Fradus went about his business un-
afraid and later testified again at Brin-
delrs trial. Brindell is said to have
vowed bitter vengeance against him for
that.
Other contractors admirins the little
mans courage and finding him unusually
keen In a business way. have interested
themselves in him, and to-day, in his
contract with the city, he has the back
ing of Booth & Finn. the big subway
contractors. But he cannot seem to get
away from the ever present mysterious
obstacles that spring up overnight on
every Job he tackles. He now threatens
to sue the city for 100000 for damages
because of his inability properly TO per-
form the contract through interference
by the city and It's agents.
Commissioner Leo rdiculed this threat
yesterday. saying that the whole amount
of the contract would not exceed $780,
900, so that unless he was a champion
profiteer Fradus could not make any
such profits. But Fradus. II is under
stood, includes In his damages expenses
which he has incurred in organizing a
plant for the work.