Evening star., 1935-07-26

Tuesday if he thought cigars were IN
the box.
"I told him I didn't know" Sellers
said he replied. He said he didn't
think so. and remarked: Uncle bought
a bond today, and it isn't pay day."
In sharp conflict with previous tes-
timony by Patton and Carpenter, Sell
lers said he accompanied the Repre-
sentative to the power mans hotel the
Sunday before the House vote on the
bill.
Carpenter had denied that he saw
Patton that day or that he was at
the hotel.
He said they stopped at the May
flower Hotel, so Patton could visit a
sick friend"
He and Shook. the nephew, Sellers
said, waited in the lobby. When Pat
ton returned. he carried a little box
and said. John gave me a box OF
cigars"
Later they went by a restaurant
and Patton carried the box, it was
testified.
Senator Gibson, Republican, of Ver-
mont, expressed ''puzzlement" over
Patton's purchase of the bonds.
Other members showed their sur
prise at the turn In the testimony by
their close questioning of the Repre-
sentative about his living expenses
and salary.
There were indications that Shook
was being subpoenaed, but Chairman
Black would not comment.
Black announced after the hearing
adjourned until Monday that the COM
mittee had issued subpoenaes for two
of the highest officials of the Associ-
ated Gas & Electric System, H. C..
Hopson and j. I. Mango He said
Mango was reported to be in hospital
and the committee had not been able
to locate Hopson.
IN his earlier testimony, Patton gave
his planation-differin somewhat
from previous versions-of the news
paper-wrapped package.
A picturesque figure. Patton told
the committee Carpenter had given
his son permission to offer the Con-
gresham a box Of cigars.
Stoutly Defends Story.
The Representative asserted that
Nothing transpired that the light
of day cannot shine on" In con-
clusion, he said:
IT hope I might be struck dead
here if that is not the truth and
the whole expose of the business"
Patton, who appeared voluntarily
to deny anything wrong had hap
pened, was accompanied by Repre-
sentative Blanton. Democrat, OF Texas.
The committee hurriedly Interrupt
ted testimony by Joe A. Worsham. at
torney for the power company, to let
Patton take the stand. Worsham and
Carpenter we're asked to leave the
room while Patton testified.
Patton told the committee he car
ried a couple of books to the hotel for
Carpenters son and took them away
with him wrapped in newspaper.
His account varied from the original
story in that he said Carpenters son
asked for the books, while Worsham
had testified Carpenter asked for them
for the son.
After letting Patton tell his story,
Black asked him to sit down and be-
gan to question him.
Quotes Report.
Black asked If he mace reports to
Carpenter about the utilities bills
progress.
IT told him it had been in COM
mittee so long didn't think it would
come out" Patton said. He added,
however, that he did not remember
writing Carpenter about the measure.
Black submitted a letter written
by Patton to Carpenter reporting on
the House reception of the President 8
message on the utility bill.
The letter was dated March 13. the
day Patton said he had talked to
Carpenter here.
When I wrote this letter." the
Representative explained, II didn't
know he was here. I remember now
telling him had written him O
letter"
Black then asked if Patton had
made any investments since he had
come to Congress.
Here Patton pulled out of his pocket
the four Government bonds with face
value of $1,000 each. He said they
were bought for about $3.50 each on
March 8. April 4, May 10 and May 8,
to mature 10 years hence at full value
They were paid for in cash, he said,
by check on the sergeant at arms
of the House.
That's about all I've been able to
save out of my pay since I've been
here" he volunteered.
Black pointed out that at the time
Patton bought the last Of the four
bonds he had drawn four months
salary or total of about $500.
Patton said he had brought about
$500 to Washington with him.
He also had sons in college, he said,
who had their own accounts.
But they've been hitting the old
man up this Summer" he added.
Black asked II he had ever brought