Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-08-22

Slondl committees have been seeking
:. newspaper publicity
AeStSh0tton for themselves in
LObbieS promoting investiga-
items of legislative
Hobbies, the Federal Trade Commission
has quietly taken the position that
Legislative activities" on the part of
individuals or business interests are
not so bad. Strangely enough, the
commission heretofore has been la
beled as rather radical but in this in
stance 1t has taken a much more con-
sentative view of efforts Of private
citizens to protect themselves than
have the members of congress.
The commission made known it's po-
sition in only one case, but the under
standing is that it represents a view
of majority of the commission men,
bers and that in all probability there
will not be much fuss or furore again
respecting the efforts of private citi-
zens to engage the attention of their
elected Legislators when their pocket
books are in danger.
No such attitude is in evidence at
the Capitol. Certainly, no such evil
dence has been given by Alabama's
Senator Black and his senate investi-
eating committee. The house investi-
eating committee, under the chairman
ship of John J. O'Conner of New York,
has not been quite so ferocious but it
has not overlooked opportunities to get
on the front page of newspapers when
ever possible.
The two congressional Investigations
have come to be regarded by Washing
ton correspondents largely as farcical.
reported to you some weeks ago that
the probable result of the congression-
al Investigations would be the smear
ing of many men Of wealth and the
exposing of any shortcomings of cor
porations on which the committees
could lay their hands. That has been
the result to date and the outlook has
not been changed. AS far as anyone
can see now, neither committee is 60
ing to adducc any evidence or testi-
mony that will be helpful in the franz
ing Of legislation-that is the basis
upon which congressional investiga-
lions proceed and it is the only basis
in law they have for such inquiries.
In support of the assertion that
there is much publicity sought, one
needs only to reflect on the circum-
stance of those two committees en-
gagged in battle to obtain the testi-
mony of Howard G. Hopson, the big
shot Of the Associated Gas and Elec-
trio company. Mr.. Hopson has been
sought to give testimony respecting his
company's lobbying activities and was
looked upon by the chairman of each
committee as star witness-a star
because he is one of the biggest men
in the utilities field and therefore good
headline material.
We here in Washington saw the
spectacle Of subpoena bearers from
each committee chasing through the
Hopson was reported seen. The elusive
Mr.. Hopson was not discovered in any
of the three hotels where rumcr said
he was Quartered. Then rumor got
busy again and process server raced
wildly over the Virginia roads to the
nearby estate of Attorney Patrick ].
Hurley, who was secretary of war in
President Hoover's administration and
who has served as attorney here for
the Associated Gas and Electric COM
pany at times past. 1t turned out that
Mr. Hopson was not at the Hurley
home and the faithful process server
was forced to return empty handed.
But to get back to the Federal Trade
Commission. It's position may yet be
regarded as deter
Delicate minable only on the
Question merit of an indvid-
ual case or circum-
stance. That is to say the commission
probably has not condoned sharp prac-
tees in the relationships between pri-
yate business and official agencies.
The action of the commission in this
instance was with reference to mo-
ton of counsel for the International
Association of Ice Cream Manufac-
turers. The attorneys asked that the
commission strike out of the complaint
against the association three para
graphs which charged association Off
GERS and members with attempting to
urge legislation and local ordinances
"in bad faith" That question, of
course, is very delicate. 1t presents
collateral question as to whether when
an individual seeks legislation of
protective character for his cwn inter-
ests or legislation that will aid him
in his business, he has done SO "in
bad faith" Undoubtedly, there may
be times when bad faith could be prop
erly charged. But in discussing this
phase of the situation In many quar-
ters in Washington, found the con-
sensus to be that protection of prop