Evening star., 1928-05-29
POWER men TOLD
OF COMING PROBE
Utilities Counsel, Wired of In.
quiry, MarshaIed Lawyers
Here, Senators Learn.
by the Associated Press.

kilograms went scurrying out from
washington, 1t was disclosed today in
the Federal Trade Commissions inquiry
into power utility financing, as soon as
the Senate had ordered the inveStiga-
tion.
They dealt with marshaling of law
yers, and interest in who would conduct
the inquiry as we'll as the presiding off,
Ger, and were sent by Josiah r. New
comb, consul general for the joint COM
mittee Of National Utilities Associations,
to long list of individuals.
The kilograms showed that Newcomb
marshaled % lawyers in Washington
February 90. 1923, four days after the
Walsh resolution had been referred to
the Federal Trade Commission.
Newcomb notified the executive COM
mittee of his organization that Commits
sioner Edgar A. McCulloch, former
member of the Arkansas Supreme Court,
had been designated to preside at the
investigation.
He also notified heads Of power COM
panies in Arkansas OF this appointment.
Checked Lenroot Brief.
The kilograms revealed that the utility
interests went to great pains to have at
torneys inspect the brief that was SUBJ
sequently filed by former Senator Irving
l.. Lenroot with the Senate interstate
commerce committee, which was con-
sidering the Walsh resolution
One OF Newcomb's kilograms, sent to
The members Of the executive committee.
including George B. Cortelyou of the
Consolidated Gas Co. Of New York,
Philip H. Gadsden Of the United Gas
Improvement Co. of Philadelphia and
Martin J. insult of the Middle West
Utilities Co. of Chicago. read
Federal Trade Commission an
nounceS designation McCulloci to pre-
side at utility inquiry hearings. Robert
z. Healy, chief counsel, TO conduct
hearings. Not yet determined when
hearings will begin. Think probably
associations (publicity) will be asked
for data preliminary to hearings. No
further action probable until Monday.
No subpoenas issued as yet" The mes
sage was dated February 90.
Work in Northwest.
Completing its examination of New
comb. the commission turned to utility
activities in Minnesota and the Dako-
tas. calling John w. Lapham, executive
secretary OF the information bureau of
the North Central Electric Association.
He SAID his committee spends from
$4,000 TO $4,000 annually and re-
ceives the money from member COM
panieS. Only one news bulletin had
been issued, he said, of which l.i00
copies were sent 10 members and news
papers.
Included in the associations MEM
bership list were Profs. w. T. RYAN
and <. II. Stewart of the University
OF Minnesota and Ralph T. Patty and
Harold Crothers of the South Dakota
State College. Lapham said Ryan. a
professor OF electrical engineering. was
chairman OF the associations educa-
tional committee
Lapham testified that Prof. RYAN
VINO teaches utility course at the uni
verSlty, In 1925 suggested to him that
the National Electric Light Association
sponsor the establishment of public
utility courses in colleges throughout
the country.
Sought More Aid.
A letter from Ryan to Laphau was
introduced in that connection, in which
he wrote.
Il would like to see the National
Electric Light Association Cooperate on
a larger scale with the engineering
schools in giving courses having to do
with public utilities, particularly pub
lie utility economies =
Lapham said his organization had
paid the expenses of Prof Ryan to at
tend meeting In Chicago in January.
1927, called by Carl D. jackson. chair
man OF the National Electric Light As
sociation's committee on cooperation
with educational institutions. In let
ter dated December 16, 1925. Ryan
wrote Lapham that he I1esitated TO
''again ask your organization to pay my
travelling expenses" but that il the or
ganization could pay them he would
accept.
He wrote that he thought Jackson
would have some constructive ideas m
cooperation with educational !nstitu-
tions
The witness said his organization had
succeeded in having short courses on
public utility problems established at
the University Of Minnesota and other
institutions in his territory for the en-
ployes Of power concerns.
Lapham said the text book used III
North and South Dakota and Mime
sofa schools had not been surveyed by
his organization. but added that he un-
derstood they would be examined in the
future by the National Electric Light
Association.
He said that power executives had
made addresses to engineering stu
dents at the University Of Minnesota
on utility subjects.
A disclosure late In the hearing yes
terday, while the New York situation
was under scrutiny, was that the Ma
tional Electric Light Association had
sponsored nationwide survey Of text
books with the purpose Of revising them
II necessary In their relation to the
industry
Fred w crone Of New York. director
of the New York State committee on
public utility information, and Charles
RI. b. Chaplin OF New York, secretary
of the Empire State Gas and Electric
Association, were the witnesses.
Chaplin testified that a committee
from his organization had appeared
before the New York Board Of Edu-
cation in an effort to have public
utility courses placed in the schools.
and that a number Of college profess
sors had received payments for radio
and other talks In behalf Of the utilities,
He said that his organization spent
about S33 900 a year.
fspoVe Tavaaiad that EtnrR 1870 hia