The New York herald., 1921-09-22
UNTERMYER IS KEEN
TO RESUME inquiry
Returns From Europe to Find
Plans Upset by Lockwo0d's
Candidacy for Comptroller.
SILENT ON DUCAL ESTATE
Refuses to Talk Of $40O,00O,-
900 Syndicate-May Start
Statewide Campaign.
SILENT ON DUCAL ESTATE


Samuel Untermyer, volunteer coun-
sci to the Lockwood legislative COM
mittee investigating housing, who has
been in Europe for three months, re-
turned yesterday aboard the White
Star liner Olympic. Mr.. Untermyer
would say nothing concerning the de-
tails of several matters in litigation in
which he is known to be acting as
counsel, but he gave out statement
concerning affairs of the Lockwood
committee, as he has viewed them
from abroad, and let it be known that
in all probability the public hearings
of the committee will not be resumed
until after election.
Mr.. Untermyer was equally silent
concerning the negotiations under
which a branch Of the House of Haps-
burg-the family of Archduke Fred
erick Of Austria and his son. Archduke
Albrecht-was to turn over to a syndi-
cate Of prominent Americans land and
industrial holdings, including the ia
nous Albertina art collection in VI
emma, and totalling approximately
s4O0. 10000 in value, on the basis OF
pre-war appraisal. Mr.. Untermyer said
that until he talked with J. Leonard
| Replogle, Frank A. Munsey and the
other members of the syndicate he
| would have no statement to make.
Wants Lockwood I'm Senate.
Mr.. Untermyer was keen for news OF
developments from the Lockwood COM
mittee's disclosures here and In Buffalo,
since his departure. He has been in
fairly constant communication with Sem
ator Lockwood. chairman OF the COM
mittee. who is the experimentation
nominee for Comptroller.
This candidacy. and in the event Of
his election Senator Lockwood's retire
ment from the committee. Is a matter OF
keen disappointment to Mr.. Untermyer.
He believes Senator Lockwood can be OF
greater service in the Senate. and there
were hints yesterday that persuasive
methods might be used on Senator Lock-
wood to have him withdraw from the
race for Comptroller. Mr.. Untermyer.
however, would not confirm these re-
ports Senator Lockwood characterized
them as ridiculous and pointed out that
he could not retire after the primaries,
even should he be SO disposed.
Mr.. Unternyer. however. let 1t be
known that he will advise against any
resumption Of the committees public
hearings until after election. The COM
mittce's work has been of a non-par-
tisan character. and ne intends to keep
It so. In this Mr.. Untermyer and Sem
ator Lockwood are In accord, despite the
fact as THE NEW YORK HERALD learned
yesterday some matters of considerable
Importance have developed In the sub
committee hearings conducted during
Mr. Untermyer's absence. This may
necessitate an immediate resumption OF
the hearings. but II this course Is fol-
lowed Senator Lockwood announced
that he would take no part in the COM
mittee's activities while he Is candi-
date. Senator Lockwood and Mr.. I'm
ternyer will confer to-day on this phase
OF the situation.
His Political Programme.
Mr. Untermyer was asked whether, in
view of his Intimate association with
Senator Lockwood. he would take the
stump for the Curran-Lockwood-Gi -Gilroy
municipal ticket. In reply he gave out
prepared statement in which he an
nounces that the developments may
compel him 10 institute a Statewide
campaign against candidates for the
Legislature who will not commit them
selves in favor OF the legislation the
Lockwood committee will recommend
Mr. Untermyer's statement said:
II have been so long out of touch with
| the situation I an, unable to say what
part if any ! shall take In the local
campaign until have looked over the
! field.
MY first duty is to the task in hand
for the Lockwood committee, which Is
| about to reach the crucial stage of for
| mulating legislation. 1t must be kept
out OF politics as II has been kept out
from the beginning That may or may
not involve delaying the resumption OF
the hearings until after the election.
We shall need all the support we can
get from the men In both parties.
THE insidious subterranean influence
Of the all-powerful life and fire lnsur-
snce companies interests. with their ex-
perienced lobbies. and of the great In
dustrial combinations will be no easy
task to overcome. For months during
my absence they have had their pub
licity bureaus working overtime. and
their guns are trained upon us. Already
the fire insurance companies have spent
hundreds Of thousands OF dollars that
should have gone in reduction OF rates
In preliminary skrmish In the form
of a countrywide advertising campaign
Continued on siath Page.