Evening star., 1937-06-23

laying the inspection trip. Several
members suggested that the weekend
party would make 1t impossible for
them to go to the Benning area before
Monday.
Except for requested "breakdown"
on the claimed $l,400,000 cash con-
hderation involved in the purchase Of
slaughter house properties and patent
rights which Adolf Gobel, Inc, ac-
quired in Benning, the House District
Committee had before it today all
essential testimony to guide its action
on the nuisance industries bill.
Unable to give satisfactory break
down of all the expenses said to have
been involved in the purchase price
requested by Chairman Mary T Nor
ton for interested members of Con-
gress-Gobel officials said they would
furnish one for the record later.
Vital Phase Of Controversy.
Questions involved in the Oft
repeated purchase price occupied a
considerable portion of the afternoon
session when Frank M. Firor, presi-
kH>llU VI OilC SOOSl LII LIZ " do oSSbll 411S
In view of the concerted demand made
by the company for compensation If
forced out of the Benning area, 1t is
figured such matters will have an i'm
portant final bearing on the anti
nuisance bill.
Aided by company attorneys, Firor
had attacked the legislation as con-
1f 80 rir
and charged that it would drive it
out of Benning. D. Albert Clarke
of Washington and former Repre-
sentative Timothy Ainsberry of Ohio,
q special counsel, made the most of
this argument during the hearing.
Both Mrs. Norton and Corporation
Counsel Seal, who managed the hear
ing for proponents of the bill, dis
claimed several times that the 1egis-
1ation was aimed directly at the
Goebel Co.
IT this plant would become a
nuisance per Sc, you can go into
court" Ainsberry shouted at one point.
you don't need this legislation"
Somewhat earlier Clarke had made
the same suggestion and received an
affirmation from Seal that the Dis
trict had powers to declare against
"public nuisance"
Firor Quizzed on Investment.
Firor had previously stated his
company had invested" 81 100000 in
the Benning area and Chairman Nor
ton, seeking enlightenment for various
members Of the House, propounded a
series Of questions. Firor gave the
replies. They were to this effect:
When did Gobel Co. acquire in
terests in the abattoir?"
Answer: I'm 1928"
what was the consideration paid?"
-iror, who had previously stated
She price for the record, replied he
was unable to give a break down, due
TO many complications involved.
Was any payment made in stock?"
Answer: "It was an all cash consid-
Grafton" He explained some local
stock had been given, but that it was
Immediately converted into cash.
"Is Gobel a foreign corporaticn?"
Answer: "It is incorporated In the
State of New York"
who are the principal stockhold-
ers?"
Answer: "There are 1900 stock
holders. It would be hard to tell"
F1ror added that there Is no con-
trolling group"
Questioned on Patents.
ibid Goebel acquire any patent
E1ghts?"
Answer: Certain trade marks, good
win and killing rights, but no patents
except killing rights"
Mrs. Norton remarked that she
would call them patent rights" nev-
ertheless.
What we're the values Of these
patent rights?" she resumed.
Answer: "The most valuable are the
killing rights-$150,000."
MAY these killing rights be exer-
cised anywhere else than in Washing
ton?"
Here Firor did not give direct an
swer. He began explaining somet1ing
about having to 60 long way, per-
haps, and about finding a place with
railroad tracks convenient.
Wasn't the land in Benning as
oessed at $70,776?"
Answer: 1.-THE record speaks for
ITSELF"
Seal interjected at this point to say
that the land formerly had been as