Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-09-28
GOVernor Smith Links Hoover With
Utilities propaganda And Lobby.

GoVernor Smith Links Hoover With
Utilities Propaganda And Lobby.
Governor Smith last Saturday night at
Denver. Colo. associated Herbert Hoover
with the gigantic public utilities lobby in
Washington and the several States. He
declared Mr. Hoover lin sympathy with
the men who attempted to spread propa-
eanda against the progressive idea Of
public ownership and control OF our great
water-power resources"
The Democratic candidate made this
sensational statement in the course Of an
address in which he insisted that Muscle
Shoals be retained under Government
ownership and control and in which he
reiterated his proposition that the SOW
ereisn power Of the State must control
the switch that turns on and of the power.
1t was in this connection that Governor
Smith reviewed the facts regarding the
power lobby long engaged in propasand-
izing legislatures, newspapers and even
public schools throughout the country
against State ownership or control Of pub
lie utilities
And II was in this connection that the
Democratic candidate denounced the ap-
pOintment Of Roy o. West, late attorney
for the insult interests. to be Secretary of
Interior; denounced further the selection
OF H. Edmund Machold. recent official in
public utilities companies. to be Republi-
can State chairman Of New York. and
significantly mentioned the fact that two
OF Mr.. HOOver's official associates had
become managers Of the power lobby,
while third. the counsel for the lobby,
also had become counsel for Mr.. Hoover
at the Kansas City convention.
The Federal Trade Commission, Gov.
Smith asserted, had developed the fact
that Mr.. Hoover knew Of the existence Of
this power lobby intended to influence
Congressional action and legislation
THE lObbv's executive director. Judge
Davis. the Governor continued. was form
erly Assistant Secretary Of Commerce under
Mr.. Hoover at salary Of $4,000 year.
He resigned to accept $4,000 as execu-
tive director Of the joint committee.
AT the request of Mr.. Hoover" Gov.
Smith quoted Philip H. Gadsden, vice.
chairman Of the joint committee, as say
ing, he Davis was released by our COM
mittee so he could act as chairman Of the
international Radio Commission. but from
now on he is going to be with US
Gov. Smith added this:
1T Is worthy Of note that Paul S. Clapp
became secretary Of the joint committee
(the power lobby. Mr.. Clapp testified
that he was a secretary of Mr.. Hoover 9
and was also secretary of Mr.. HOover's
Eastern superpower conference"
Then this:
1T Is also significant to note that upon
the recommendation Of Judge Davis former
Senator LenroOt was retained by the joint
committee. Lenroot was Mr.. Hoover 9
counsel at the Kansas City convention in
the contests over Southern delegates"
Before launching these charges against
his opponent Gov. Smith declared the Re-
publican nominee had been silent on all
water-power issues. that the Republican
platform was meaningless upon them and
insisted that the friends Of public owner
ship and public control must cast their
lot with the Democratic party"
After launching the attacks Gov. Smith
challenged his opponent to define to the
people Of our country his stand on this
issue. have demonstrated that the Re.
publican candidate for President expresses
NO views upon the subject.
Gov. Smith went to Colorado to make
his speech on water power and related
issues II is in that part of the West that
there is greater immediate interest In Fed.
eral water-power development than in
any other. For example, seven States are
vitality interested in the future of Boulder
Dam. about which Mr.. Hoover has said
nothing, as Gov. Smith pointed out, excep,
that he favors building as high a dam as
the engineers will recommend.
when legislation finally passes through
Congress" Gov. Smith said on his part. 81
want to see ii produce a dam and not a
controversy"
Mr.. Hoover. the Democratic candidate
asserted. had remained mysteriously silent
on Muscle Shoals. Maybe. Gov. Smith
added. because President Coolidge did no,
regard that project as Of any importance.
As to Muscle Shoals" the Democratic
nominee stated on his own account, {.
believe the Government should continue
the full and complete development of the
plant, Setainine it under Government own
ership and control"
Referring to the Republican platform
and the Republican candidates speech Of
acceptance on the general policy Of power
development, Governor Smith declared
neither contained single word on that
question.
For himself, Smith said. "Ihave declared
for guarantee Of reasonable rates and
equitable distribution, for the ownership
by the Federal Government or the State Of
the power sites and generating plants, -
adding however. that this does not require
the National or State Government to en-
gage in the business Of distributing cleo.
trical energy"
In this direct manner Governor Smith set
forth his water power policy before an au-
dianca which nacked the nanva. A,,A,..
rum. He arrived in COlorados capital from
Oklahoma at II O'Clock in the morning.
Another vast crowd was on hand to well
come him.
just how many people there were on the
mile march from Denvers Union Station
10 the hotel nobody would venture to guess.
II seemed that all the city and part Of the