The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
RIVER LEGISLATION URGED ON CONGRESS . BY GEORGIA SOLONS
Resolutions Call Attention to Importance of Making Nitrates Both in War
 and Peace

Atlanta, November I5.--(SpeciaL 1.-The Georgia legislature now in extraordinary session, today finally passed a resolu- tion similar to resolutions already passed by the legislatures of Alabama and Ten nessee, urging congressional attention to the development of certain rivers in Geor- gia, Tennessee and Alabama which, 1t Is pointed out. will eventuate in the devel- opment of an industry that will give the farmers of the south the fertilizers they are now using at cost of % to 40 per cent less than they arc compelled to pay
 under existing conditions.
 The pro ject in question also has impor-
 tant bearing on the question. now upper most. of national preparedness, in that 1t contemplates the manufacture of ni- trates. extensively used in powder mak- ing at a cost far less than is now in- vclved in the purchase of this country from Chili. practically our sole available source of nitrates as Germany has been our sole source of potash
 The resolution passed by joint action of the senate and house, and now sent to Governor Harris for ris approval. strongly commends the attitude of Presi- dent Wilson, in the matter of national preparedness, points how Germany has used her own natural resources to great advantage in the prosecution of the war, and how the United States has it within her power to do the same thing. The particular object in view is to make this country independent of Chili in the matter of our supply or nitrates, and 1t t1 cfA fn6 tInt ,,xxt- cpment or certain rivers In the states named and notably of Muscle Shoals in the Tennessee river long project of na- tional interest, there can and will be founded an extensive enterprise that will supply these nitrates through the chem ical absorption and fixing of the nitrogen of the air that will soive the farmers problem at least to the extent af vastly cheapening the product. The United States buys from Chili approximately $6,- Ur,to0 worth of nitrates year, this being the average for the last 90 years The mount is now considerably greater 1t is used both as fertilizer and in the making of powder ana other explosives. The resolution as passed by the two branches of the Georgia legislature, calls attention tc these facts. and provides for the appointment by the governor of committee of 10 representative citizens to visit Washington during the coming session of Congress to advocate the use fitness and the efficiency of this project in both of the directions stated Similar committees have already been author ized and appointed from Alabama and Tennessee.
 The resolution in part says:
 We specifically urge upon the senators
 end members of the lower house of Con- gress from the state of Georgia that they press upon the attention of President Wilson and Secretaries or War and Agri- culture, and urge upon the naval and military committees and the agriculture | committees of both houses of Congress, and serious consideration of the great water powers in the Chattahoochee river the Coosa river. the Tarapoosa river and notably at Muscle Shoals in the Ten
 nessee river. which pe developed by
 the builojng of locks ana cams, not only
 improving the navigation of these
 streams so long neglected and greatly
 needed. but also with rnese cheap water
 powers providing the nation with it's ni-
 trates for explosives in times of war and
 providing the farmers with their needed
 nitrogen for the fertilization of crops in
 the times of peace"
 Plans of development of certain of
 these waterways both for navigation and
 the otrer ends indicated. have already
 been worked out and approved by the
 United States engineering corps and a
 numher of documents have already been
 issued on the subject. The feasibility of
 the project Is already assured, but it is
 olie that requires effort on 6 gigantic
 scale The ultimate result, however. is
 ore ot such vast importance that if is
 arouslng widespread and enthusiastic in
 terest