The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-07-30
CABINET fight
FACED; west
IS insult man
Senate Inquiry Forecast on
New Secretary of
Interior.
LONG WITH UTILITY KING
Coolidge Appointee Could
Use Power to Block Big
Public Benefits.
LONG WITH UTILITY KING
BY LEO r. SACK
Times Special Correspondent

WADI14ANG LIN July oO.-DS-
cause he has been identified closely
with Samuel insult, nultimillion-
aire public utilities operator, since
1897, the Senate likely will make a
thorough investigation of the quail
f1cations of Roy o. West of Chica-
go for secretary of the interior.
West, former vice chairma-- of the
finance committee of the Republic
an national committee, was named
ten days ago by President Coolidge
to succeed Dr. Hubert Work, who
resigned to become chairman of the
Republican national committee.
West now is serving under re-
cess appointment, subject to con-
firmation or rejection by the Senate.
Quizzed by Jim Reed
West, who was active in the Illi-
nois Republican primary of 1926, at
which Frank L. Smith was nomi-
mated for the Senate, was a wit
ness before Senator James A.
Reeds committee in Chicago on
June 81, 1926.
insult had testified that he con-
tributed $125,000 to the campaign of
Smith, who later was refused adj
mission to the Senate, and $4,000
to the campaign fund of George
Brennan, the Democratic nominee.
During his testimony, West said
under OATH
I'm 1897 became one of the at
torneys of the Commonwealth Edi-
son Company, trying law suits. The
company was very small It was the
Chicago Edison Company then. I
began investing with Mr. insult in
what was then the Edison Company
and then in his Middle West Util-
tiles, which he later organized, and
also in his Public Service Company,
which he later organized.
Holds Heavy Investments
'I have had investments in those
companies since, as has my wife anu
has my mother. We have increased
our holdings along in increases i'll
stock, and we now have very sub
stantial holdings in those three
companies.
''I always have conferred with Mr.
insult as to investments, particu-
larly concerning his own compa
nies and as to politics, during these
twenty-five or more years-twenty-
eight years-twenty- years"
West then testified that he and
insult discussed the senatorial cam
paign but that he did not 60 along
with Iasull in support of Smith
West was identified with the Deneen
faction.
West told Senator Reed: "I believe
in Mr.. insult very thoroughly-in his
business judgment"
As an investor you think he is a
succeSs?" Reed inquired.
"I do"
"I do, too. I say that respect
fully" Reed continued.
Hazy On Company
"He is supposed to be the great
est operator of utility properties in
the world" West said.
Reed asked West about the Mid
die West Securities Company, in
which he is an investor. West was
somewhat hazy as to the specific
activities of this concern.
"I have such confidence in Mr.. IN
Sull as an operator of utilities prop
critics that have made very sub
stantial investments with him, with
out inquiring into very many de-
tails" he said.
Unless Vests nomination is re-
jected, he may be able to block
government construction of Boulder
Dam. This is one of the ends toward
which private power interests are
bending their energies.
May Block Passage
West will direct activities of a new
iy named commission to investigate
engineering aspects of this project.
If he should submit adverse recon-
mendations to Congress, the bill,
now within a few steps Of passage,
might have harder road.
AS Secretary of Interior, West has
control of all Indian power sites, and
granting of all rights of way to
power companies across public land.
He also becomes, by virtue of his
office, a member of the Federal
Power commission, which grants
licenses and permits to private
companies for use Of all power
sites.