Evening star., 1938-04-05
BY JOHN H. CLINE.

BY JOHN H. CLINE.
The congressional investigation of
the Tennessee Valley Authority got off
to bad start today, as the two Sem
ate Republican members of the inves-
tigating committee-Minority Leader
McNary and Senator Borah-an-
nounced they had declined to serve.
An indication that the action of the
Republicans was prompted in part by
resentment at the manner in which
the committee was selected by Vice
President Garner was seen in state
ment from Senator McNary that he
had not been consulted in advance.
The Vice President told me that
on the selection of Republican men,
bers of the committee" the minority
leader said. I'm just child in the
woods"
In announcing his refusal to serve,
Senator Borah said he had never
known of successful joint congress
sional investigation and didn't believe
"in conducting investigations by the
town meeting method"
The Democratic Senators named to
the committee are Donahey of Ohio,
Brown of New Hampshire and
Schwartz of Wyoming, 1t was ex-
pected all of them would accept ap-
pointment.
Successors Not Decided On.
Vice President Garner indicated he
had not decided on successors to Sem
ators Borah and McNary.
The House members of the commit
tee, named by Speaker Bankhead, are
Representatives Mead of New York,
Driver Of Arkansas and Thomason of
Texas, Democrats; Jenkins of Ohio
and Wolverton of New Jersey, Repub-
licans. So far as could be learned
there have been no designations from
the House committee.
Senator Borah submitted his resig-
nation few minutes after the Vice
President had announced the person.
mel of the Senate committe.
Seemingly irritated by the refusal
Of the Idaho Senator to serve, Mr.. Gar
ner told reporters: Senator Borah has
submitted his resignation, explaining
that he did not care to serve. I tried
to talk him out of resigning, but could
not do it."
McNary Gives Reasons.
Senator McNary gave several rea-
sons for his refusal to participate.
He said he had told the Vice Presi-
dent that the investigation was to be
held some 5000 miles from his home
and that he expected to be busy in
Oregon this summer as a member of
the Republican Campaign Commit
tee. He also said he felt in need of
a rest before starting in on those
duties.
Asked If he had been consulted by
the Vice President concerning the
Republican members of the commit
tee. Senator McNary replied:
Mr.. Garner told me at the start
that he did not want to confer with
me concerning the Republican men,
bers. I'm just child in the woods.
don't want to shirk my responsibility,
but 1 don't feel that I can serve
under the circumstances. There are
plenty of other good men who might
be appointed"
Senator McNary said he might have
been able to serve if the investigation
was to be held later. It is expected,
however, that the inquiry will be
started as soon as possible.
May Hold Hearings Here.
He said the Vice President had told
him the committee might hold its
hearings here before adjournment and
after the convening of the next ses-
sion, with technical experts doing the
necessary work in the valley area
during the interim.
strued as indicating Senator McNary
might serve under those circum-
stances, he declined to confirm that
impression.
The committee members are ex-
pected to meet this afternoon or to-
morrow to work out tentative plans
for the investigation.
The personnel of the group con-
forms to the demands of Senator
Norris, father of T. v. A." and
Majority Leader Barkley for a nom
partisan group, such conspicuous T.
v. A. opponents as Senator Bridges,
Republican of New Hampshire. and
Chairman May of the House Military
Affairs Committee failing of appoint
ment.
The President signed the resolu-
ton late yesterday.
It was expected that little time
would be lost in getting the inquiry
actually started Senator Norris ex-
pressed the opinion that the committee
should devote its attention to the T. v.
A. and then, as the resolution directs,
investigate the court fight waged
against the Government agency by
private power interests.
Senator Norris, who has insisted
that the investigation would turn up
nothing adverse to T. v. AS reputa-
ton, said that phase Of the inquiry
should be disposed Of quickly.