Evening star., 1935-08-14
Senate Committee to Meet
Again at 3 Pm. to Quiz
master Mind" of Utility
Firm Facing Contempt.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
TO STRENGTHEN POWER
Black Measure Amends Original
Investigation Proposal to Au-
thorize Inquiry Into Corporate
Affairs Between Companies and
Financial Matters.

Howard c. Hopson, long missing
master mind of the Associated Gas
and Electric System, invited Senate
contempt proceedings today by failing
to answer subpoena to appear i'm
mediately before the Senate Lobby
Committee.
After waiting more than an hour
for the heavy-set utilities magnate to
appear on an "instanter" subpoena,
the committee announced it would
meet again at 3 o'clock and if he did
not show UP then 1t would cite him to
the Senate for contempt
Both Harry F. Sinclair, oil mag
nate, and William P. MacCracken.
former Assistant Secretary of Com
merce. have served jail terms for con-
tempt of the Senate.
Senate Strengthens Hand.
While the committee was waiting
for Hopson. resolution to strengthen
its power in questioning the utilities
magnate and others was adopted by
the Senate.
Presented by Chairman Black of the
Labor Committee, the resolution
amended the original investigation
proposal to authorize inquiring into
corporate and financial structures,
salaries and stock transactions be-
tween companies.
Black said Hopson and persons re-
plying to a committee QUESTIONABLE
had questioned the right of Congress
to 60 into private transactions pub
licly.
He told Senator Hastings. Repub-
lican, of Delaware the committee
would show that "Hopson was direct
ly controlling and mapping the entire
program of lobbying all over the
country"
The Senate's subpoena was served
on Hopson at noon, Immediately after
he left the hearing of the House Rules
Committee, before which he testified
for the second time. Even before this
a majority Of. the Senate group had
threatened contempt action against
the elusive utilities man.
And shortly before today's hearing
OF House Hules Committee lobby in.
vestigators concluded. Representative
Cox, Democrat, of Georgia furnished
sensation by threatening to kick
Hopson out of the committee room
unless the rotund utilities magnate
withdrew remark to the effect that
a question Cox asked was "a lie."
The trouble developed when Cox
asked the utilities baron if he in
tended to cash in" by buying up stock
for nothing If the Wheeler -Rayburn
holding company bill is passed.
Il resent that inquiry" shouted
Hopson. That's a lie. No gentle
man would ask it,
Hopson Withdraws Word.
"I will kick you out of this room
Cox replied angrily. You will leave
here worse SCARED than when you
came"
Hopson withdrew the statement.
The fiare-up came after Hopson
agreed that he expected expenditures
by the Associated Gas g. Electric sys-
tenn against the Wheeler -Rayburn bill
might exceed" $500, 900 to 100000.
The first Senate committee warning
concerning possible contempt action
was issued by Chairman Black and
Senators Minton, Democrat, Indiana,
and Schwellenbach, Democrat. Wash
ington, to william A Hill. attorney
for the long missing Hopson.
At the same time the committee is
f..
service on Hopson. This called for his
immediate appearance before the Sen
ate committee.
Service was made by Joseph Nc
Carthy, agent for the Senate group,
who yesterday was prevented from
serving the subpoena after the House
Rules Committee adjourned.
Mccarthy succeeded in serving 1t
after HopSon testified before the House