Evening journal., 1916-04-08
SENATE clashes ON
nitrate PLANT BILL
Continued from First Page,

of F. S. Washburn and J. W. Worth
ington who appeared before the
House Military Committee to favor a
plan for government cooperation in
nitrogen plant, with various South
ern power and fertilizer companies.
The Massachusetts Senator said these
companies we're all interlocking, the
Alabama Power Company, one OF
those mentioned. controlling the ma
iority OF them, and that they un-
doubtedly would profit by the ac-
I ceDtance OF the Mussel Shoals, Ala,
/ project.
Senator Underwood denied this.
assertion that the Alabama Power
( Company was opposed to the plan.
His amendment he added. favored
no specific project but only sought
a full investigation of the subject
Senator Lodge declared that by
leaving private enterprises alone the
government could get nitrogen cheap
er than in any other way.
Senator Underwood later read let
ters from Charles b. lands and Hugh
l.. Cooper, who are connected with
the dupont Company. and who lMr.
Underwood had charged had been in
Washington lobbying against a gov
ernment nitrate plant. Mr.. lands and
Mr. Cooper protested against the
charges OF Mr.. Underwood and as
serted they were not lobbying.
Did Not Reflect.
Senator Underwood charged that
the DUPONT Company is opposing a
government nitrate plant. "ln my re-
marks the other day I did not reflect
upon the company, its officers or
agents" he added.
Senator Salisbury said he knew Mr.
lands very well. "and knew him very
pleasantly" The first time he ever
met Mr.. Cooper. he said, was when
Cooper called at his Office a few days
ago and asked him to introduce the
nitrate plant bill proposed by the du-
POnt Company. He later inquired
about Mr.. Cooper. he said and learned
/ from Senator Walsh. OF Montana. that
Mr.. Cooper was an eminent hydro
electric engineer. The next time Mr..
Cooper called. Senator Salisbury said.
! he suggested that Cooper should get
a. ANtiANaN nun ANt UlfoiNtHi vi the Nu-
( Pont-Company for him to introduce the
bill. That evening or the next morn
ing Senator Salisbury said, he re-
ceived the following telegram:
AZ Company's Request.
: Wilmington. Del. March q. 1916
Senator Willard Salisbury:
"Endeav0red 10 call you by phone
this evening. hut your phone reported
out Of order. Would greatly appre-
ciate your introducing the bill as re-
I quested by our Mr.. Cooper.
PIERRE S. DUPONT"
Senator Salisbury said the only time
he had seen Mr. Cooper since was
whom he visited the Senator's Office
the day following with Hamilton NJ
Barksdale. vice-president OF the du.
Pont Company. who was a classmate
of Senator Salisbury and Senator I'm.
derwoOd at the University OF Virginia
AT Mr. Barksdale's request" contin
ued Senator Salisbury, 81 asked IN,
Senator from Alabama n he would So,
Mr.. Barksdale and have him fully *
plain 10 him the position OF the du
Pont Company that Mr.. Barksdale GER
tainly represents in this matter by
reason OF his position"
Plant Long Contemplated. ......
Senator Underwood interiected that
he would be glad 10 see Mr.. Barksdale
az any time. Senator Salisbury ex-
planned that Mr.. Barkedale told him
the DUPONT Company was considering
establishing IFS nitrate plant some
where in North America when the Eu-
ropean war broke out, which has caus-
ed the company TO feel that the plant
should be established within the
United States
II think il would he only Just TO the
people OF this country who are entitled
10 have manufactured within their
borders all the necessaries of war
said Senator Salisbury, that the gov
ernment might say to the dupont
Company: We should be glad to have
you proceed with the manufacture at
other points than those which we re-
serve for our own possible use.' or to
tell them that they prefer that there
should be a government monopoly Of
the production Of nitric acid from the
atmosphere
These people are perfectly ready
and willing 10 go ahead. and, as !
understand the matter. are post
poning it from the very proper de-
sire. for which I think every member
OF this body should honor them, to
manufacture within this country the
necessaries which enter into the
manufacture Of the munitions OF war.
thereby giving this country control OF
its own supply Of powder in case we
should have a war with some foreign
: country"