Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-17
POWER INDUSTRY
STRENGTH SHOWS
Defeat of Walsh Probe Seen
as Revealing Pressure
Brought on Senators.

The most significant debate and roll
call In the present Congress has just
been concluded. The power industry
was determined that it would not be
investigated by Senate. Walsh Of Mon
tana. Democrat. who had made the
statement ;ra; very few Of the holding
companies could stand an investigation.
And the power industry succeeded
through its friends i'll the Senate III
sending tile resolution OF inquiry to the
Federal Trade Commission. where. III
the opinion of Mr. Walsh, the resolution
will in effect be killed. because he says
al opinion Of the Attorney General
already has been rendered which will
prevent the commission from making
blanket Investigations for either house
o. Congress.
The casualties Of the fight which was
ore Of the most notable in the present
generation. were numerous, The effects
nigh; be listed as follows:
First, the presidential candidacy Of
Mr. Walsh was dealt a body blow. Men
like Senator Helm Of Alabama. Demo-
GRAFT. voted against the Walsh resolution
because they believed il might give Mr. .
Walsh too much OF the spotlight"
which he already occupies in connec-
ton with the Teapot Dome inquiry.
Second. personal bitterness has been
engen6ered which vii! influence the
course Of important legislation. The
Democratic party II the Senate has
rarely been aS torn as il IS today as
result CT the fight or the utilities reso-
luton.
Inquiry Gains Impetus.
Third. the movement toward an in
ves'jEatioil Of the pubic utility industry.
which micht have died a slow death ii
s.,-~ .,,fffcF has
gained impetus, and even i the Federal
Trade Commission does make an IN
yesticat!on II now seems q toregone
conclusion that legislation looking to-
ward Federal regulation Of utilities has
been brought nearer the agitation stage
TRAN il was before the debate began.
Fourth Several Of the men who voted
OF the side CT the power industry Will
face local political battles based on
their unwillingress 10 stand by tie
radical group IN the Senate.
Fifth So far as presidential canoi-
6scies are concerned. Senator Willis Of
Ohio. Senator Curtis Of Kansas. both
Republicans, and Senator Robinson OF
Arkansas and Senator George OF
Georgia lined Up with the coHServa
tire group il defeating the Walsh reso-
luton. Senator Bruce OF Maryland
openly tainted Senator Walsh with the
suggestion tina; ne was hoping the
Democrats would shift at the Houston
convention from wet" Catholic IKE
Al Smith TO dry" Catholic like the
Montana Senator.
Jealeusies Figure i'm Breaks.
There is no question that political F!
tealousies had something 10 do with the
division On the Democratic side. but
this factor was only one Of q number
which brought about the first decisive
defeat the 'progressives'' have suffered
In this session Of Congress. Senator |
Borah Of Idaho said the utility industry
should have been investigated long ago. |
Senator Howell of Nebraska. Republic
can. denied he was for Government
ownership. but declared that munich
pally-ovned plants had to be used as
o lever 10 get lower electric light rates.
Senator Blaine Of Wisconsin wanted 10
know if Senator Copeland OF New York.
Democrat. spoke for Al Smith. who has
beer known 10 have antagonized the
power interests in New York State. Mr..
Copeland fought the Walsh resolution.
Altogether 1t was one OF the most
violent struggles on the floor OF the
Senate in recent years and reminded
one of the battle wage6 b. the railroads
before they finally were brought under
Federal regulation Senator La Toilette
Of Wisconsin on learning the effective
way the utility industry had lined UP
the vote against the Walsh resolution !
remarked that the roll-csll would yield
more fatalities than the vote on the |
Eevberry resolution and that opponents /
Of men now IL the Senate would fn6 !
plenty Of ammunition In the primaries. !
Eumerx Of Funds Heard.
To Offset this effort tn nunish those 4.
who voted with the industry a story