Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-22
Rome Deserves the Nitrate Plant;
All Georgia Should Support Her.

All Georgia should pub for Rome the loca-
tiOn for the Government nitrate plant, not simply
a matter of State interest and pride but because
of the rock-ribbed merit of that community's
claims.
More than two hundred towns throughout the
United States asked to be considered as possible
sites for the plant. Nineteen have been selected
for further investigation. Rome is Of them.
That of itself is significant. because the contest
was peculiarly keen from the outset and the Gov
eminent engineers applied rigid processes of elmi-
nation 1t is evident, then, that Rome fills the
broad requirements of what is needed. More than
that it offers advantages distinctly its which
entitle it to especial consideration.
Among these its resources for cheap and
abundant water power. Government expert who
visited Rome and went thoroughly the ground
declared that the two rivers FLOWING by the city
are capable OF producing power enough to operate
not only one but several such pants that con-
templated. 1t is worth noting, moreover-if prox-
unity to coal and iron resources are important in
this connection. the Tennessee and Alabama
towns which are competing for the plant insist
that Rome is at the center of great coal and iron
district.
While the primary purpose of the Government
plant will be the production of nitrates for ammuni
tion its surplus output will be available for use
in the manufacture of fertilizer. As far as the
ordinary interests and needs of the country are
concerned, that will be the most valuable service
the plant will render, because it will thereby open
a way to new opportunities and vast economies in
agriculture. For every dollars worth of nitrate
which we import from Chile-now the only appre-
cable source of supply-we pay the Chilean
Government duty of sixty per cent This tax
amounts to millions OF dollars year, and is paid
largely by the American farmers, particularly those
of the South. Obviously, then, the Government
nitrate producing plant should be located some
where in the fertilizer-consuming territory, pro-
vided, OF course, that the other important condi-
lions are fulfilled.
In this respect as well in water power re-
sources, Rome would make an admirable location.
Georgia and South Carolina nearly as much
fertilizer as all the rest of the South and together
all the rest of the Union. nitrate plant at Rome
would be convenient to this farming territory and
thus would serve a great purpose in economic as
well as military preparedness
There is no other Georgia city among the nine
teen eligible places which the Government is con-
sdering The entire State. therefore, should throw
all the strength ii muster to Romes deserving
cause. The Georgia delegation at Washington has
pledged its united aid. number of boards of
trade and chambers Of commerce have taken due
action; all should do without delay. The estab-
lishmeht of the even-mIion-dollar plant in Geor
gia would be of incaIcuIabIe value to the entire
be placed squarely behind this good Georgia city
which is making a splendid effort and which stands
an excellent opportunity to the nitrate plant