Evening star., 1935-07-11
GRUEN|NG DENIES
HE HEARD THREAT
ON QUODDY WORK
Official Asserts Brewster
Intended to Stay Away
From Utility Vote.
C0RC0RAN TESTIFIES
HE DIDN'T THUMB NOSE
Another Representative Tells of
Seeing Foes of Utilities in
Speakers Lobby.
BY the Associated Press.
Ea-t G.n-i,o~

BY the Associated Press.
Ernest Gruening. Interior Depart
ment official. testified TO the House
Rules Committee today that no threat
or promise was made in his presence
TO persuade Representative Brewster,
Republican, of Maine. to vote TO
abolish unnecessary holding COM
panies, as desired by President Roose-
velt.
Brewster had charged that Thomas
Corcoran, r. F. C. official, threatened
to stop construction of the PaSsams-
quoddy, Me. tide-harnessing project
unless the Representative supported
the President
The Senate meanwhile. approved a
$50, 900 investigation into the power
and other lobbies by a five-man COM
mittee empowered to draw in "G-men"
or other help from executive depart
mentS.
The resolution. introduced by Sen
ator Black, Democrat, of Alabama,
was approved unanimously with but
few scattered comments.
Farm Quiz Wanted.
Senator Hastings, Republican, Of
Delaware, proposed to amend it by
specifying that among subjects to be
investigated would be the part played"
by Federal officials in bringing farm
ers to Washington last May 1916 in
support of A. A. A. amendments.
When Black assured that the resolu-
ton was wide enough to include the
farm question, Hastings withdrew his
amendment.
Testimony was received that Gruen-
ing, former editor of the Nation and
of a Portland, Me, newspaper. at the
House probe, was present at the con-
versation between Brewster and
Corcoran.
Corcoran has denied the assertion.
Earlier. Gruening testified that
Brewster told him he intended to re-
main at his hotel and not be present
at the House vote on abolishing 'un-
necessary" holding companies
Did Vote, However.
However. he did vote against the
administration.
My God! You can't do that"
Gruening said he told Brewster when
informed he intended to absent him
self from the vote.
He testified after Corcoran had
denied to Representative Lehlbach,
Republican, of New Jersey that he
thumbed his nose at House men,
Der opposed to the abolition clause and
Senator White, Republican, of Maine
had said his vote on the utilities bill
was not Influenced" in any way.
Before the meeting with Brewster
and Corcoran. Gruening testified. Cor
coran told him by telephone:
Where is Ralph Brewster? / think
your friend is double-dealer. think
he is going to run out on u.s.
Il said, I don't think that pos
sible. I don't believe for a moment
he is going to run out. I called his
Office and his secretary said he is
here" Gruening went on.
He said: I am sorry for what said
and you had better call him. He Ger
tainly has been active so far in be-
Ildll Vi Llllc bllA.
No, Sir, Didn't Thumb Nose.
Soon after today's session opened
Lehlbach wanted to know if, after the
celebrated Brewster conversation,
Corcoran returned to the House cor
ridor opposite the Speakers Office and
talked to several members.
Did you not then thumb your
nose at a member who was going TO
vote against the death sentence?"
Lehlbach asked.
No" Corcoran replied.
Shortly thereafter Senate White
denied he had in any way been in
f1uenced" in his vote on utility legis-
lation.
White, mentioned in previous teSti-
mony by Brewster and Corcoran as
having been spoken to by Brewster
on his death sentence" vote. said
the testimony had been irritating to
him and he wanted the record kept
straight.
Reciting his string of votes against
(See LOBBY, Page 81