The New York herald., 1921-05-02
Agent Admits That He Was
Approached While Alder
men Were Considering
His Application.
UP TO PROBE TO-DAY
Facts Of Alleged Attempt
at ExtOrtiOn Are in the
Hands of Lockwood
Committee.
TNTERMYER CALLS HYLAN
Letter Challenges Reason for
Vetoing Legislative Bill;
Demands He Pave Way
for Competition.
UNTERMYER CALLS HYLAN

Eurtner QetAliS Oh the feleutleS
grip in which New York city has
been held by the water meter monop
oily were revealed to The New YoRE
HERALD yesterday from highly an
thoritative sources. Besides supple
menting disclosures already brought
out by Samuel Untermyer. chief coun
sci for the Lockwood legislative com
mittee investigating housing, these de
tails include the implication tha
money 'to grease the wheels" pait
to the proper persons, would do much
to relieve what Mr.. pntermyer in .
letter to Mayor Hylan described a:
can incredible situation"
The outstanding developments yes
terday in the situation that tomorrow
will again be taken up by the Lock
wood committee were:
1. Mr.. Untermyer. in long let
ter to the Mayor. challenged the
latters avowed reasons for vetoing
the bill passed by the Legislature
which would have taken from the
Board Of Aldermen the authority OF
determining what meters should be
sold in New York and placing 1t
with the engineers of the Water
Department.
2. The admission by William 8.
rn.+; rra.+ov-,, lou ~, a :, q rar of the
Badger Water Meter Company OF
Milwaukee, that while n resolution
approving his company's meter was
before the Board Of Aldermen he
had been approached by a man who
called at his office and said: "Bill.
this thing is not going through un-
less you grease the wheels"
8. That manufacturers of an i'm
proved meter, combining types al
ready approved and designed to
save the city probably hundreds OF
thousands of dollars annually, tiring
OF the red tape incident to Alder
manic approval. sought through
the Corporation Counsel's office
way to short cut this approval, but
got an adverse ruling.
Brfbe Report Confirmed.
The most startling development
that of the solicitation OF a money
bribe from Mr.. Cetti, who since 1915
has vainIy been trying to get permis-
sion 10 put his meter on the loca
market. was obtained by THE New
yoRK HERALD from independent sources
Mr.. Cetti confirmed the chief details
only after he had been assured that
such confirmation would not embar-
rass or hamper Mr.. Untermyer's fur
ther investigation. In doing so. how
ever. he declined TO disclose the name
or describe the man he says ap-
approval OF his meter could be OBJ.
tanned for suitable consideration, al.
though the reported conversation
would indicate that he was well known
70 Mr.. Cetti. 1t was also hinted last
night that the name OF the individual
IN question already Is In the posses.
sion OF the counsel for the Lockwood
committee.
The information which reached TYI
Ngw YoRK HERALD was that while ns
resolution which would have approved
the meter manufactured by Mr.. Cetti's
concern and which could be sold e
New York plumbers for about one-thirt
lose than the price demanded BY th'
manufacturers comprising the Water
Meter Manufacturers Exchange, was be.
fore the Board or Aldermen. in com.
nittee. Cetti was approached by the
unnamed individual who called at his
Office at 30 Court street. Brooklyn. Mr.
cetti was summoned from his desk into
the hall. whereupon his caller wa,
quoted as saying:
"Bill. this thing In not going through
unless you grease the wheels"
Cettis response. the report goes. wac
10 demand who his caller represented
and on being told that was not to be
dieclosed, retorted:
We'll, you 80 back TO the person who
sent you anu tcii Hlnl uon uO puAiteR
that way. I've never done n crooked
thing In my life and I'm not going tc
start now"
Long Letter 20 HyIan.
When a reporter for THE NEW YORK
HrnAry called on Mr.. Cetti yesterday a,
hts home. 22f Eastern Parkway. Brook
lyn. he was reluctant TO give public con.
dsmation Of the report Privately. he
admitted it's truth.
II was 80 angry" he said II turned
OH my heel and went back 20 my office
and left the man standing In the hall
Whatever is 10 be said about the Incl
dent. | want TO say under oath before
an authorized tribunal"
AIR. Cctti then went on to explain that
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