The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-02-20
CHRISTIAN
G|VES(JP
JOB
Name Withdrawn by Coolidge
on Request for Federal Trade
Commission Position.

President Coolidge today agreed
to withdraw from the Senate the
nomination Of George B. Christian,
jr., secretary To the late President
Harding, as a member Of the Fed
eral Trade Commission.
Intimidation Charged.
Christians appointment was op.
posed by Democrats and pro-
gressive Republicans in the Sen.
ate on the ground he was not
fitted for the post. A few days
ago charges were made by mem.
bers of the commission that Chris.
tan had sought to ''intimidate
them" against issuing a complaint
against Famous-Players-Lasky Film
Co.
Withdrawal of Christians name
is at his own request, it was stated
at the White House.
Christian had been summoned
to appear before the Senate Com.
merce Committee this week to de.
fend himself against the charges.
and to inform the committee con-
corning his qualifications for the
$4,000 post.
Not desiring to appear, Christian
asked President Coolidge to with.
draw the nomination.
Explains Film Case.
Christians letter to the President
follows:
Dear Mr.. President: You are
aware of my deep appreciation Of
the confidence in me evidenced nv
your nominating me to the Senate
as member of the Federal Trade
commission. When I informed Won
that this appointment would he both
acceptable and gratifying I believed
1t would afford an opportunity for
the rendition of real service and
the doing of constructive work.
since you sent my name to The
Senate, Mr.. Huston THOMPSON. a
member of the Federal Trade Com.
mission, has appeared before the
Senate Interstate Commerce Com.
mittee and informed that body in
substance that in May, 1921, I had
maze inquiries of him with respect
TO the commissions proceedings
against the Famous Players.Lasky
Corporation in such a way as to
convey the impression that / was
endeavoring to interfere with or
influence their proceedings.
In view of the facts, Mr.. Thomp.
sons impression, Of our conference
has amazed me. I called Mr..
thompson to the Executive office
In the performance of my official
duty solely, and for the sole pur.
pose OF securing information as to
the status Of this case. I frankly
stated to him that representations
had been made that this company
was under investigation and that a
hearing had been denied them. I
further stated l knew nothing of
the methods of procedure of the
commission or its rules of practice.
and asked him for the facts. Mr..
Thompson was most courteous and
painstaking in explaining the com.
missions procedure to me, and that
explanation made it perfectly plain
that the company involved had no
reason whatever to apprehend that
any Governmental action respecting
it would be taken without the full.
est opportunity to protect it's rights.
l made no request of Mr.. Thomu.
son, l made no suggestions, and
voiced no criticisms. I expressed
my appreciation for his coming to
the office and thanked him for the
information.
"Of course. Mr.. President, I
should be very reluctant to serve
on a commission, a member of
which was objecting to my appoint
ment, so respectfully request YOU
to withdraw my name from con.
|sideration. of the Senate.
II am sure it will please you to
know that have very desirable
and agreeable business association.
which holds every prospect of Civ.
ing me an opportunity for useful
services and future success.