Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-19
SHOWN
ACTIVE FOR LAWS
Daily Reports Received on
Bills introduced in New Jer-
sey, Probe Reveals.

Steps taken by the New Jeresy Util-
ity Association to keep in touch with
legislation pending before the State Leg
islature were traced today in the Fed
eral Trade Commissions investigation
of power utilities during testimony by
William H. Roth secretary.
He produced financial records, by
which Robert E. Healy, commission
counsel. disclosed that daily reports of
legislative activities were received, along
with copies of all bills introduced. Cor
respondence also brought out that refer
ences to discussion of matters pending
before the Legislature had been elimi-
natel from mi33-es of the association
nesting.
One letter. w's1tten by Roth in March,
1927, regarJ:>s an increased assessment
for support Of the State public utility
informative committee, described that
committee as having done much good
for utilities generally, especially in the
matter ~ opposing and preventing ad-
verse legislation from getting through"
Benefit From Publicity.
This is matter that we don't adj
vertise for obvious reasons" the letter
continued. The general educational
benefit derived by the utility industry
through the dissemination of facts
through our information committee
cannot be measured in dollars and
cents"
Roth wrote that such committees were
working in SO States to put inforn1a-
ton of all kinds at the disposal of
schools and other institutions, and said
this would bring about a better un-
derstanding of the Importance of the
utility industry. And, as you know, when
a person understands thing he is less
apt to oppose it,"
Healy's examination dwelt particular
ly on the connection with the associa-
ton OF Prof. Theodore j. Grayson, who
Goes extension work for the University
OF pennsylvania. Many small payments
to Grayson were listed in the financial
accounts, and Roth said these were
for expenses in connection, with arrang-
ing and attending meetings for the
association as it's treasurer.
Discussion Report Kept.
He said under questioning. that
GraySon had kept the minutes of the
February, 1925, meeting at Trenton and
had included in them a report of dis
cussion affecting legislation.
Following this, Healy produced let
tiers which showed that Roth had re-
vlsed the minutes to eliminate these
references and that Grayson had ap-
proved the revision. Roth said this
practice was "a policy of the executive
committee"
The financial account showed that
the association contributed $1,000 to
the information committee last April
toward the printing of pamphlets on
utilities intended for school distribu-
ton. Roth testified, however, that he
understood this printed matter had
never been distributed He noted that
the information committee was distinct
from his association, which he said
maintained headquarters in Philadel-
phia.
Copies of Bills Sent.
A letter from Roth to Grayson, Feb
ruary. 1925, said that there were in
closed copies of the bills so far In the
legislature which appear to affect utili-
ties" Described as Senate bill No.
and Assembly bill No. 60, the letter said
the first measure was particularly
bad' and that the second was "also
detrimental to water companies and
might easily be extended to gas and
electric companies if it should be
Roth also wrote to George B. Blanch-
ard OF p. w. Chapman g. Co., Inc,
Chicago, ILL.,. February, 1926, inclosing
notices of bills affecting utilities then
before the New Jersey Legislature. In
reference to Assembly bill so, Roth
said:
What we are doing regarding this
bill has been done for many other bills
In the past few years. There will be
quite number of utility representatives
present at the hearing March /, and
everything possible to prevent the pas
sage of bill No. so will be DONE"
Lighting Official Heard.
When Roth was excused temporarily
A. J. Marshall, New York, secretary
Of the National Electric Light Asso-
citation, took the stand, and Healy ex-
amined him Immediately regarding the
financial accounts IF that organization.
At the outset he inquired concerning
a check for $500 made out to William
Allen White, editor Of the Emporia.
Kans.. Gazette, in May, 1926. Marshall