The New York herald., 1921-01-08
us. TOSCRUTllIE
STEEL, WHITEHEAD
AND CEMENT RINGS
Three Combines to Be First
Under Fire in Coming
Housing Inquiry.
EXTRA GRAND JURIES
Lockwood Quizzers Plan to
Delye Into High Rates Of
Casualty Insurers.
NOT TO DISTURB BUSINESS
Brindell Loses His Supreme
Court Appeal and Will Be
NOT TO DISTURB BUSINESS
Brindell Loses His Supreme
Court Appeal and Will Be
Tried Next Week.

ITlcu NcAC Wcck.
A vigorous Federal investigation into
the steel, cement and white lead com
bines and a searching inquiry by the
Lockwood legislative committee into
the affairs Of the casualty companies
of this city loomed yesterday as vir-
tual certainties.
The former Is expected to prove one
of the most gigantic tasks ever un-
dertaken by Government investigators
as 1t will be directed at some Of the
biggest and most powerful business
groups in the country. Arrangements
for its commencement already have
been made in an agreement whereby
counsel for the Lockwood committee
are to place all Of the evidence which
their body has gathered relating to
steel, cement and white lead at the
disposal of William Rand and Isidors
J. Kresel, Special Deputy Attorneys
General named to launch nationwide
prosecutions against building materials
groups.
Arrangements for the fullest coopera-
tion between the Lockwood committee
and the men who are to direct this Fed
eral proceeding were made at a confer
ence between Mr.. Ranh. Mr. Kresel and
Samuel Untermyer. volunteer chief coun-
sci to the legislative investigators, and it
was learned yesterday that Mr.. Untermyer
had suggested that special arrangements
be made whereby two additional Federal
Grand Juries may be impanelled to de-
vote their time exclusively to these mat
ters
The proposal of the Lockwood commit
tee to throw the searchlight upon tho
casualty companies, 1t was learned yes
terday, Is the result OF report which it
has received to the effect that the rates
charged for workmens compensation in
surance here arc from two to four times
as large as the rates charged in various
other States. According to persons con-
nected with the committee, this matter
will be inquired into because of the ef-
feet Of these heavy rates upon the cost
Of building construction, and efforts will
be made to ascertain whether or not the
rates are the result OF a combination
agreement.
Caution Given Against Alarms.
The matter is scheduled to be taken UP
LIZ - -~tA - L.
vestig Of Insurance and banking In
stitutions for which II Is now asking tho
Legislature to widen the scope Of It's
powers. 1t was said yesterday that the
members of the Lockwood committee and
its counsel have no intention Of causing
an unheaval OF business conditions by a
general investigation of all Of the affairs
OF the life and fire insurance companies
and savings and State banks, and that
persons entertaining fears to this effect
are suffering from undue alarm.
II was explained that the old resoIu-
ton empowering the Lockwood commit
tee to act confines its powers strictly to
an investigation Of the Investments of
these financial institutions. and that the
new resolution empowering II to inquire
into their organization and business at
fairs is merely designed to be used In
connection with conducting a proper ex-
animation along the lines previously au-
thorized.
The Lockwood committee also is
planning, as soon as the Legislature per-
mits II. to resume It's public hearings to
inquire into complaints to the effect that
some companies lending money on bond
and mortgage have been requiring the
or to buy lots in outlying districts as a
condition Of the loan. These matters. IL
was pointed out yesterday, are connected
with the business and affairs" of the
corporations In question, and could not
be investigated under a mere power TO
inquire into their investments.
While these potential inquiries were
occupying much OF the attention of the
investigators yesterday, the Appellate
Division ,f the Supreme Court rendered
It's decision upon the application Of Rob-
ert p. Brindell. indicted s.seG of the
Building Trades Council. for a change
of venue.
Five justices Unanimous.
The Ave Justices unanimously upheld
the decision Of Supreme Court Justice
William p. Burr In denying the change
of venue, and as result of their de-
cision. which was rendered within less
than twenty-four hours after the arg,i-
ment OF the matter. the so-called Gear"
of the building trades unions probably
will be placed on trial before Supreme
Court Justice John v. McAvoy on Tues
day morning.
In connection with this matter Il was
learned yesterday that two men closely
connected with .sin,l~,. rave disnp-
peared. and thar the most thorough
search by investigators has failed TO re-
veal trace OF their whereabouts One
OF them II said to be Richard Pik,1
business agent OF the Portable Hoistlr;,
Engineers Union, for whom an official
search has been going on secretly for
month. and the other Is said 20 be
Roswell ID. Tompkins secretary TO B-!r.
delrs Building Trades Council. who Is
wanted as witness for the state.
Process servers attached to the off
cial staff In the Criminal Courts Build
ing. Il was ascertalned. have been
watching Tompkins's homo night and
day for yev,. Ln an effort TO serve
him with a subpoena, pus .Ns,r vgil has
not been rewarded. A general ararm 10
out for Pike. whose name figured quite
conspicuously IN the public hearings OF
the Lockwood committee at which Bril-
delps doings were examined into.
In finally disposinR OF Brindells legal
battle TO have the trial OF his case taken
out Of ths county In which his offences
are alleged to have been committed Pre-
siding Justice John Proctor Clarke of
the Appellate Division wrote an opinion
In which he upheld the contention Of