The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06
COMMITTEE SITS
 IN OPEN SESSION;
 TAKES NO ACTION
Northern Alabama Citizens to Fight to End Against Repeal, But Apparently Face Defeat
7. W. WORTHINGTON
By HUGH W. ROBERTS


 \ cial.)-J. w. Worthinston, vice. president of the Alabama Power
 company, and large delegation
 representing the membership of
 the Tennessee River Improving as-
 sociation, declared to the senate
 committee on finance and taxation
 this afternoon that repeal of the
 clauses exemptIng this corporation
 from taxation would mean the
 probable abandonment of the
 greatest enterprise in the south
 today, the development of Muscle
 shoals.
 The committee. respecting the exemp- tion clauses is almost evenly divided the impression being that seven of it's IS mem- bers will vote to undo the action of the legislature of 1907 Despite this fact. the delegation from the valley, determined that the cause which lies next their hearts shall not die. are preparing to go down fighting in the last ditch The peo- pie from the counties laved by the Ten nessee will remain in Montgomery until the issue is decided.
 The committee sat in open session. and the chamber of the senate was crowded r. oh tI aft rt-t. CTS endeayored to impress. the legislators with the scope of the enterprise, the great development 1t would produce, the benen- cent results 1t would achieve and the great population it would bring to the hills and valleys of the state. The com mittee, however appeared to be more in- terested in whether or not the well known citizens of north Alabama came to Mont gomery on tickets furnished by the Ala bama Power company and in solving the problem of how the company can sell electric current for certain figure. and permit retailers to dispense 1t at another.
 Lusk Asks Quetsions
 Senator Lusk asked several members of the delegation. among them being Capt. w. P. Lay of Gadsden and Dr. Forman of Attalla. whether they had come as the guests of the company or whether they themselves had paid their own transportation. He did not, however, unearth any information causing one to believe that these gentlemen were inter- ested in the Muscle Shoals enterprise through ulterior or improper motive.
 1 to appear before the committee. declared in the beginning that If the exemption clauses were not of benefit. first of all to the people, they should be voted down. He then proceeded to tell of the plans, of the bargain about to be struck by the and the government, and how as a result of the development of 6s0,0o0 and gunpowder, the people would bs the of a period of blessings and riches. He declared that inasmuch as in Alabama only 25,000 horsepower is in use, it was evident that before the capacity of Muscle Shoals could be advantageousy the company would be conn pelled to provide new industries. He stated this fact as proof that the ques- ton pending before the committee was not one of Is candlepower electric globe.
 Continues Address
 Mfr Worthington, continuing his ad- dress. declared that the company had agreed with the government to aid In the of necessary dams to the ex- tent of approximately s26. .O0O.000, and that In making this bid, the exemption from taxation. promised by the state. had been included. He declared positively that 1t was his belief that were the exemption promise revoked. 1t would mean the aban- donment of the project. not only on ac- count of exhaustion of financial resources. but because Congress would be impressed with the idea that 1t would be folly to undertake the development of the shoals at a time when Alabama itself did not care for that development.
 Half dozen other gentlemen followed Mir. Worthington. among the number be- ing R. A. Mitchell of Gadsden. Capt. w F. Lay of Gadsden. c. W. Ashcraft of Florence, and Dr. Forman of Attalla. MT. Ashcraft, vice president of the Tennessee River Improvement association. explained that the abandonment of the Muscle Shoals project would be staggering blow to the people of north Alabama, and permanent check to their material prog ress and development. Each of the speak CTS was compelled in replying to ques- tions to defend themselves against what they considered insinuations as to the character of their motives Despite this fact, nothing of sensational or even dis orderly nature developed.
 The committee adjourned without taking action