New-York tribune., 1921-02-09
Union Leader Sentenced
TO Hard Labor After
Several Motions for a
Retrial Are Denie q
10 Days Granted
For Other Pleas
Hettrick Conspiracy Case
Opened and 8 Jurors
Selected i'm Few Hours

Robert +. Brindell, the labor leader
convicted last week of exto "tion. was
yesterday sentenced to not less than
five and not more than ten wears at
hard labor in Sing Sing prison With
allowances under the law for work"
and coed behavior he. may reduce the
minimum period of Imprisonment to
about four years.
In imposing sentence Supreme Court
Justice McAvoy granted counsel for
the defendant an interim of ten days
within which to make motions for an
appeal. During this time Brindell will
be confined in the Tombs.
In desperate effort to ward off the
pronouncement Martin w. Littleton
counsel for the labor leader, asked
for Nn arrest of judgment and made q
motion for new trial on the ground
that the verdict was contrary to law;
that it was against the evidence; that
the court had no jurisdiction, and
other technical reasons. These mo-
tions were denied
Still Fights for Retrial
Nj. Littleton said he would try to
obtain q certificate of reasonable doubt
during the ten days stay, on the basis
Of which he will make an effort to have
the case retired and Brindel' released
on bail.
A moment after the labor cars fate
had been sealed he was followed or
the prisoners stand by John T. Hct-
trick, the alleged originator of the
"code Of practice" scheme of collusive
.dding 1t was the beginning of Het-
tricks trial. together with that OF
three co-defendants, on the charge o1
conspiracy and coercion in restraint !
trade. The proceedings in the case
only got as far as the selection 81
eight jurors.
Brindell was led into court at 10:3t
a. M, having been escorted from the
Tonbs by Sheriff Knott and deputy
He took his stand before the bar. be
tween the Sheriff and John j. O'Con-
nor one of his attorneys. His face
seemed pasty, and the flesh sagged un
der his eyes: His fingers moved nelv
ous1Y over the railing when he stood
"Robert P. Brindell," Justice Nc
TO the court why Judgment should moi
Brindell Stands Unmoved
Brindeil stood unmoved, facing the
Judge Mr.. Littlcton then made his
several motions. He emphasized par
ticularly that the indictment charged
Brindell with taking money September
20. 1920, from Max Aronson, as head
of "the 235 West Thirty-sixth Street
Corporation" while the evidence
- ! 4 l,c
solved in July 1920.
When these motions were denied
Samuel UnteYmyer, who prosecuted the
case for the state, asked that the ex-
tneme penalty of the law be imposed
Looking at the subject matter most
impartially." he said, al am unable tc
find any mitigating circumstances"
Justice McAvoy then pronounced
sentence as follows:
"Tho judgment of the court against
you Robert P. Brindell, for the crime
of extortion, is ten days after this
sentencing you will be delivered from
the custody of the Sheriff at the
county prison to the state prison, SING
Sing. to be imprisoned there at hard
labor for the minimum Of five years
and the maximum Of ten years"
Brindell listened to the judgment
with eyes lowered. At it's close O'Con.
nor leaned over and whispered a few
words, whereupon Brindell displayed Z
sickly smile.
On his way to the ToInbs Brindel
was given an ovation by 300 union mer
and associates gathered in the. halls
and on the stairs leading to the Bridge
Of Sighs. The stairways at the top OF
the first mezzanine floor are barre
with eollapsible gates.
As Brindell got behind the gates the
crowd rushed forward and cheered him
time and again. Several men extended
their hands through the grating in ar
effort to shake hands with the prisoner
while others cried encoura gingly tc
him: Don't worry, Bob, Wen get you
out" "Never mind. Bob. you'll beat the
case yet" Once or twice BIindel
ooked around and smiled.
Three Accused With Hettrick
Hettrick is being tried with William
j. Doran, head of the United Associa.
tion of Plumbers and steamfitteTs; Will
iam H. Chapman, businss agent of the
same organization. and Herbert Smith
of Hamlin & Smith, member of the
Master Plumbers Association. They
(Continued on psss hvs)