The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-03

Washington. February 2.-(SpeciaLi The speech of Representative Almon Of the Eighth Alabama district, in defense of the Muscle Shoals projects, recently assailed by Representative Longworth of Ohio. follows:
 MT Almon. MT. Chairman: The House has been furnished another contribution of transformation about the govern ment nitrate plant at Muscle Shoals on thet Tennessee river in north Alabama by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Long worth).
 As the representative of the district in which Muscle Shoals is located, l deem it proper at this time to correct some at least of the transformation furnished the House and the country from time to time about this great de- velopment. In the national defense act approved June 3, 1916, almost a year before our country entered the war, provision was made for government ni- trate plants for the purpose of provid- ing munitions for the army and navy in time of war and for the manufac- ture of fertilizer in peace times. The gentleman from Ohio opposed this pro- vision at the time and has thrown ev cry obstacle that he could in the way of having this provision of Congress carried out. After many months of investi gation by government authorities the principal nitrate plant was located al Muscle Shoals and was constructed as an urgent war measure. The gentle man was opposed to that location. He has, for some reason I know not why, opposed for many years the great water power development at Muscle Shoals He has recently made many complaints ab>ut the cest of this plant. It has no doubt cost far more than it would in peace times. It was constructed by the American Cyanamid company on a cost plus per cent basis like the can comments and many other government enterprises which were necessary to train and equip an army with which to win the war.
 do not understnd why he singles out eXtravcaganc at Muscle Shoals and at no other lpace. Is it because 1t is located in the south. or is it because it is the purpose of the government to engage in the bushes of manufactur- ing fertilizer for the benefit of the farmers of the country? Let him an- swer.
 NO OBJECTION TO INVESTIGATIO
 He says that he wants Congress to investigate what has been done at Mus cle Shoals by the war department. 1
  as to what has been done by the gov ernment at Muscle Shoals, Hog Island, or anywhere else. It may be shown. and no doubt will, that this plant, like all other things done by the government during the war, cost more than it would in peace times, and more than it should cost.
 trust that the gentleman from Ohio, MT. Longworth, like the gentleman from Ohio, MT. Switzer, and many other members of Congress, will visit Muscle Shoals and inform himself upon the pos abilities of this development I shall be glad to entertain him and show him any and all courteses during his visit, and have no doubt but that he will come back to Congress and correct some mistakes which he has made and de- clare himself in favor of this develop ment.
 As far as I know, every one who has acquainted himself with the advan- tages and possib at Muscle Shoals approves of its selection for this plant. This location was approved by the Ma tional Farmers union, many state farmers associations, the Southern Commercial congress, and many state legislatures, including Ohio. It Is the best location for distribution of fer tiliZer to those parts of the United States using the greates amount of fer tilizer.
 STATEMENT NOT BORNE OUT
 He has said that Muscle Shoals has been repeatedly turned down by Con- gress. This statement Is not borne out by the record. At one time before I was