The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1935-07-12

i should think 1t might have been
the Federation of Utility Investors
of Chicago"
Gadsden said he was not con-
nected with the Chicago organiza-
ton.
The senate committee acted with
surprising speed in starting its
hearings. Its meeting to-day had
been expected to be concerned only
with planning its course.
Money for Probers
The new committee, appointed
only yesterday, was given an ap-
preparation of $4,000 to investi-
gate lobbying activities in connec-
ton with all legislation. Black,
a veteran Investigator, was named
chairman by Vice President John
N. Garner. Other members are
Sherman Minton, d., Ind, Lewis B.
Schwellenbach, d., Wash, LYNN
ID. Frazier, r., N. D., and Ernest
Gibson, r., VT
Gadsden testified that he "came
down here about the time the
holding company bill was intro
duced in the senate and estab-
lished headquarters. The Or
ganization was formed he said, in
the offices of the Edison Electric
Institute in New York.
"Was the Tennessee Valley
Authority act discussed? ~ Black
asked.
"No. We had nothing to do
with that" Gadsden replied.
He said two New York law
firms were paid $4,000 each in
counsel fees.
Ibid you discuss the bill with
. senators and representatives after
coming to Washington Black
Discussed With All
ST discussed it with every men,
Der of the senate and house inter
state commerce committees during
hearings on the legislation" Gads-
den replied.
st mean did you discuss it out
side of the regular committee
nneeting?"
Gadsden said he had visited the
ofices of Reps. James Wolfenden,
r., Pa, and Clarence F. Lea, D.,
Cal, and also went two or three
times to the Office of Sen. Daniel
o. Hastings, r., Del.
He said he also met Rep. Charles
A. Wolverton, R., N. j., and Rep.
Samuel Pettengill, D., Ind, in the
hall outside of the house commit
tee room and discussed the legisla-
ton with them.
'As a matter of fact" he said,
"as chairman of the committee
should have done more than did"
He denied that he had met with
any congressman at his hotel or at
any dinner or at "anyone's home"
to discuss the bill.
Carter Gave Information
Burnham Carter, member of the
publicity firm q Ivy Lee and T.
J. Ross, employed by the committee
testified he furnished information
to Reps. Florence Kahn, R., Cal,
and Jennings Randolph ID, w. Va.
"Did you ever meet any con-
gressmen?" asked Black.
Carter replied that Randolph
was the only one and said he met
him in a room in the Mayflower
Hotel occupied by the vice pres
ident of the American Gas and
Electric company.
HE was a member of the com
mittee and he was there in the in
terest of defeating the BILL wasn't
he?" Black said.
Eyes"
Paid $1,000 a Month
Carter testified that the commit
tee OF public utility executives paid
his company $4,000 a month and
travelling expenses for its publicity
work in the fight to defeat the
death sentence"
He said the firm kept two men
IN washington and did consider
able work in New York
s'What do you do for $4,000 a
month ?" asked Black.
1--WE advise the committee" said
Carter. 1--WE assisted in preparation
Of news articles signed by the chair
man and assisted in summarizing
actual material"
Carter denied that his firm did
ghost writing" .,-
Carter was mot sure" whether
or not he furnished material to
Pens. John G.. Cooper r.. o., and
Pettengill. and Sen. Hastings
at wanted a record vote" Gads-
den replied. Il took the position
TINT a record vote would be a good
thing for u.s."
Gadsden testified his salary was
s31 900 annually. He said holding
company groups made every effort
IL ..offset the terrific bombardment
nv the government in support OF
the bill"
He said companies were urged
to send representatives to wash
ipgton to impress upon congress
men that the sentiment back home
was against this bill"
Friends From Back Home
"You urged them to send peo-
ME who were close friends OF SEN
ators amid congressman VI I" Black
asked.
II certainly did" Gadsden re-
piled, adding that the expenses OF
such Representatives were paid py
individual. companies.
He explained that these back
home" delegates were In q posi-
ton 10 "go up to congressman
ana say, John or Jim, you'd bel
Ter watch out. The sentiment has
changed"
SEN. Ernest w. Gibson. mild
hammered Vermont republican,,
nnid the expenses Of the groups
fhat same here "eventually comes
suf 81 the pockets OF the pub
lIc"
well, the atockhoidcrn OF H.
holding companies VIII pay H. u