Evening star., 1938-02-06

"America is deciding
1ohether there shall be a
Strengthening OF democratic
methods -" or 1Dhether Ue shall
drift into bitter class contro-
DerSieS. - ="
also has come from Senator McNary Of
Oregon, Republican leader. who has said
he favored broad investigation. probably
by the Senate Agriculture Committee
If any Of these proposals reaches the
stage of an actual investigation, which
appears probable, one Of the first considera-
tions should be study OF the personality
and background of each member of the
board
Although DR.. Arthur Morgan the chair
man, came to the Authority from a post
as president Of Antioch College, he is essen
TALLY an engineer who has directed or
been connected with many important prof.
ects, DR.. Morgan is more of a PHILOSOPHICAL
thinker than reformer as evidenced by
some OF his 'Education-The
Mastery of the Arts of Life" The Human
Goal of Education" and My World" It
was his writings as president OF Antioch
that f1rst attracted the attention of Presi.
cent Roosevelt. He is 50 years old.
Mr.. Lilienthal was only 80 years old
"nen the President appointed him to the
BOARD At the time of his appointment
ne had already attracted attention as
legal authority on public utility matters
and had been associated in practice with
Donald A. Richberg. formerly head of
~ X. A. At the request of Gov. Phillp
La follette he accepted the post OF
public utilities commissioner for Wisconsin
and instituted many notable reforms As
result Of his long experience in the
utility field, he brought with him to the
board deep-seated suspicion of the
motives of utility operators.
DR., Harcourt Morgan. the vice chairman
Is 10 years old an entomologist, and
former president OF the University of
Tennessee. Although the President is sun.
poseo 10 nave considered him seriously as
secretary OF Agriculture, he was virtually
unknown nationally when named to
T. V. A. His early manhood was devoted
to combating the cattle tick and chart.
ing the migrations Of the boil weevil, but
although he had no engineering or utility
background. he came to T. v. A. with a
broad outlook on life and a sincere devo.
ton to cause of the common man" of
the South.
Rift Hinted Year Arn
Although there had long been r,,mors
That all was not we'll within r. v. A. the
flrst deflnite public indication that some
thing was awry came on January II, 1887.
when Chairman Morgan made public a
lengthy statement expounding his views of
the proper functions Of the Authority.
At that time, Mr. Lilenthal was COM
mltted to mo surrender" policy, and Dr.
morgan, without mentioning his associates
name, directly crossed him by urging
national truce with the utilities. The
chairman was also understood to he
taking direct slap at his associate when
he asked: Shall men who administer a
public project drift into an attitude of a
hight to finish against the private power
companies?"
Later IN his statement, DR.. Morgan
summed up his outlook in these words:
America Is deciding little by little
whether in the great social readjustments
that are taking place, there shall be q
strengthening of democratic methods.
reasonableness, fair play and open dealing,
or whether We shall drift into bitter class
controversies which lead to violent and
arbitrary action. so prevalent today in
several other countries That issue is 10
serious. and the destiny of our country is
80 much at stake, that a spirit Of tolerance
and reasonableness on both sides il 4
public obligation"
Inspires Phase Of INQUIRY.
In all probability that statement formed
the basis for the inquiry by Senator Norris
as to whether any member of the board
meaning DR.. Morgan. holds once without
believing in the feasibility and wisdom
of the act or whether he has given aid
directly or indirectly, to the private power
companies in their legal proceedings against
the Authority. Certainly, it closed the
door to possibility Of reconciliation be-
tween Mr.. Lilienthal and the chairman,
and probably offended the President, whose
utility program did not conform to the
views expressed by DR.. Morgan.
Up to that point the position OF Dr. H. A.
Morgan, the vice chairman, had not been
made entirely clear. Last December, how
ever, he came out strongly on the side Of
Mr. Llienthal
At that time the Authority was engaged
in litigation with Senator Berry of Tennes-
see and group Of his associates concerning
the value, If any, of marble deposits in
lands to be flooded by r. " A. dams. The
Senator had acquired leases to much Of the
property and sought . heavy indemnity