Evening star., 1938-07-20
Inquiry Thrown in Turmoil
as 0uSted Chairman
Tells of Gag
MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE
SHOUT AT EACH OTHER
Jenkins Tells Counsel It Would
Be Favor to Nation if He
Resigned Post.
BACKGROUND

OF the Tennessee Valley Authority,
Was long in disagreement NTH his
two associates on the Authority
ouer its policies. He made public
charges against them, and Prssi-
dent Roosevelt called upon him to
PROVE the charges. DR.. Morgan re-
fused to present his proof in ses-
stons called By the President at the
White House, and Mr.. Roosevelt
thereupon remoDed DR.. Morgan
from Office. Congress authorized a
probe OF the T. v. A. situation, and
DR.. Morgan also has challenged the
Presidents action in court.
Ps the Associated Press.
KNOXVILLE, July 2o.-Dr. Arthur
E. Morgan threw the congressional in
vestigation Of r. v. A. into a turmoil
today when he charged the committee
counsel. Francis Biddle, had ordered
him not to talk TO r. V. A. employees
except in his presence.
The statement brought shouted oues-
tions from the investigators. Repre-
sentative jenkins. Republican. of Ohio
told Mr. Biddle you will do this COM
mittee and the country a great favor"
by reSigning.
DR.. Morgan took the stand for the
third consecutive day to pile up
charges against his former associates
In the T. v. A. directorate.
Il have been informed by counsel
tMr. Biddle) not to talk to employees
of the T. v. A. except in the presence
Of counsel" he said.
Took Action on Himself.
Mr.. Jenkins asked if Mr.. Biddle was
authorized to take such action.
Il took upon myself the authorize
ton for DR.. Morgan to see any wit
nesses that thought wise to Use my
ofhce." Mr.. Biddle said.
Chairman Vic Donahey. Democrat
Of Ohio. said the committees policies
were free and above-board and we
have asked any one to come before
the committee to tell us what he
might know of the administration OF
the T. v. A."
Mr.. Biddle broke in I'VE are con-
Quoting this probe and not Dr.
Morgan"
Representative Wolverton. Repubh-
can, of New Jersey. asked: Has there
been any procedure whereby DR.. Nor
gan must see counsel before he has
access to T. v. A. records or T. V. A.
employees"
Yes" DR.. Morgan replied.
Mr.. Wolverton-"Do you prefer free
and open access to them?"
Dr. Morgan-"I have been informed
that T. v. A. employees were instructed
not to see me- Therefore. it has been
feasible that I work through commit
tee counsel in seeing employees and
records.
L move" said Mr. Jenkins, that
any person wishing to appear before
this committee apply to the clerk and
any one be permitted to interview any
T. v. A. employe at any time"
Fly Enters Discussion.
This was seconded by Senator Davis
Republican. of Pennsylvania. but be-
fore vote was taken the T. v. As
general counsel. James Lawrence Fly
hurried to Mr.. Biddles side and asked
permission to testify.
L can state the T. v. A. has no
objections to DR.. Morgan talking to
employees at any time. The only re-
quest is that the board be notified
and then these conferences be ar
ranged through the proper administra-
tive officials" Mr.. Fly said.
IF he Is permitted to 60 in secret
to see the employees, the result will
be utter decentralization of the T. v. A.
staff"
Mr.. Jenkins-"Do you mean to say
that the $4,000 employees of this great
organization can't talk? You want to
(See T. v. A., Page A-4)