The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-18
DESTROYED EVIDENCE TO
CONCEAL 100000 WAR ON
BILL, POWER FIRM ADMITS
Associated Gas, Electric
Co. EmpIoye Tells of
Superior'S Orders.
FAKE MESSAGES Barred
Deliberate Efforts to Con-
CeaI Activities Laid to
Utility BaronS.
By United Press


WASHINGTON, July 49,
E. w. O'Brien, employee of an
Associated Gas and Electric
Co. subsidiary, told the Senate
Lobby Committee today that
it was a true conclusion"
that deliberate efforts were
made to conceal and destroy
evidence of the firms 100000
campaign against the Wheeler-Ray-
burn utilities bill.
Records we're destroyed on the
eve of congressional investigation
and payments made by cash or per-
sonal check on orders of his SUE
periors. OBrien said. in relating
what Senator Lewis D. Schwellen-
bach Cd, Wash) characterized
policy of concealment."
O'Brien's testimony came as the
committee learned that.
Associated Gas and Electric paid
for more than 1000 kilograms dis
patched to congressman from War
rem, Pa, and additional kilograms OF
unknown number from other points
protesting abainst the utilities bill.
Names Taken From Directory
Warren kilograms we're signed
with names taken from city direc-
tory because R. w. Heron, utilities
employe, took it for granted the
people we're against the bill"
Records of the campaign at War
rem, Erie and other Pennsylvania
cities we're destroyed on orders from
u. E. Beach, Associated Securities
executive. to clear out your files,
because they were "cluttered up"
Payments of $4,000 for protest"
kilograms were made in cash on orr
ders from the same source. Lobby
funds against the bill so far re-
vealed total over $1,000,000.
Ordered to Clean Files
OBrien testified he was instructed
to clear out his own files on the
utilities campaign and passed the
word along to divisional offices in
Pennsylvania. He said he received
$500 from the Ithaca investment
office headed by Beach to pay for
kilograms and disbursed $4,000 in
cash. He insisted, however, that
there was nothing discriminatory to
conceal.
As the Senate inquiry proceeded,
Rep. Hamilton Fish (R., N. y,
called upon the House Foreign
Affairs Committee for investigation
of lobbying by War and Navy De-
partment subordinates against
measures pending in Congress.
Rep. Fish asked the inquiry on
the basis of evidence revealed by
the Senate munitions committee in.
Vestigation.
Followed Instructions
Senator Schwellenbach a S k d
O'Brien:
You wanted members of Con-
gress to believe that the kilograms
were paid for by the people that
signed them?"
L followed instructions"
Isn't it true that the same policy
of concealment ran through all your
activities?"
Il believe that would be true"
O'Brien said he was instructed by
Beach to pay cash for kilograms.
Senator Black announced after
the hearing that he hoped to have
Beach testify tomorrow
Before the recess, F. r. Veale,
Western Union official, was recalled
to tell that SITS messages were sent
from Easton, Pa, to Senators and
Representatives.
1926 kilograms Sent
The cost of SPAS was paid by a
representative of the Metropolitan
Edison Co., an associated subsidiary.
The kilograms we're addressed TO
Senators James j. Davis (R., PAD.
Joseph P Guffey ID, Pa. w. War
fen Barbour Or, N. j., Harry
Moore ID. N. j., and Burton K.
Wheeler Cd, Mont).
Rep. Oliver w. Frey 3D.. Pa re.
ceived AS of the Easton messages.
although he did not even represent
the district.
Veale testified that 243 kilograms
were sent from Knox, Pa, at cost
OF s125, paid for by representatives
of the Pennsylvania Electric Co., an
other associated affiliate.
T. B. Kingsbury, manager Of the
Western Union Office here, said
1926 kilograms for Representatives
were received during one week. Sem
ators received 10000. Total cost was