New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-06
Brindell Calls
Strike From
Prison Cell
Convicted Building Trades
Leader Halts Millions of
Dollars Worth of City
Pier and Harbor Work
To Rule From Sing Sing
trusted Lieuienants. Serving
as Regents, Execute Orders
He Gave in the Tombs

From behind the prison walls at
Sing Sing Robert P Brindell plans to
continue to WELD the great power he
dustry.
He eXerted this power successfully,
1t vas learned yesterday, during his
confinement in the Tombs after his
conviction for extortion on Vebruary
3. 1t is a matter Of speculation among
the builders of the city as to what
extent he will be able to direct the
activities Of the $4,000 workers in
the industry from mis- new ofice-a
cell at the state prison.
Developments have shown, it was
pointed out by men high in the in
dustry, that Brindell is still force
TO be reckoned with. The tie-up Of all
work on the five piers under construc-
tion for the city st Stapleton, S. l.,
within the last week, it was asserted,
was at the suggestion and direction
of the labor king while confined in
the Tombs.
Crowley New Regent
But what is considered of greater
significance is the fact chat the Build
ing Trades Council, the organization
through which Brindell ruled the trade
with an iron hand, survives. Patrick
Crowley. former vice president and one
of Brindell's chief lieutenants, yes
terday was chosen as its regent, prac-
tically assuring the continuance Of the
policies which have prevailed since
Brindell got control of the organiza-
tion in December. 1919.
Crowley, like Brindell, was given a
Tree hand to choose the nine members
of the executive committee from
among the 100 delegates of the coun-
ell, and will present their names for
ratlflcation at another meeting Of the
council next Tuesday. Thomas B.
Clark. business agent of the Inside
Electrical Workers Union, Local No.
8, was chosen vice president, and
Peter A. Cassidy, business agent Of the
Cement and Concrete Workers. Local
No. 20, was selected as sergeant-at-
arms.
1t is the trouble dockbuilders are
having with their operations on the
five Staten Island city piers that has
tephHl'iceu tltin lnat Brlndell is still
the power behind the throne Henry
G. Hunter, counsel for the CONTRACTING
Dockbuilders Association, told how
or Tuesday last the cement workers on
one of the piers went on strike, despite
the fact that they we're Being paid
$3.50 day of eight hours. This, de-
ciared Mr. Hunter, was more than the
prevailing rate in this district, which
ranges from so to as cents an hour
The cement men have demanded $3.50
Saw Brindell, Then Struck
When refused the higher rate they
walked out. The next day, while no
reductions had been made in the pay
of the engineers or dockbuilders, says
Nr. Hunter, they too went on strike
! tieing up more than S1,000,000 worth
of work on FIVE pier operations. Mat
thew McConville a delegate of the
Hosting Engineers Union, and John
Ryan, business agent of the Dock and
Pier Carpenters Union, are said to
have ordered the ipen out after con-
sultation with Brindell
Both McConville's and Ryan's names
we're frequently mentioned in the
course of the Lockwood committees in
vestigation of the housing situation
and they were recognized intimates
of the labor leader. Ryan, it is under
stood, is now the practical head Of the
mod eInht