Evening star., 1935-06-30
House ImP'erils
Success of
Program.
FIGHT TERMED
LOBBY BATTLE
"Death Sentence
Must Remain,
Wheeler Says.
BY G.. GOULD LINCOLN.


President Roosevelt faces a major
test of his power over the legislation
in the House this week. On the out
come of the test depends the fate of
the Presidents public utility holding
company bill The reports last night
were not favorable to the Presidents
success in holding the death SEN
tence" clause in the bill.
Despite the Presidents attack, de-
livered Friday on the lobby" which
has sought to undermine his holding
company bill. the Democrats of the
House in large numbers continued to
remain recalcitrant. There was bitter
debate on the measure in the House
yesterday
Over the week end, however, the
administration forces are working
like beavers to swing the Democratic
House members into line. 1t Is
battle of the lobbies, as a member of
the House remarked facetiously. The
Presidents lobby, headed by Emil
Hurja, assistant chairman of the
Democratic National Committee. and
Charles West, former representative
from Ohio and now q liaison officer
between the White House and Con-
gress swung into action all along the
line yesterday.
Foes Attack President.
On the other side was the lobby
of the opponents of the holding COM
pany bill Dr. Hugh S. Magill. presi-
dent of the American Federation of
Utility Investors. issued a bitter
statement. charging that the Presi-
dent is using his $4,000 100000 relief
fund to whip members of Congress
into line to vote for the death SEN
tence' clause of the bill. He said:
The President has become peeved
because free citizens dare defend their
proprty against the death sentence in
the utility bill which he is determined
to force through an unwilling Cong
ress. He cries out against what he
calls a terrible lobby.
The President evidently makes his
complaint to divert attention from the
fact that he has filled the cloak rooms
of Congress with his minions who but
tonhole Congressman and, with
threats and promises, seek to induce
them to vote for the death sentence.
Nothing can compare with the lobby
the President himself has set up.
Every Congressman knows this is true.
Constitute Sinister Peril.
"The implications contained in the
five-billion dollar White House lobby
constitute the most sinister peril to
our Democratic form of Government
that has ever threatened our people.
The fact is the functions of free
Government in America are being
prostituted. Instead of the Govern
ment protecting the property of its
citizens as they have a right to ex-
pect, millions of innocent investors in
utility securities are forced to fight
for the protection of their property
against the death sentence decreed
House.
The issues of this fight are clear
Let there be no misunderstanding
Millions of free citizens, their backs
to the wall, are fighting to save their
property from the ruthless and spite
full destruction of an autocrat. who
is using his almost unlimited powers
to force members of Congress to bow
subsequently to his will"
Press for Vote by Tuesday.
The House leaders are pressing for a
final vote on the holding company
bill by Tuesday night if possible With
general debate concluded, the bill was
read section by section in the House
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