The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-04-01
A. I. & I. MOVES
TO BALK PROBE
PUT IN RECORD
Utility Opposed Inquiries
With Successes for 10
Years, Is Charge.
RY RIrTu EINNEY

Times Special Writer
WASHINGTON, April For II
years the American Telephone anc
Telegraph Co. successfully fought
all efforts of public agencies to in
vestigate 1t, Federal Communica
lions Commission records disclosed
today.
It blocked a House investigation
proposed by Rep. John O'Connol
ID, N. " in 1926. In 1927 anc
subsequent years it blocked a Sen
ate investigation proposed by Sena-
tor Hiram johnson CR., Cali.
Again in 1891 it opposed an inves-
tigation which Senator James Couz-
ems (R., Mich.) wanted the Inter
state Commerce Commission to con-
duct.
In addition it fought investiga-
tions which various Legislature;
proposed to make.
Light Thrown on Methods
Letters and memoranda showing
the methods by which this opposi-
ton was carried on were in the
FEC records today, placed there by
Counsel Samuel Becker during eX-
animation of Carl M. Bracelon,
General Counsel of A. T. 81 t.
When the Johnson resolution was
pending before the Senate, the leg
islatures of California, Oregon and
washington had before them pro-
posals that they memorabilia Con-
gress in favor of the investigation
In regard to the California me-
mortal. President Carroll of the Pa
cific Telephone and Telegraph Co,
reported to A. T. & T. headquar-
tiers in New York that the assembly
committee before which 1t was
pending SIS not very good one
and I doubt if we can stop it there. y
He added that If it passed the AS
sembly it would be sent to Senate
Committee which is most excel
lent committee" adding that he had
strong hopes of stopping it there
and that mo stone would be left
unturned."
oregon Memorial Defeated
Defeat of the memorial in Oregon
caused messages of congratulation
to pass between officials of the local
and parent companies. Before the
Washington memorial was defeated
there was correspondence about
"some danger that the memorial
will be passed without reference to
the public utility committee"
When the Couzens resolution
failed of adoption, E. S. Wilson OF
the A. T. e. T. reported to Walter
Clifford that Gentleman Jim from
Michigan used every means he could
think of to get this passed but ii
didn't come up for action and just
died.
At various times, the record shows
Wisconsin, Michigan and New Mex
leo Legislatures proposed investiga
lions of their utility commissions
and in each case the telephone COM
panies we're opposed. The New Mex
leo Legislature finally appointed a
committee, but it's report was not
given to the public.
Grilled on Motives
Mr.. Becker put into the record a
memorandum to the A. T. g. T. from
Milton Smith, attorney for the
Mountain States Power Co., stating
that from confidential sources our
people learn the report reposes
peacefully in the miscellaneous
files" These files would be destroyed
at the end of the session, he added
why should the Bell system
oppose or favor resolutions calling
for the investigation of public utility
commissioners" Mr.. Becker asked
Mr.. Bracelon.
There might be very obvious rea
sons" Mr.. Bracelon replied. Having
something to cover up, some collu-
sion between the telephone company
and the commission, but on the
other hand when a commission that
is functioning efficiently, known tC
be composed of honorable upright
citizens that treat the utilities fairly
is under political attack, the tele-
phone company might properly come