Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-04
c. 0. SMITH TO HEAD
POWER COMMISSION
Nomination Comes as Sur
prise and Is Not Expected
to Be Opposed.

George Otis Smith, director of the
Geological Survey and member of the
Advisory Board of the Federal Conser-
walton Board, has been named by Presi-
dent Hoover to head the reorganized
Federal Power Commission.
DR.. Smiths nomination, along with
four others chosen by the President for
the new power body, was sent to the
Senate late yesterday afternoon for con-
firmation.
DR.. Smith was named for term on
the commission ending in 1885. The
others nominated are Frank r. Nc
Ninoh of North Carolina, for the term
ending in 1884; Ralph D. Williamson
of washington, for the term ending in
1898; Marcel Garsaud of Louisiana, for
the term ending in 1882. and Claude l..
Draper Of Wyoming, for the term end
ing in 1881. The last three had previ-
onsly received recess appointments.
DR.. Smiths selection to head this
commission came as q complete sur
prise. It is thought that he will meet
with no opposition and that the Senate
will readily confirm him. He is a ma
tive of Maine, but has been a resident
of Washington for nearly 80 years.
Opposition Is Expected.
In the case Of other appointments to
this commission, the impression Is that
there will be opposition to some. All
will be referred TO the Interstate Com
merce Committee, Of which Senator
Couzens, Republican. of Michigan, is
chairman. 1t is expected that this
committee will make thorough inves-
tiga.ion of the records of these nomi-
nees. especially as to their ability and
fitness for the work they will be called
upon to perform, before making re-
port to the Senate.
The indications now are that the
appointee who likely viii receive the
greatest amount of scrutiny is Mr.. Nc
Ninch, a practicing attorney Of Char
lotte, N. c., and formerly mayor Of
that city. He is classified as a Hoover
Democrat, and an Associated Press dis
patch says he was the recognized leader
Of the anti-Smith Democrats who
helped Mr. Hoover carry the State in
the 1923 election. He has bsen chosen
as a Democrat for the Power Com
mission and in view Of this it will not
be unexpected If some Democratic
members take exception to this and
question his regularity when the time
comes for his confirmation.
Senator Overman, Democrat, Of
North Carolina Is seeking to determine
II McNinch is a Democrat. The Sen
ator said he understood the nominee
supported Mr.. Hoover In the 1928 cam
paign
II favor Mr.. McNinch, If he is a
Democrat" said OveYman.
II. also want to make certain Mr..
McNinch and other appointees have no
connection with the power trust" Chair
man Couzens Of the Interstate Com
merce Committee intends to call an
early meeting for consideration OF the
five nominees.
Tariff Commission nominations made
yesterday also are due for extensive
scrutiny.
Contest on Meyer Threatened.
A contest also has been threatened
against Eugene Meyer, Jr., OF New YORK,
whose nomination as governor of the
Federal Reserve Board was received in
the Senate yesterday, but his friends
were confident of early confirmation.
Three of the six members OF the
Tariff Commission were mentioned in
private discussions In the Senate for
particular study by the Finance Com
mittee-Henry p. Fletcher OF Pennsyl-
vania, the chairman; Edgar B. Bros
sard, Republican, Utah, and Alfred P.
Dennis, Democrat. Maryland. The last
two were on the cid commission. The
other three members are; Thomas w
Page of Virginia and Lincoln Dixon OF
Indiana, Democrats, and John Lee
Coulter of North Dakota, Republican