Evening star., 1934-03-16
n. R. A. CALLS WIRE
FIRMS T0F|X CODE
Dill Proposes Senate Probe
of A. at. monopoly"
During Summer.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
All telegraph companies were put
on call today by the N. R. A. to ap-
pear here early next week to help
work out and accept a code for their
industry.
Exercise of this seldom-used N. r.
A. power-demanding that group
accept a code-was taken just as a
Senate investigation of the American
Telephone & Telegraph Co. was pro-
posed at the Capitol.
Chairman Dill of the Senate Inter-
state Commerce Committee, at the
conclusion of hearings yesterday on
the Dill-Rayburn till to regulate III
communications, said he would intro
duce a proposal next week to investi-
gate what he termed "the telephone
monopoly"
Pecora Mentioned.
II would like to get Ferdinand
Pecora (Senate Banking Committee
counseD to make the investigation,
providing the Banking Committee
plans no hearings during the Summer
recess" Dill said
The telegraph industry was ordered
by the N. R. A. to appear here April
2 tor a hearing on what hours and
wages should be established for the
industry The demand was made
under a clause in the industrial law
UritP a
code or modify one already submitted
if the public interes. requires it.
The code previously submitted by
the industry was termed wholly un-
satisfactory"
Dill announced his plans after sew
eral witnesses had criticized the A.
T. & T for alleged monopolistic prac-
tices. He said "it will be good thing
for the country to have some facts
about the organization.
Clifford Hits Bill.
Walter S Clifford, president of
A. T. g. T., criticized the communica-
tions bill before the committee early
this week as too drastic and as going
far beyond President Roosevelt's rec
ommendation for a Federal commits
sion.
Dill told newspaper men yesterday
some changes would be made along
the lines suggested by Mr.. Roosevelt,
but added the general principles Of
the bill ought to be retained"
e H. Nockels of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor and Frank Powers,
international president of the Com
mercial Telegraphers' Union. told the
committee A. T. & T. had a monopoly.
Powers said the company made its
wires available for telegraph purposes
at lower rates than when used for
telephone communication. He added
A. T. & T. owned the Western Union,
but when asked by Senator White.
Republican, of Maine, what he based
that on said it was only heresay and
newspaper information.
Monopoly" Protested. -
Nockels placed before the commit
tee resolutions adopted by the Amer
ican Federation of Labor protesting
against the alleged monopoly. John
Benton. solicitor for the National As
sociation of Public Utilities Commits
SlOllClS, dppIoFCO lllC Jill bCSduSC, AC
said State commissions would still
exercise control over State telephone
rates.
Chester Leasure, speaking for the
United States Chamber of Commerce,
opposed the bill as too drastic. He
said it would interfere with the con-
tinued efficiency OF the communica-
tions services.
Father John B. Harvey, speaking
for station V'LWL, New York City.
approved the radio provisions. He
protested against the alleged mo-
nopolistic control of radio and said
the new commission should initiate q
new policy of regulation.
Appearing for the Navy Depart
ment, Capt S. c. Hooper urged
Strengthening of the provisions against
foreign stock ownership in American
communications companies.