The Washington times., 1920-10-18

ON GAS STOCK
Request for Disqualification Of
Commissioners Later With
drawn by Clayton.

Challenging the right Of J. Thil-
man Hendricks to sit as member
of the Public Utilities Commission
In hearing the petition of the Wash
ington Gaslight Company for an in
crease in rates, William Mex. Clay
ton, counsel for the Federation Of
Citizens Association, contended this
morning that the District Commits
sioner, as owner Of 2,3l8 shares Of
the company's stock, is disqualified
under the Public Utilities act.
CALLS FOR Showdown"
Mr.. Ciayton's objections. made St
the opening OF the hearing this
morning In the presence OF the three
District Commissioners. called for .
"show down" which was promptly
met by Commissioner Hendricks. who
laid his cards upon the table.
Admitting that at one time he did
own that amount OF stock In the
Washington Gasiight Company. Mr..
Hendrick in reply to the charge, de-
clared frankly that he had trans
ferred the 2.3ls shares OF stock on
September 1S. last, to Charles i.
Corby.
hCn IhAoC Vim
declaration, repeating further that he
did not longer own any shares of
stock in the company. Mr.. Clayton
withdrew his objection.
This did not satisfy Commissioner
Kutz. who demanded of Clayton II
he still insisted that rs q one time
owner Of stock Hendrick was dis
qualified to participate in any other
future hearings In connection with
the Gaslight Company. Mr.. Clay
ton replied that he would remove
his objection that under the law
Commi ssioner Hendrick would be
thus disqualified. He insisted, how
ever that he had done his duty in
bringing up the question of stock
ownership and that II was 'far bet
ter to have IL aired here" than to
have fnsinuations go the round of
"washington's underground chan
nels."
MISS BOARDMAN PRESENT.
1t was the first time in many
years that the right of member
to sit on the Public Utilities Com
mi ssion had been thus challenged at
a public hearing. 1t was also the
first hearing at which Commissioner
Hendrick and Commissioner Board
man had participated
After listening quietly to the pro-
tests that he was disqualified to sit
with, the Public Utilities Commits
sioner because he owned more stock
in the Washington Gashght Com
pany than the president OF the com
pany himself" Mr.. Hendriek said
that he had nothing to conceal"
He declared that from time to
time he had purchased shares OF the
company's stock In his own name for
himself as well as for his customers.
He said that when his appointment
as District Commissioner was rendered
him he did have 2,31S shares of stock
In his own name.
CLAIMS 100000 LOSS.
According to MIR. Hendrick, he
bought this stock at SIS share.
When he received his appointment, he
worth half its original value. to Mr..
Corey at loss to himself of more
than 100000. He said frankly that
the stock had been delivered before
he took office and that he had de-
layed taking office, in fact. until he
had disposed Of It.
Realizing that "his record was
Clean" he said that powers higher
up had been informed of his stock
holdings before his appointment and
also had been Informed of the loss he
had incurred in disposing of them.
Mr.. Clayton, previous to this state
ment, had claimed that the law dis
qualified anyone sitting on the com
mission who had any interest direct
ly or indirectly" in a public utility.
He claimed further. that Mr.. Hendrick
as former owner OF stock and as
heavy loser. would be an Inter
ested party" in any hearing that CEN
tered on an increase in rates for the
Washington Gas Light Company.