Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-09

tCOIlLlLlueO FIOlll EHcl EdSCD
Rankin, Democrat, Of Mississippi,
criticizing O'Connor on the ground
that he had voted against the admin
istration in the utilities bill fight, had
said the inquiry will probably be an
idle gesture" O'Connor flung back
that Rankin had voted for the earlier
resolution.
Last night the New Yorker vowed
that he would spare no one in inves-
tigating any attempt to "intimidate
or influence votes"
When Representative Blanton, Dem
ocrat, of Texas, asked what would be
done If the charges against Corcoran
were found to be true, O'Connor said:
Then he would be confronted with
the statute making it crime"
The Senate meanwhile neared de-
cision on whether to agree with the
House action-opposed by President
Roosevelt-in voting to give the Sc
curities Commission discretionary au-
thority over the future Of holding
companies.
The House bill would let the COM
mission decide whether some holding
companies should be abolished. The
Senate bill-backed by President
Roosevelt-would automatically elm
mate in seven years those deemed
unnecessary"
Also the Senate approached q vote
on whether to institute an investiga-
ton OF its own into lobbying in gen
eral, including that Of the utilities
bill.
AS the House inquiry began, Brew
ster related that on July /, after his
arrival In Washington by plane in
time for action on the utilities bill,
his secretary told him Corcoran had
called his ONCE and used very strong
language, demanding that he vote for
the utilities bill.
Works Threat Recounted.
"I had her put down the converse
ton and called Corcoran, who said he
wanted to talk to me about the utili-
ties matter. and I told him I would
be very glad to talk to him." Brewster
said. He went on that in that con-
ersation by telephone Corcoran said
he felt very strongly Brewster should
vote for the holding company bill.
Brewster quoted him as saying In
the first conversation, IF you do not
vote for the death sentence I shall
find it necessary to stop construction
of the Passamaquoddy Dam"
Ferdinand Pecora, investigator Tor
the Senate before going on the Securi-
ties and Exchange Commission and
later on the bench in New York, was
present as a spectator.
Brewster said while he was talking
with Corcoran DR.. Gruening called on
the other telephone and asked for an
appointment and that Corcoran said
he would like to be present.
Won't you come into my room?"
Brewster quoted Corcoran, who. he
said, could hear the conversation on
the other phone.
"Where?" Brewster said he asked.
Meet in Statuary Hall.
ct have a little Office in the office
of the Democratic whip, Mr.. Boland,"
Brewster said Corcoran told him, Sug-
costing that he and Gruening 60
there.
Brewster said it was so arranged
and that he went over to the Capitol,
then near 2 pm, shortly before the
teller vote on mandatory abolition of
holding companies.
AS entered statuary hail." he re-
lated, "Corcoran and DR.. Gruening
were coming from the other direction.
There were quite few people
around. A page, I remember, came
up and said there would be a vote
pretty soon. Mr.. Page civilian Tyler
Page, minority clerk of the House,
passed by. 1 mention these things
to show the background.
"Gruening, I believe, spoke first
He said he believed I would make a
great mistake If I did not vote for
the death sentence.
Threat Repeated, He Says.
"Corcoran interrupted him: Let me
speak with brutal bluntness. If you
do not vote for the death sentence I
shall find it necessary to stop con-
struction on the Passamaquoddy
Dam"
Brewster enunciated slowly for the
attentive committee.
Then, the former Maine Governor
went on, Gruening broke In saying:
IT think you should do it on your
own"
But Corcoran interrupted DR..
Gruening again." Brewster declared.
He said if I did not vote for the
measure he would find 1t necessary
to stop Quoddy'."
Brewster said Corcoran then went
Into legal details of the Passama-
uuoddy situation, involving the ne
cessity of the State authority.
Brewster said matters Of policy had
been discussed with Corcoran from
time to time.
Action of the State Legislature
was involved" interrupted Representa-
tive Mapes, Republican, of Michigan.
Authority Not Pushed.
Eyes, P. w. A. hsG prepared an
act" Brewster SAID. Changes were
made after it left P. w. A. that re-
stricted the sole authority that was
to be created. Corcoran was handling
detail at the Presidents direction. He
had determined that il was not ex-
pedient to push the authority.
"Corcoran said that II were going
TO vote against the death sentence,