Evening star., 1934-02-22
COUGHS utility
POSTS DISCLOSED
House |. C. c. Committee
Probe Shows He Was Di-
rector in Nine Concerns.

Harvey c. Couch, a director of the
Reconstruction Finance Corporation,
held directorates or offices, or both, in
nine utility companies as recently as
last April, it was revealed yesterday
in a report by Chairman Rayburn of
the House Interstate Commerce Com
mittee.
The report, based on information
obtained in twoyear investigation,
listed Couch as president of the
Arkansas Power a. Light Co., and
president or board chairman of the
Garland Power & Development Co,
the Intercity Terminal Railway Co,
the Louisiana & Arkansas Railway
Co., the Louisiana Power u Light Co.,
the Mississippi Power & Light Co.
and the Vicksburg (Miss) Light &
Traction Co, besides being director
of the Electric Power & Light Cor
poratiOn Of New York and the United
Gas Corporation.
In 1881, the report disclosed. Couch
was a director of the Chase National
Bank of New York. the Bankers
Trust Co. of Little Rock, Ark; the
St. Louis & San Francisco Railway
Co and the Simmons National Bank
of Pine Bluff, Ark.
Rayburn Directs Probe.
The investigation, ordered by the
House two years ago, was conducted
by Chairman Rayburn, Texas DEM
ocrat, with the assistant of DR.. w.
M w. Splawn, who recently became
a member OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
The report shows the relation OF
holding companies in power and gas
affecting control while other reports
are to be made on oil and gasoline
pipe lines, and communications.
A statement by Rayburn said inter-
locking directorateS are common in
the utility companies of one system
dealing in power and gas" but added
the report does not show such re-
lations between systems. 1t does
show the connection of big utilities
men with many companies, he said.
In 240 Companies.
E P. Summerson of Rector street
New York, the report shows, leads
all other individuals The report
power and gas companies. He is
secretary to the Electric Bond &
Share Co.
Miss A. E. Koch, 81 Broadway, New
York. associated with the American
Utilities Co, is second with 212.
Others connected with more than
100 companies include J. F. McKenna,
New York. American Utilities execu-
tive, 1870; c. A. Dougherty, New York,
secretary of Associated Gas & Elec-
trio Co.. 180; Arthur C. Ray, New
York, treasurer, Electric Bond &
Share Co., 179; E. T. Edmonds, New
York, American Utilities Co., 1855;
w. w. Bell of New York, Altoona &
Logan Valley Electric Railway Co,
l27; E. Weinberger, New York. Ameri-
can Utilities Co., ia, E. w. Hill,
New York. vice president. Electric
Bond and Share Co. 112; William H.
Wildes, Chicago, Alabama Utilities
Service Co, 1O2; R. R. Small, New
York, Aroostock Public Service Co.
l02; w. M. Mcfarland, New York,
vice president and counsel for Con-
solidated Electric e. Gas Co. 1O2;
Luke C. Bradley. New York. Asso-
clated Gas Co, 10l; l.. L.. Fenton.
Chicago, Alabama Utilities Service
Co. l0l; M. C. Okeeffe, New York
City American Utilities Co., 100.
5000 Chain Companies
The report shows that 5000 COM
panies are in chain of control
whereby controlling company is
sometimes IL companies removed
from the actual operating company.
1t said the most outstanding in
stance in regard to the number of
removes of company from the head
company is the Richmond Light &
Railroad Co."