The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-02-22
HETTRICK'S UNION
AIDS DENY THREATS
Chapman and D0ran Testify
They Never Conspired to
COerce Plumbers.
ELDER BEGINS DEFENCE
Lawyer Says Head of Combine
Only Meant to Protect
Trade From Errors.

Testifying in their own defence yester-
day, William j. Doran and William II.
Chapman, president and walking dele
gate respectively Of the Journeymen
Plumbers Union, gave their explanation
OF their reason for favoring the organza-
ton Of master plumbers ruled over by
John r. Hettrick, and also denied vigor-
ously that they ever had endeavored to
induce any employer to join this organ
ization through threats that he would be
deprived of labor if he did not do so.
Chapman and Doran are being tried
with Hettrick before Supreme Court JUS
tice McAvoy on an indictment charging
them with having conspired to coerce
master plumbers into joining the Het-
trick rings for control of prices and con-
nivance in the submission of bids.
Just before they commenced their tes-
tmony Herbert Smith. another defend
ant and a member of the firm of Hemlin
& Smith, master plumbers. announced
through his counsel, Martin Conboy, that
he would rest his case without taking
the stand or calling any witnesses In his
behalf
According to the testimony Of Doran
and Chapman, whose stories were SINH
lar, they knew nothing of the fine points
of Hettricks organization. They had
been given to understand at meetings
of their union that 1t would better conul-
tions for them If the bosses had some
kind of an agreement to eliminate hawk
ing Of bids. They explained that in
the past the bosses had frequently been
forced to take jobs at such low figures
that they had been unable to pay stand
ard wages, for which reason workmen
were often out of their jobs for weeks
at a time. and often found themselves
in dire straits at Christmas and other
times when the financial drain is heavy.
In response to questions by their at
torneys, William j. Fallon and Nathaniel
Cohen, both defendants testified that
there had not been a single instance in
which an employer had experienced labor
trouble because Of his failure to join
Hettrick's combine. They stated that
they were merely working for their
union in all that they did relating to
Hettricli's outfit. and that they never
had any individual understanding with
Hettrick or any one else regarding his
affairs.
Several character witnesses were
called i'm Doran's behalf. Chapman will
be cross-examined by Henry J.. Stimson,
special prosecutor, when the trial is re-
sumed this morning. Chapman is ac-
cused in another indictment with Robert
r. Brindell Of having participated in the
eXtortion Of $4,000
In opening Hettrick's defence to the
jury early in the day Robert II. Elder,
his chief counsel, declared his client was
mot the master mind of the plumbing
ring" He said he only acted as legal aid
and adviser to the employers.
Mr.. Elder explained. that "many mas
ter plumbers are not educated men" and
that il was found necessary ito protect
the trade from mistakes In estimates.
He said Hettrick's aim was TO bring
about a system OF bidding similar 10
that insisted upon by the Government in
public works contracts.