New-York tribune., 1921-01-20
Briilndeu Fixed
Building Costs,
Says Witness
Lawyer Testifies Labor Gar
Ordered Price Be Raised
on Excavation Job From
$275,OOO to- 100000
Contractors Threatened
Engineer Tells of Alleged
Attempt to Extort 81,
for 20 X" ON Builder

Robert p. Brindell, who is charged
with using the Building Trades Coun-
ell. Of which he was president, to ex-
tort money from contractors by calling
strikes, was in the habit Of suggesting
prices which contractors should de-
mand Of builders, witnesses testified at
Brindell's trial yesterday before JUS
tice John v. McAvoy in the Criminal
Branch of the Supreme Court.
In one instance, 1t was alleged, the
labor leader demanded that the price
for excavating for an Office building
should be boosted from $275,O00 to
100000 so that he could share in the
increased profit.
Fixed Prices Of Labor
Franklin Nevius, an attorney, testi-
fled that he was present at confer
ence at which Brindell attempted to
dictate the prices for which work was
to be done and then named how much
would be required to permit union men
to 60 to work.
Nevius, examined by Samuel Inter
myer, counsel for tho prosecution, de-
clared that last April Jacob Fradus, a
contractor, complained to him that
Brindell had called strike on a $275,-
600 excavation job at Thirty-sixth
Street and Seventh Avenue for the
Garment Center Realty Company and
that in consequence of delay the con-
tract had been cancelled.
The witness Qaid that 1afo~, ho ~ou
ferred with Brindell at 90 Broadway
with view to conciliattng him. Brn-
dell explained that Fradus had trouble
with the union and "never could do
any more work in New York City" the
witness said, and also quoted Brindcil
rs saying that the contract had been
given to a man named Pierce.
II told Brindell that Fradus contend
ed he never employed any but union
men" said Nevius. "He then proposed
several alternatives, one of which was
for Fradus to divide the job with
Pierce, but he insisted that the price
was too low and would have to be
raised to $400,00O." ', ..''
George H. Clark, civil engineer. to
whom Fradus appealed after the strike
had been called and the contract can
celed, described an interview he had
with Brindell at Fradus's suggestion.
Clark said Brindell at first wanted to
know why he was "butting in," but
later agreed to give the contractor an
70. T." to do work on payment Of
$500.
Brindell His Own Collector
"Did he say to whom the money was
to be paid'" asked Mr.. .untermyer.
eyes; to nimself," replied Clark "Hc
also said the concern that was putting
up the building was saving money by
not having general contractor, and he
wanted some Of the money"
"What did he say would happen aif
the money was not paid?"
'He said Fradus couldn't have that
JOB or any other job in New York"
indicate how he would preven. it ?"
"He didn't; it wasn't necessary" re-
piled the witness. : s'
After Martin w. Littleton, counsel
for Brindell, objected to this answer
Mr.. Untermyer asked: "You knew how
he would prevent it. didn't you?"
Eyes, l knew" responded Clark.
Fradus, who had testified on Tues
day that Brindeli demanded $4,000
from him, was cross-examinrd by Mr.
Littleton. He declared he had become
bankrupt because of Brindell's activi
ties. He brought suit for s345,000
his contract and had asked Brindell to
aid him, he said.
did you promise him $1,000 to help
gou?" asked Mr.. Littleton.
81 offered him no money at ALL" re-
piled Fradus.
The trial will be resumed this morn
ing.