The New York herald., 1922-01-04
GRAND JURY STARTS
ONLOCKWOOD CASES
Untermyer Helps to Select
Its Members in Justice
WasservOgel's Court.
MANY TO BE INDICTED
Committee Tomorrow in
Open Session Will Take Up
Extension of Rent Laws.
GLASS MAKERS DEMCR
Bnilding Trades Council NOti-
fioc Fp,nIououo 80 Tr,,oo
GLASS MAKERS DEMUR
Bnilding Trades Council NOti-
fjcs Employers of Truce,
Latter Failing to Act.


which is to consider evidence obtained
by the Lockwood committee dealing
with abuses in the building trades sit
uation both by employers combina-
tions and by labor unions was sworn
in yesterday by Justice Wasservogel
In the Supreme Court, and the jury
will begin to hear testimony to-mor-
row. Samuel Untermyer. counsel to
the committee, was present and took
a hand in selecting the jurors.
1t is expected that several hundred
additional indictments will be handed
down by this body against various
groups Of building material dealers
and manufacturers, as well as against
individual labor delegates whose unions
have been under scrutiny by the COM
mittee. Robert Appleton, publisher, of
124 East Thirty first street, was chosen
as foreman.
Another development in the building
trade situation which may have a far
reaching effect on the resumption Of
building operations in the spring and
also influence the labor cost of con-
struction occurred yesterday when the
Building Trades Council officially ac-
cepted the proposal made by Mr.. Inter
myer, involving q determination of the
wage scale by the efficiency of labor.
Wage Scales to Continue.
A letter to this effect was sent by
Charles Burns. secretary of the Build
ing Trades Council. to Samuel B. DON
nelly, secretary of the Building Trades
Employers Association, after meet
ing of delegates of .he council at 12 st.
Marks place. In II the labor leaders
agreed to the Untermyer compromise
plan for continuing existing wage scales
throughout 1922 and suggested a con-
ference OF representatives Of the two
organizations to discuss the proposal.
Mr.. Untermyer during the selection
of the special Grand Jury questioned
talesmen particularly as to whether
they had any prejudice against labor
unions. stating that labor men as well
as members OF the employer groups
would be among the defendants OF
several talesmen he asked whether they
knew Robert p. Brindell. former leader
of the Building Trades Council, or any
of its members.
c. w. Lyman, an official of the In
ternational Paper Company, admitted
that he had a prejudice against labor
unions and was excused. as was George
B. Bernheim, who Is in the tanning
business and said he had had severa
disputes with labor organizations
The Lockwood committee will re-
90. nd
one OF the first matters to be consid-
cred will be a report to the State
Legislature regarding the advisability
of extending the emergency rent laws
for another year after they expire No
vember /. 1922. Before making its
recommendation the committee will hear
representatives OF the real estates in
terests. as well as those who have
been active in pleading the cause of the
tenants.
Representatives are expected from the
various rent protective associations
which were formed during the renting
crisis, the Real Estate Board. the Tene-
ment House Department and private
realty corporations.
Shortage Crisis stiII Acute.
The feeling among the members OF
the committee Is that the renting short.
age probably will remain in an acute
stage for some time, and that as q
precautionary measure the laws which
were enacted at a time when living
quarters we're at premium should re-
main on the books for the protection
OF the tenants.
While the Building Trades Council
unqualihedly has accepted the Inter
myer plan. the employers association Is
stil1 holding daily meetings OF its COM
mittee to consider the proposal and a
report is not expected before the enn
OF the week. Some OF the members
were inclined TO look askance on tn.
councils reply. stating that Il was i'm
possible for them to submit the Inter
myer plan to all OF their locals for
ratification within such short time
January 10. was the date. they said
which had been set as the time the
Trades Council would finally report
Following is the letter formally ac-
cepting the Untermyer plan on behalf
of the Building Trades Council as sent
to the Building Trades Employers Asso.
citation:
Your letter OF December 2s has been
carefully considered by the council. We
can only echo everything you have said
regarding the attitude OF the public to-
ward your association and the council.
This has been brought about by the
circulation OF charges that have no
foundation In fact
is