Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-16
Lobby
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before the Senate Committee last eve
ming and told of efforts made by his
agents to change the editorial slant of
newspapers opposing the holding COM
pany bill.
The House and Senate Commit
tees apparently still are rivals, even
though working under the armed
truce" reached yesterday.
Senatorial contempt proceedings
against Hopson and his attorney, Will
liam A. Hill Of Boston, are being held
in allegiance, however
AsLs McNinch Subpoena.
At the outset of today's House Rules
Committee session Representative
Lehlbach, Republican. of New Jersey,
suggested that Frank McNinch, chair
man of t Federal Power Commits
sion, be subpoenaed. Chairman O'Con-
nor said he would take the request
under Amusement. McNinch now is
in Europe.
0'Connor also announced the COM
mittee. in its further examination of
Hopson, would not duplicate testimony
given to the Senate group.
Hopson began his test nony by re-
ferring to a stateme' showing the
Associated up to July Is had spent
S727 900 fighting utilities bill, but
emphasized that did not include re-
cent expenses. which makes the total
higher.
Hopson said $250,704 was spent on
newspaper advertising, $4,000 for
magazine advertising, sl46.879 for tel
egraph and telephone services and
$3l 500 for legal services.
The witness later admitted that in
addition TO the $3l 602 item for coun-
sci fees, some payment Of some size
able amount" was paid to former Sec
rotary of War Hurley.
To Submit Expenses.
Hopson was questioned about details
OF the expenses and when he said he
could not give them offhand O'Connor
told him to submit complete state
ment as soon as these data could be
assembled. This statement, O'Connor
1 said, should contain the names of
all persons who we're compensated.
William H. Collins, committee
counsel. questioned Hopson about the
thousands OF kilograms that deluged
members of Congress, pointing out
that high school boys in Auburn, N.
Y, had been engaged to get signatures
for the messages. Hopson said he did
not know anything about that, nor did
he approve it.
Hopson also denied vehemently that
he was the directing genius" behind
the Geographic bombardment. He ex-
planned that officials of Associated
communicated with all holding COM
panies calling their attention to the
purpose of the Wheeler-Rayburn bill
and urging them to join in the cam
paign to defeat it.
Planned Popular Movement.
Hopson insisted that the object OF
the campaign was to bring about
great popular movement" against the
bill. While denying he had knowledge
that high school students we're EN-
ployed to get signatures, he declared
any junior or senior in high school
could understand the destructive
character" of the proposed legislation.
O'Connor then called attention to
charges that some Of the names OIL
the messages we're taken from tomb
stones.
There has been no proof that
names on tombstones were signed to
the messages" Hopson replied. cit has
been proved that these charges were
gross libel"
Denies Maintaining Lobbies.
Representative Cox, Democrat. of
Georgia then asked the witness If it Is
true that Associated maintains lobby
In the capital Of every State where its
holding companies are located.
"Oh, no." Hopson replied, emphati-
cally.
Cox then inquired If the company
had engaged influential politicians to
aid in the campaign.
II don't know of any such cases."
| ne declared.
Hopson was next asked the function
Of B. B. Robinson, Chicago securities
salesman and his contact man in
Washington. He replied:
I'VE found there were a great many
members of Congress who had not
read the bill and did not know what
was in 1t. We felt we should induce
Representatives to realize what 1t
would mean to any business. Robin
son was acquainted with the bill, and
he was to explain it to the Repre-
sentatives"
Remembers Memorandum.
A few minutes later Collins called
| Hopson's attention to a memorandum
he was alleged to have sent to Robin
| son March 20 last.
Hopson looked at it suspiciously,
smiled and remarked:
why this damn thing?"
He then took the memorandum
from Collins, put on his glasses, and
read 1t slowly.
Eyes, remember that memo
| randum," he said.
The committee then pressed Hop