The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-03-17
Comprehensive ReUiew of The
Development About Sheffield
hy H. FoNTAINE LITTLE

sheffield. March 6.-(Special.)- Mot
since the Muscle Shoals development
had it's inception on the 27th day of No
vember, 1917. have the stringent re-
strictions been lifted permitting an eX-
tensive inspection and examination OF
the premises of the vast exposition OF
industry, until a collective body or CIT
liens from the Tri-Cities were formally
invited to visit the governments great
plant early this week. 1t is not doubt
ed that many local people learned for
the first time, at least, by viewing for
themselves to what extent the govern
ment had proceeded with one of the
greatest internal developments in its
history And il is not considered un-
likely that this is likewise true with
many people at large, who have been
guilty, perhaps unknowingly If indeed
Intentionally, of "carping criticism OF
this wonderful development. True,
millions of dollars were expended in
building the great industry, but the
government has received full value for
every cent spent, and the most skepti-
cal mind would be relieved of all fears
and doubts that this is so, if only tht
p actual conditions were known instead
of a surmised idea. with which numbers
of follIs perhaps are obsessed. But it
is characteristic of Americans to
promptly dsabuse themselves of any
unwarranted misgivings once it is in
Dictated to them that they have been
misinforned
During these postwar days actual
facts in connection with the Muscle
Shoals development are being estab-
lished. Perhaps the most significant
step in this direction has been the in
vestigation that has been made by de-
partmeut Of justice agents, whose re-
port, it is semi-officially learned, gives
every official and every contracting
firm engaged at Muscle Shoals clean
bin of health" so far as improper ex'
penditures and conditions have beer
considered No scandal of eXtravagant
waste has been found at Muscle Shoals
Amy reports to the contrary are I'M
founded. For these reasons the orr
Gals at the plant, and the contractors
engaged in the construction work ar,
not only have done a creditable worl
due the very highest of praise. They
honestly, but most efficiently. Unless
all signs fail their work of accom-
plishment is going 10 inure to the ever
lasting benefits of the present and flu
ture generations.
CONSTRUCTION DATA
The first construction organization
began work at Muscle Shoals on NO
venlber % 1911. Continuous pl oduc
ton of ammonium nitrate commence
on November p, 1918. one day less thai
one year from the time the construc
ton work was initiated
The average daily force required il
the construction work was approx
iaatelY 1900 men. The maximum dali,
force was 1929. on August s, 1918.
The total number OF carloads OF ma
tcrial received was 30,957, an aNerag
of So per day. These cars coupled to
gethcr in one train would reach from
Sheffield to Knoxville Tenn.
There are IS permanent plant build
incs, including the power house, with
roof area Of 20 acres. These building
involved The use of approximately 10.
00N tons of structural steel, 262.o00 bar
rels of cement, 1o,o00.0oo brick, 1,50o,