The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-17

ted by Arthur F. Christensen,
Warren (Pa.) telegraph office.
the remarks during a CONVEX
bond salesman for the Asso-
ciated Gas and Electric Co..
and J. A. Fisher, manager Of
the Warren Western Union
office.
He said the conversation occurred
July 10 Just as the Senate and
House lobbying committees started
their inquiry into utilities lobbying.
Heron was alleged by witnesses
to have dispatched hundreds of
kilograms to Rep. D. j. Driscon ID.
Pa, opposing the Wheeler-Ray-
burn utilities bill and signed them
with names which he copied from
city directory.
Originals of these messages we're
burned IN the Warren Office some
time during the night of July 10.
Two Men Suspended
Mr.. Christensen was named by
Mr.. Fisher as having had a part in
destruction of the messages.
Mr.. Christensen, who was Sus-
pended with Mr.. Fisher after Vest
ern Union officials began an invests
cation of destruction of the records,
said Heron entered the Warren
office about noon on July 10 and
started talking to Mr. Fisher.
I overhead part of their con-
versation," he said.
What did they say?" asked Chair
man Hugo L. Black ID, Ala.
Well the youthful operator be-
gan slowly, Heron told Mr. Fisher
that he had received a call from his
superiors ordering him to destroy
/ records of having made payments on
messages and also records of the
kilograms. Then they joked a little"
We're not interested in their
jokes" Senator Black said What
did they say?"
Mr.. Heron said it would be nice
If they could arrange little fire in
the cellar and Mr.. Fisher said that
would be all right because our To-
year lease was Just about up any
way"
Mr.. Christensen said ne could not
hear the remainder Of the conyersa-
ton.
Burned One Folder
He disclosed that he burned one
folder" of records relating to BUSH
ness handled IN July, 1884, despite
the fact that he had been told by
a messenger boy that the papers
should not be destroyed until the
end Of July, 1885.
The telegraph company's policy
was to retain all records for one year
before destroying them, other wit
nesses said
Mr.. Christensen denied vigorously
that his burning of the records was
prompted by the utility company.
He said Heron never had loaned
nor given him any money.
Heron was not present today. He
informed the committee that be-
cause Of lack of funds" he could
not come to Washington until to-
night
Never Burned Records Before
Responding to questions, Mr..
Christensen admitted that although
he had worked in the Warren Of
flee seven years. he had never be-
fore burned any records.
That work, he said, usually was
handled by messenger boys.
Why did you do 1t this time?''
Senator Black asked.
He explained that he went 10 the
cellar of the Office at about $50
p. m. on July 10 to search for a
spring to repair a razor blade shar-
pener.
While there. he said, he saw a
bundle Of old records on the table
and file of July. 1884, records
sticking out of locker.
Unable to Explain
He said he removed the July
papers and placed them with the
older documents, throwing one fold
er into the fire He then ordered a
messenger boy to destroy the re-
mainder
Il only burned one days business"
he said. Il took it for granted that
they were to be burned because they
were sticking out Of the locker"
How was it that the records foB
June. 1885, the month when Her@
ron is alleged to have sent 1900 mes
ssges to Rep. DriscalD we're de-
stroved." Senator Black asked.
That's what I've been trying to
find out, Mr. Christensen replied
smiling
Pretty Blond Testifies
The committee had heard Miss
Gladys Loding. pretty, blond-haired
employe Of the Warren Office,
testify that she saw Heron
sages to Rep. DriscolD were de-