Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-05
RedppoinfIIlenf
OF LauderdaIe
Brings Debate
Senate Group Due
10 Act on Nomination
Probably in Week
By Harold B, Rogers

r.
The nomination Of James W.
Lauderdale for reappointment to
the Public Utilities Commission
was attacked and defended TODAY
before the Senate District Com
mittee.
Senator Buck, Republican Of
Delaware, committee chairman, an
rounced after the hearing that he
would call an executive session of
his unit probably within q week to
act on the nomination.
Mr.. Laudsrdale's nomination was
opposed by spokesman for the IN
d'tstrial Union Council, CIo; the
Women's Auxiliary; United Public
Workers % America, CLIO: and the
National Association of Colored
Women, Washington branch.
Appears In Own Defense.
Mr.. Lauderdale appeared in his
own defense and was strongly rec
commended by Chairman James H.
Flanagan of the PUG and John H.
Connaughton, vice chairman of the
Public Utilities Committee of the
Federation of Citizens Associations.
The attack on MIR. Lauderdale
conferred on the recent action of the
PUG in denying a petition filed by
the Clio for reconsideration OF the
PUCs recent order increasing fares
OF the Capital Transit Co.
John oDea, peoples counsel, tes-
titled personally to the integrity
and ability" Of Mr.. Lauderdale. He
told the committee, however, that hes
felt the PUG had acted with haste
in promulgating its order for the
rate increase on Thursday, May 8,
to take effect Sunday morning,
May IL.
Token Extension Sought.
Mr.. O'Dea also told the comnit-
tee Of his unsuccessful plea to get
the Capital Transit Co. to validate
the tokens beyond the effective
date OF the rate increase.
The fares of the transit line were
increased by its order from three
tokens for a quarter and weekly
pass of SIPS to l0-cent cash fare
and a weekly pass Of $1.50.
Henry Beitscher, president of the
Industrial Union Council, who pre-
sented the principal opposition to
the nomination, announced that his
organization would continue its
court fight against the increase Id
fare.
He had gone into some detail
with the committee to explain the
history Of his organizations unsuc-
cessful attempts to block the order.
In two different motions in District
Court, he related, Justice F. Dickin-
son Let's had denied efforts Of his
anti to stay the rate increase.
CLIO Lawyer Weighs Appeal.
Whether counsel for the CLIO will
make another move in District
Court or got to the Court Of Appeals
with their case was a question now
under consideration by CLIO attor-
neys, Mr.. Beitscher said.
Several members of the District
Committee commented with crit
icism on what they considered un-
due haste of the PUG in ordering
its rate increase and also denying
the CLIO plea for reconsideration at
3:05 am. May IL.
Committee members, however, In
Dictated that the rate case itself
was matter for the courts and
not for the Senate District Com
mittee.
Mr.. Beitscher had concluded his
attack on MIR. Lauderdale by asking
the committee to make an inves-
tigation of its own of the rate case,
He had recommended that the COM
mittee engage as its counsel Greg
DRY Hankin, former Public Utilities
commissioner here.
MIR. Lauderdale had been approved
once before for confirmation in his
present post by both the Senate Dis
trict Committee and the Senate
itself during this Eigthieth Congress.
His first nomination was made by
President Truman to fill the unex-
pired term of James Francis Reilly.
resigned.
Fraud Is Charged.
The Senate confirmed him for this
short interim term and he was nomi-
mated again recently by President
Truman to succeed himself.
Most critical of the action OF the
PUG in the case presented by the
CLIO were Senators Capper, Repub-
lican, of Kansas, former chairman
Of the Senate District Committee;
Sparkman, Alabama, and Holland,
OF Florida, both Democrats.
In giving so short time between
PRONUNCIATION of their order and its
effective date and in denying their
petition for reconsideration. Mr..
Beitscher charged the PUG with
preparation OF a fraud on resi-
dents of the District"
That's pretty strong statement"
commented Senator Buck.
Senator Cain, Republican, Of
Washington, asked the witness II
he had any evidence to justify such
q charge as fraud.
Mr. Beitscher responded that this
rate increase had mot been legally
authorized +"