Detroit evening times., 1945-10-03

DEEDY asked Wickard II hs
- had told The late Senator
Norris of Nebraska, the story
of alleged maladministration
that had occurred under Secre-
tary Wallace. before you came
in. that had been reported 10
you"
Wickard couldn't remember.
and his memory failed hum as 10
several more questions.
Then Beedy asked him, Did
you have any ideas at the time
about what YOU were going to
do about it,"
"Yes." Wickard said, "but I
don't think II would he In the
public interest 10 discuss these
at the present time"
I'VE (the committed are try
ing Ia find out what has been
done by you % remedy alleged
maladministration, tn iryesti-
gate charges Of wrong g-doing,"
Beedy continued.
Now Beedy came 10 the Bra
-zos Transmission line in Texas.
The Texas Power and Light Co.
a private concern. didn't want
this r. K. a. project 20 be built"
he said. Mr. Wickard did con-
descend 10 say that he had dis
cuSsed tins case with some
people down in Texas" But to
direct question he refused TO
name these people.
Q-"Did you discuss il with
Elliott Roosevelt
A-"No, sir"
DEEDY then presented Elliott Q
ID letter 10 Steve II was
three pages long and a plea 10
steve on behalf OF Texas
Power and Light
The letter granted that II was
good idea 10 extend electric
service in west and central Texas
but said there was mo excuse
whatever" 10 establish expert
mental plants" or "yardsucks"
In the eastern area.
II am genuinely and person
ally interested I'm this thing"
Elliott wrote Steve" 81 know
that II involves a major policy
hut policy which has not so
far received the sanction Of the
President. It IN new and un-
tried. II might, II unsuccessful
from the standpoint Of provid-
Ing adequate and continuous
service, do more harm To the
rural electrification program
than good. know these people
down here and know they will
do anything necessary TO n full
cooperation with any federal
agency and still stay In business"
%
COME Of the people down there
- previouslyxs had softened
hot OIL criminal case by the
social approach TO the White
House. as a measure OF their
"full co-operation" with the
government. OF this, more par
tiCulars later.
"If you need any facts FL
lott wrote. zeal me and I will
get them or tell vow who Ia get
In touch with. Please do every
thing you can % see To II that
nothing IL decided until can
see YOU in Washington-prob-
ably next Wednesday evening IL
you're available"
MIR. Beedy seemed 20 think
this Intervention by the PreSi-
dents son through the White
House in a matter affecting big
private capital interests was
pertinent 10 his own interest in
irregularities in the r. r A.
81 refer To IT," he said. "be-
cause ! have been questioning
the secretary tWickard) about
what he did 10 investigate any
charges with reference to NAL
feasance or misfeasance In tho
administration OF the X. r. A.
either within or without IT,"
DEEDY said he was informed
~ that the power line eventu-
ally was built with r. r. A.
money and a colloquy developed
the clear fact that there was a
rivalry in which Elliott's friends.
the private interests, wanted the
power for sale for profit. y
Fhe nature Of Elliott'S own
genuine" and personal" inter.
est, as to whether he might gain
money, was not brought out.
There was no statement as 10
whether his friends paid him a