Evening star., 1938-03-04
HEARING ASSURED
0NPR0BE OF IVA.
Copeland Group to Take Up
Resolution Asking
Quiz Fund.

CHAIRMAN Copeland OF the Senate
Committee on Commerce today PROM
1sed an early hearing on the Bridges
King resolution for an investigation OF
the Tennessee Valley Authority, which
threatens to prove major source Of
embarrassment to the New Deal.
This resolution. calling for the ap-
preparation of $4,000 to finance an
investigation OF all phases of the T.
v. A. controversy, was introduced by
Senator Bridges Republican. of New
Hampshire, and Senator King, Demo-
crat. of Utah after r. v. A. Chairman
A. E. Morgan had demanded a probe
of alleged improper conduct Of the
agency's affairs.
Some time ago, Senator Norris, In
dependent. of Nebraska submitted a
resolution calling for an investigation
Of r. " A. by the Federal Trade Com
mission, presumably hoping by this
method to avert political investi-
cation. The Nebraska Senator, known
as the father of r. v. A." has been
one of that agency's most active cham
piOns.
Senator Bridges, however, said he is
strongly opposed to the proposal that
the Federal Trade Commission con-
duct the investigation.
Whitewash Feared.
Il am opposed to the resolution by
Senator Norris" he declared. because
l don't believe the Senate should au-
thorize one hand of the Government
to whiteWash the other. 1t seems
highly improper to me that one agency
created by Congress should be en-
powered to investigate another. agency
created by Congress"
The dissension between Chairman
Morgan and his associates on the
T. v. A. Board-Dr. H. A. Morgan and
David Lilienthal-flared into the open
during hearing on claims by Senator
Berry, Democrat. of Tennessee and q
group Of associates for IS .000, 900 COM
pensation for marble deposits flooded
by the waters Of Norris Dam.
President Roosevelt revealed mean
while that he is studying a statement
of the conflict in policy among the
T. V. A. board members submitted
TO him by Mr.. Lilienthal and DR..
Morgan. He said the statement was
dated January l8.
A three man Federal commission
ruled recently that the Berry claims
were worthless. The latter announced
in Knoxville, Tenn. last night that he
would welcome full and complete"
investigation of T. V. A.
Especially Senator Berry said.
would l welcome an investigation of
my relationship with the T. " A.. be-
cause 1 am exceedingly Interested to
know If an arm Of the Government can
conflscate the property Of tax-paying
citizen without due process of law, as
guaranteed by the Constitution" He
said the commissions decision would
be appealed to the Federal courts.
Held Fraud Attempt.
During the hearing Chairman Nor
gan testified to his belief that the
Berry claims constituted an attempt
10 defraud the Government
Among some administration leaders
at the Capitol there developed last
night an attempt to suppress an inves-
tigation of the Federal power agency.
Speaker Bankhead predicted Chair
man Morgan's request would be ig-
nored. Representative Smell of New
York. the minority leader. and Repre-
sentative Maverick. Democrat, of
Texas. however. offered resolutions
calling for an investigation. Other
members of the House already had
submitted similar resolutions
Senator Norris asserted that Chair
man Morgan's demand for a probe
gave laid and comfort" to enemies of
r. " A.
The Nebraskan contended DR.. Nor
gan's suggested inquiry would be
directed principally at the other r.
V. A. board members.
Directing attention to the T. v. A.
phosphate fertilizer program. Senator
Bridges also called upon President
Roosevelt to submit to Congress at
once his promised message on phos-
pilates.