Evening star., 1928-06-13

chairman of the committee. while Dean
F. c. Bolton was the vice chairman.
The information bureau spent $4,000
to $4,000 year in disseminating ia
vorable publicity among newspapers and
information among the schools, Grant
testified yesterday at the inquiry.
The bureau, the witness said, was
maintained by the joint contributions
of utility companies in the State. A
continuous stream OF articles was sent
to Texas newspapers and to press as
sociations, Grant testified. In addition
to this, the utility companies inaugurated
a speaking campaign by their execu-
tiveS.
Grant said that no Texas educators
were paid by the bureau, but admitted
the utility companies had paid the ex-
penses Of four college professors to an
educational meeting at New Orleans
last Winter. Among the accomplish
ments of his bureau last year Grant
listed the circulation OF $4,000 PAM
phlets dealing with electrical subjects
TO high schools and educators in Texas.
The chief expenditure Of the bureau,
Grant testified, was in furnishing ma
teriai for publication TO newspapers and
newspaper men, the bureau acting on
the principle laid down in Its manual
that ''the newspaper will continue to
be the unfailing agent Of the bureau
and its work"
Questioned by Robert Healy, counsel
for the commission, Grant declared
that payment Of $40 a month to e. K.
Mead, whom he identified as a Dallas,
Tex, Times-Herald employe, had been
made for help Mead gave him in pre-
pairing articles for publication.
Work as Relief Editor.
Grant, who said he had been a re-
lief editor In the Dallas ONCE Of the
Associated Press. where he worked part
time, editing the wire report one night
week, on the regular editors night
of, testified he did this in addition TO
his utilities duties.
II have been employed by the Asso-
ciated Press as q relief editor" he
said. .'and am still on the pay roll for
work on Saturday nights at Dallas"
In that capacity have you written
for the Associated Press service news
Rrticles?" asked Heaiy.
Il have offered the Associated Press
stories, many OF which they have asked
for and most Of which they have used, !"
Grant replied.
Healy introduced in the record with
out comment q letter In which Grant
told Lynch Davidson Of Houston:
I have left the A. p. 70 become di-
rector Of the Texas Public Service In
formation Bureau. ] am, however. still
connected with the Associated Press as
special writer and whenever there Is
anything can put out for you I shall
be glad to do So" Davidson was not
identified.
Industrial Forecast.
In another letter Healy introduced
into the record Grant wrote George
Cottangham. managing editor Of the
Houston Chronicle, that he had pre-
pared an industrial forecast from state
ments Of leading public utility execu~
tiyeg which he believed had some news
value. He added "tfae Associated Press
is handling the story in abbreviated
form"
Healy also introduced letter Grant
write TO II. G. Morris Of the Dallas Gas
Co. in which Grant inclosed an edi-
toriAl ne had written for the Dallas
Timeg- Herald, asking Morris to criti-
cize 1t. He said the Tfmes-Heraid had
asked him to write some editorials be-
cause their regular editorial writer was
on vacation.
Grant was allowed TO insert into the
record number Of communications from
Texas newspaper editors, asking for ma
teriAl on public utility development or
expressing appreciation Of material he
had furnished
Grant declared he had included In
one Of Elis reports to his employers the
statement that while attending the
American Electric Railway Association
meeting In Cleveland he had wired two
stories q day 10 the Associated Press At
Houston for distribution TO Texas news
papers. thus materially helping Texas
street railways"