The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-05-18
WAR PROJECT
IS DEFENDED
and KNOCKED
Nitrate Plans, Including Great
Muscle Shoals Plant, Sub
ject of Varying Report by
Committee.
IS BLACK AND WHITE
(Rv Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, May 1S.-Two re-
ports, one by Republicans condemning
the governments entire war time nj
trate program, and charging reckless
waste and extravaganza, and the 9th
er by Democrats, defending 1t and
charging partisan bias by the major
ity, were presented today to the house
by special committee which took up
the investigation nearly year ago.
Along with Al general condemna-
tions of the government policy, the
Republican majority, comprising
Chairman Graham, Illinois, and Rep
resentative Jeffers, Nebraska, submit
ted recommendations for the disposal
of the Muscle Shoals properties, which
Representative Garrett of Tennessee,
. the Democratic member, declared, was
beyond its province.
Mr. Garrett indicated that he would
make a point of order against the re-
port on the ground that members
said this would open the way for the
biggest political fight in the house
since the war investigating committee
was created
Lay Blame to President.
Republicans laid blame for the nj
trate program, entailing an eXpendi-
ture of about SIG, 100000 at the door
of President Wilson, with Bernard M.
Baruch as the moving spirit OF the
wartime project. although Represen-
tative Garrett, speaking for the mi
nority, declared that the president
acted on the suggestion of Secretary
Baker and that both could assume
the responsibility without thought OF
apology.
Charging the air-nitrates corpora
ton, builders of the Muscle Shoals
plant, with failure to perform its con
tract, the majority recommended to
congress that no further SONS be paid
it on account and that civil suits be
instituted for recovery and that the
whole question of pay be threshed
out in the court of claims. 1t was also
recommended that the government
pursue such remedies as mint be de-
cided by the attorney general.
After asking congress to sell mater
ials stored at the Toledo and Cincin-
natl plants and retain the Shefleld,
Alabama plant, the committee recon-
mended that the government lease the
villages built for officers at Sheffield,
at a cost of s12 100000.
Make Fertilizer Plant.
the majority related to the big Muscle
Shoals plant, costing $40 100000. Being
too valuable to scrap, the majority
=, recommended that it be leased and
converted into a fertilizer plant for
the sale of products direct to farmers
with the right of the government to
take 1t over in time of threatened war
Further expenditures at Muscles
Shoals were ODDOSed
In the two reports, embracing 10000
words, every detail Of the nitrate pro
gram was discussed. Declaring that
throughout the majority report there
run three ads of suggestions of sin
lister and unworthy motives" on the
rart of Frank S. Washburn, president
Of the building corporation. Mr.. Gar
rett contended that Mr.. Washburg and
his associates in appearing before the
committee. had all the bearings OF
gentlemen and good citizens"
Answering "veiled attacks" on Mr.
Garrett he played most important
and praiseworthy part"