Evening star., 1935-08-13
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

BY JAMES E. CHINN.
Howard c. Hopson, long sought by
two congressional groups investigating
utilities lobbying. told the House Rules
Committee today he didn't think it
proper for these committees to be
prying into private affairs" like his
personal income
Chairman O'Connor disagreed with
him, however. saying the purpose in
pressing him concerning his source of
income is that since he is engaged in
the public utility business. the con-
sumer furnishes all the income.
Your rates are based on the cost
of operation" O'Connor said, "and
if your company is paying you two or
three million dollars year, that is
reflected in the cost
THAT two or three million is
gross exaggeration, Hopson. reputed
boss of the Associated Gas & Elec-
trio System, shot back. I'll tell you
who pays the salaries. It's the inves-
tors"
Denies Reported Profit.
During his two-hour testimony the
elusive witness also. branded as
distortion" reports that he had made
profit of S2,805,000 during the de-
preston years when the Associated
system was passing dividends S. C.
Ross, accountant for the New York
State utility investigation, previously
had told the Senate Lobby Commit
tee Hopson or his associates had COL
lected this amount
Hopson declared Ross statements
we're largely a repetition of testimony
before the New York Mack Investi-
eating Committee.
That was such mass of misstate-
ment, distortion. etc." he declared,
81 wouldn't make an effort to go into
it at this time"
Hopson also disclosed to the COM
mittee that he had been very eager"
to have B. B. Robinson work in Wash
lrgton against the utilities holding bill
Robinson previously had testified
he came here to work for defeat Of
the Wheeler-Rayburn bill and that
Associated had reimbursed him for
about $4,000 of the $1,000 in expenses
he incurred.
Earlier, Hopson had told lengthy,
detailed story of how he became one
of the ruling heads of the Associated
System Then O'Connor asked about
his income.
II did have it looked up once" Hop
son replied. In 1922, think it was
S10O. 600 a wear"
O'Connor pressed him for his pres
ent income.
It don't think it is proper for these
committees to be prying into the pri-
vate affairs of individuals" he re-
sponded. Il still think the people of
this country are entitled to some
privacy in their personal affairs"
The committee made no effort
whatever to question Hopson about
search for him and he did not volun-
teer the information. Committee in
vestigators, who acted as guards for
him, even prevented newspaper men
from questioning Hopson after he left
the witness stand at noon.
When the hearing adjourned Hop
son rushed from the stand. surrounded
by a quartet of guards, dashed into
an elevator and was whisked away in
a waiting taxicab. Guards pushed
newspaper men who tried to follow
him out of the elevator.
Rebuffed by House Guards.
Investigators for the Senate Lobby
Committee, it was learned, made efforts
after Hopson left the witness stand to
serve a subpoena for his appearance
before that committee, but were re-
buffed by the House committee guards
The Senate agents were told that Hop
son already was under subpoena to
appear before the House committee
No explanation was given for the
veil of secrecy thrown around Hop
sons whereabouts. His residence in
Washington is being kept secret, it
was said, to prevent him from being
harassed by newspaper men and pho
tographers.
The committee adjourned, subject
to call, after only scratching the sur
face of lobby activities of the Asso-
ciated Gas & Electric against the
death sentence" provision of the
(See LOBBY. Page A.