Evening star., 1920-05-18
HOT FIGHT IN HOUSE
IS FORECAST OVER
NITRATE REPORTS
CONTINUED from First Pase.)

the nation was in the midst of war
was an apt illustration Of the neglect
of the administra tion" to put into ef-
feet laws for protection and prepared
ness. This meant. according to the
minority, criticism of the President
tily embarking on a war supply pro-
gram"
There was no national necessity. the
majority found, for such q vast build
ing program. adding that Chilean nia
trates SHOULD hav nsbpught aid
stored: The .minotft$ fepAsd thst ~
directed effort and then, In. the anexS
sss1asea s;sa at I'll as Sf u ias s,eas eees
Minority Mn No ;s & j e. saisHs.e iH 81 AsMs..ee|
Answering the1. naA3artty's chasAd
that the excuse Of danger Of .GeEa
submarines cutting. Off the Chilean
supply was visionary" the minority
reported that thessubmarine menace
was an element which 1t was the SOL
emn duty of the government, to re-
gard. :
Direct responsibility for location of
the two nitrate plants and the Wilson
dam At Muscle Shoals was pl2cedr by
the majority upon President, Wilson.
The minority. in reply. .Qteted secEH.
tary Baker as testifyinE th4t the
dations. the minority report adding
that the President and the Secretary
may safely assume responsibility
without apology"
The majority charged that any pne
who opposed the Muscle Shoals plans
plined." to which the minority re-
piled that this assertion was gratu-
itous and without warrant of fact"
The Shehield plant. with homes and
clubs for oficers. costing $4,000
was characterized by the majority as
- collosal blunder and waste of pub
lie funds The. minority held the
plant was An experiment and neces-
sary, but agreed that too much was
spent for homes.
tion by the majority as to Sinister
influences operating upon those who
laid out the Alabama plants was
wholly unvar1anted and evidently for
the purpose OF creating suspicion"
sees Cause fer @SeveFe Censure.o
Ordnance officers. the majority
charged, failed in most instances to
the hs ts5ssts eossaet Of Of see unsa
Joyes. head Of the nitrates division. In
approving contracts with the Air Re.
duction Company for nitrogen col.
ment Of nearly :$sso.ooQ." the, majority
censure." The minority ''repudiated
emphatically" this assertion as to Col.
Joyes, declaring he acted upon prin.
ciples Of the highest INTEGRITY
The majority; held that Toledo and
Cincinnati plant locations were un-
suitable. saying it was evident that
criticism OF the Alabama locations
"by Ohio representatives in Congress
was the inducing cause Of the To-
cations Of plants in Ohio. in an unsuc-
such hostile .criticism." The minority
"sectionalism.'
Cost.Plus Program Csnaennea.
The cost-plus system was con.
demned by the majority. The minor
ity said it was the only practicable
way Of getting speed and action.
Excessive waste flabor and ma.
terial, Amounting under ordinary
to criminality." was
charged by the majority. Admitting
waste, the minority replied there was
a tremendous labor turnover, with
all sorts of employees, thrifty and
shiftless. but declared 1t was not vii.
full waste.
The majority discussed future dis
position Of the properties and re-
ported adversely upon q plan. as set
forth in q bill now pending in Con-
gress, for government operation Of
Muscle Shoals as. q, fertiliser factory
The minority charged that this, was
an enceoachment upon the jurisdic-
ton Of another committee, and hencA
rAfu6ed to make fndinRo.