Evening star., 1928-04-29
PRODERS MAY CALL
PROMINENT MEN
Federal Trade Commission
Considers Summoning Many
in Power Inquiry.

BY the Associated Press.
The Federal Trade Commission has
under consideration plans for summon
ing men prominent in politics and pub
lie utilities. mentioned III the power
financing investigation thac has dis
closed connections of utility publicity
organizations 10 the industry. educa-
tional institutions, the press and numer-
Gus businesses.
TWO witnesses are to appear Wednes-
day when the hearings are resumed
Robert r. Hcaly, chief counsel Of the
commission announced yesterday Clar-
ence A. Willard Of Hartford. secretary
of the Connecticut Committee on Pub
lie Service Information. Is 10 testify as
10 his organizations activities. A. Bliss
McCrum of Charleston, secretary OF the
West Virginia Public Utility Informa-
ton Committee. was summoned In con-
nection with correspondence with
George r. Oxley of New York informa-
ton director OF the National Electric
Light Association, relative to activities
on legislation.
Studies Activities of Leaders.
Although directing its attention pri-
marily TO obtaining as much docu"
mentary evidence as possible IN order
to lay basis for further investigation.
the commission is Scrutinizing the ac-
tiyities OF many men whose names fig
ured prominently in the past week In
the disclosures OF the expenditures OF
the iont committee of National Utilities
Associations and the National Electric
Light Association.
Former Governors Nj G.. Mechem OF
New Mexico and James @. Scrusfam
OF Nevada, former Senator Irvine l..
Lenroot OF Wisconsin. who were listed
on the accounts OF the joint committee,
George g. Cortelyou OF New YORK.
president OF the Consolidated Gas Co..
and George B. Chadler OF Columbus,
secretary OF the Ohio Chamber OF Com
merce, are expected 10 be summoned
as witnesses.
Eyiuence was introduced that these
men had been active on the Swing
Johnson Boulder Canyon Dam biil.
Mechem of the firm OF Mechem &
Vellacott, Albuquerque, received $5,299
from the committee for observing con
ferences OF the Colorado River Basin
States governors and signed Boulder
Dam pact at Denver, but Stephen b.
Davis and Cortelyou a month after he
mittee, testified that Mechem was not
representing New Mexico
gcrugham received 5000 as expense
money TO confer in Washington with
Davis and Cartelyou month after ne
made a report To Secretary Work as
member Of the impartial board OF re-
view on Boulder Dam
Lenroot Got seO.OOO.
Ienroot was paid $40 900 by the COM
mlttee to oppose the Walsh resolution
for senatorial investigation OF utili-
ties. Chandler led a campaign 10 have
IS state chambers OF commerce oppose
the Swing johnson bin,
Several writer's OF public utility pub
licity. whose names have been men,
toned frequently IN the hearings, are
expected to be sttmmoned Among
them are Or Frank Bohn. who edited
a pamphlet written by Richard WASH
burn Child opposing Boulder Dam; &.
o. Ruggles OF Ohio University, author
Of textbook suggested by utility IN
terests, and Ernest Greenwood OF Wash.
ington, author of Aladdin, u. &, A.. "
widely circulated by utility associations
An offer made by David Lawrence,
Washington newspaper man. TO conduct
a Sl52 900 advertising campaign for the
Joint committee Is being studied by the
commissions legal stan, although II
was not accepted by the committee,
The extensive fight waged by the
utility associations against Government
ownership. their contributions to edl.
eational institutions, The assistance
given college professors and the publi'
city used Ia influence newspaper editors
| and numerous other activities are to be
further inquired into In the hearings
yeat
After the publicity organizations IN
vestigation viii be directed into the big
power companies, their contributions
and publicity methods,