jan 1, 1935 - Utility Company Contribution Ban

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As part of a more general Act on the breakup of monopoly utility companies, the existing ban on contributions from corporations and banks to federal election campaigns was extended to public utility companies which had grown in power and influence since the original 1907 legislation.

It was revealed by Senator Hugo Black that there was a fake nationwide campaign orchestrated by the electric industry to make it look like there was real public opposition to the legislation. On August 8th, Senator Black went on nationwide radio prime time to describe the $5 million (that's $93 million today) spent against the legislation. He accused the head of AG&E, Howard C. Hopson, of near bankrupting the company by spending over $700,000 opposing the legislation.

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