Evening star., 1935-08-19
TRUTH UNWANTED,
IS SH0PSON'S SHOUT.
At LOBBY PROBERS
Defies Committee, Refuses
to Withdraw Charge
and Doesn't.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

Howard c. Hopson. reputed car
of the Associated Gas e. Electric Co.,
cefied the Senate Lobby Committee
today by fatty refusing to withdraw
a statement at the demand of Chair
man Black.
Earlier the utilities magnate had
been rebuked by Black for trying to
argue" with the committee and
warned that he would be cited to the
Senate if he continued such tactics
A contempt citation already has been
served on him for failing to respond
to Senate subpoena on time. but it
has net been pressed.
HopSon shouted his defiance when
the committee undertook to examine
him about his connection with the
Jones Operating g. Financial Co. of
New York, headed by Edward j.
Cheney-a concern which he privately
financed with an operating capital of
$4,000 and from which he drew out in
profits nearly S5O0,00o in a 13-year
period.
Asserts Truth Is Not Wanted.
Senator Schwellenbach, Democrat,
of Washington endeavored to get Hop
son to admit he shielded his identity
with that company to keep the in
formation away from Associated stock
holders. When the utilities baron
attempted to go into detailed ex-
planation of his business arrangement
with Cheney and was abruptly halted,
he shouted:
"All right, you don't want the whole
truth"
You will have to withdraw that
statement" demanded Chairman
Black.
I'm not going to withdraw it,
shouted Hopson. And he didn't.
Chairman Black. however. warned
him for the second time that he was
not going to be permitted to start an
argument.
You've been accustomed to making
speeches at other Places said Black
but you're not going to do it here"
Witness Smile Gone.
The first f1are-up came shortly after
Hopson took the witness stand after
a brief week end respite from the
questioning of the House and Senate
Lobby Committees. He appeared tc
be refreshed from the rest, but OBJ
viously was in a more belligerent
mood than any time since the two
committees started to question hin
about his activities in connection with
the campaign against the Wheeler.
Rayburn utilities bill. His famou;
smile was gone. and he spared fire.
quently with Chairman Black as ques-
tions piled at him relentlessly about
the Associates extensive advertising
and publicity campaign against the
bill.
Finally. Chairman Black, obviously
angered by Hopson's attitude, warned
him If he made any further attempts
to argue with the committee he would
be cited to the Senate.
Miami kilograms Recalled.
Chairman Black read into the record
and questioned Hopson about score
or more kilograms he shot out OF
Miami, Fla, while he was there in
the Spring to various officials of the
company. directing the campaign
against the bill. He also was ques-
toned about his protests to news
papers and press associations about
certain stories which originated in
Washington about the utilities bill.
Hopson also admitted that part of
the company's campaign against the
bill was aimed to appeal to the pub
lies emotion by calling attention to
the injuries" the law would infiict
on widows and orphans.
Hopson said also that the Associated
had adopted policy of sending con-
gratulatory kilograms to members of
See TnpPV Pace 81