The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-05-18
SAY WASTE AT
MUSCLE SHOALS
Republican Majority Report
Condemns Government War
time Nitrate Program.
DEMOCRATS IN DEFENSE


Washington, May Is.--Two reports
one by republicans condemnlng the gov
ernment's entire wartime nitrate pro-
gram and charging reckless waste and
extravaganza, and the other by demo-
crast defending. II and charging par
tisan bias by the maiority--were pre-
ser,ted today TO the house by a special
committee, which took up the invests
CATION nearly a year ago.
Along with Its forty-une condomna-
tions OF tho governments policy, the
man Graham. Illinois, and Representa-.
tive Jefferies, Nebraska. submitted rec
concentrations for future disposal OF the
Muscle Shoals properties, which Repre-.
sentative Garrett OF Tennessee, the
democratic member. declared was. be-
Gated that ho would make a point Of
order against the report on that ground.
Members said this would open tho way
for the biggest political nght In the
house sincestho war investigating CONS
mittee WAS created.
Biame Wilson and Baruch.
The republicans laid the blame for
the nitrate program, entailing an expen-
dlture of about Sli60OO ,0un. at the door
u President Wilson, with Bernard M.
pafuch as the moving spirit Of the great
Tive Garssla1 speaking fer the minority.
declared that the PRECEDENT acted on the
suggestion ~ Secretary Baker, and that
both could assume responsibility with-
out thought Of apology,
ton, builders OF the Muscle shoals
plant. with failure 10 perform It's con-
tract, the majority recommended 70
congress that no further sums be paid
Il on account, and that ciyil suits be
Instituted for recovery. and that the
in the court OF claims, II also was rec-
ommended that the government pursue
such remedies as might be decided By
the attorney general.
After asking congress TO sell mate
rails stored at tho Toledo and cincin-
Ala. plant, the committee recommended
that the government lease tho deserted
village, built for ofiicefn Mt sheffield
at cost OF si2,000,0oo.
urpes Fertilizer Plant.
sT'he principal recommendation by the
related 20 the big Muscle
shoals plant. costing S70.000,00o Be-
Ing too valuable TO scrap. the majority
that II be leased and con-
Verted into n fertilizer plant, for tho
sale OF products direct 20 farmers, with
Tho right OF the government TO take II
over In time OF threatened war Fur
her expenditures at Muscle Shoals were
opposed.
In the two reports, embracing $4,000
words, every detail OF the nitrate pro-
gram was dlacusscd Declaring that
throughout the majority report there
'un tho threads Of suggestions OF sin-
ster and unworthy motives" on the part
II Frank 8. Waahbnrn, president OF the
corporation, Mr. Garrett con-
,ended that Mr.. WaAhburn and his as
loolates. IN appearing before the COM
nssg and hIS sood "a eH Vl ss
'veiled attacks, on Mr.. Baruch, Mr.
Jarrett said; "He played n most im-
,ortant aud pralseworthy 2ert."
In the first of It's hndingb the major
~ charged that the nitrate program
10 nltratea were produced prior 70 the |
lrmlaticc, and that II contributed moth
ng townrdA the war.
Congress Ridiculous.
The minority report replied that VI |
he unaxpended end of hohtlllties. three
ourihs OF the nations Efforts we're
iselesh, three million more men thah
we're necessary were called 10 the
olors and congress made Itself "rldicu-
Gus" IN passing INC lRnt ateit ~.
aid Mr. Baruch, planned additonM
,ianta that would have cost S2uu 900. 900,
.he minority said tho cost was pro-
lematical, but that the administration
would have provided the nations nsses-
tiles "and soldiers on tho firing line
sould have had the absolute assurance
hat they were not being sent 70
hanbieE for hack Of ammunition "
here was necessity for nianutaeture o,
itrntes. the Majority said. neglect ann
4 lie midst of war was an apt tllu-
tratlon of the neglect Of the admins
rations' 10 put into effect laws tor
rejection and preparedness TniS
,ennt, according TO the minority, orln-
lam Of the president tof noI M Li,,s
~ were at peace. hastily empathihb
n a war supply program.
WHY Not Chilean Product,
There WAS no national necessity. the
ia jority found. for such vast buudlnk
rUeram. adding that Chhean hluaesIs
hould have been bought and stored
ho minority replied that the major.
y In one breath called n misdireeted
Mort and then IN tho next dacinfeo
there WAS no national necessity "
4 Answrrinr the maiority's charge that
,e danger oi German submarines cut
nE oft Chilean supply Was VISION
~. the mino1ty reported that tne
1hmarine mehnce was az Nlsu'.ns ~
h,ch Il was tho solemn duty OF the
evernncnt 10 regard.
Direet responsibility for location OF
40 two nitrate plants and the Wilson
am Al Muscle shoals was placed py
1e ma ajority upon President wilson.
he minority. in reply, quoted secretary
.stcr as teseifyine that the president
al acted on his mendationE, the
,inority report adding that the presl-
ont aud the. secretary may safely as
tne responsibility without apology"
Most Colossal Biunder.
The majority charged that any one
no oppossd the Muscle shoals plan
a. either dlsregarded or disciplined"
which the minority replied that this
ssertiou was gratutious and without
arrani Of fact" +.