Tycoon's Expense Account

Through the malodorous mazes of the Associated Gas & Electric system now in reorganization (TIME, March 4) one man used to walk with a sure foot--moonfaced Howard C. Hopson, who put it together, kept the diagram under his fedora.

Since heart disease retired Howard Hopson, many a public agency has sat up nights trying to trace his transactions among A.G.& E.'s 18 holding companies, its 154 operating units.

More entertaining than most details uncovered were Hoppy's personal expense accounts, which his operating companies shared the honor of paying. Months ago the Federal Power Commission gravely looked over expense accounts which included such items as a 10-c- bone for an unidentified dog, other amounts for garters, suspenders, socks, flowers. Last week the New York Public Service Commission had another list, dug up by one of its exploring accountants. Examples: $410 for photographs (of Hopson), $956 for liquor, $337 for cigars, $1,218 for fruit, $49.50 for a bowl to put it in. An item reflecting the high cost of living away from home: $125 to install a $68.85 radio in a hotel room.

Last week the Federal Power Commission heard more about Hoppy's cavalier manner of running his $1,000,000,000 system. The 1937 board meeting, said a commission attorney, was postponed 59 times, finally held two years behind schedule in May 1939. A week later was held the 1938 meeting, after only 35 postponements.

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