The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-01-23
new TURN AT
MUSCLE SHOALS
No Need to Parade Cost and
Construction Skeletons,
Say PrOberS.

Florence, Ala, Jan. GA. P)--
SO many witnesses were waiting to
be heard that the house war expendi-
lures committee, investigating the
Muscle Shoals nitrate plant, decided
today to end its sessions and have
those unable to go on the stand tell
in affidavits what they know about
waste, extravaganza and labor slack
ing.
Enough evidence on this phase Of
the inquiry has been taken to con-
vince the committee members said,
that it never would do to build a
war plant according to that system
again. The immediate problem re-
lates to disposition of government
properties, costing upwards of $780,
100000, and now idle.
The committee has discussed this
informally, but Chairman Graham
said today he was not ready to offer
suggestions. Members feel that as
nothing substantial is to be gained
by parading the cost and construc-
ton skeletons, they might serve a
more useful purpose by trying to ad-
wise congress what to do with the
plants.
AS to waste and extravaganza in
building, Representative Finis Gar
rett, democrat, Tennessee, ended a
long discussion by witnesses of that
subject yesterday with the reminder
mat everybody knew it. but that no.
BODY attempted to deny or con-
done It.
Don't Stop Work-Policy.
Don't stop the work, no matter
how crude" was the government pol
icy In building the $70.000,00O nitrate
plant Mt Muscle Shoals, }, X. Mac
kenzie, formerly a government in
spector testified today before the
house war expenditures committee.
Mackenzie characterized the army
or civilian wOrkers often running as
high as 25,0O0. as "the greatest
bunch of loafers on earth" Because
OF his inability to get construction
work done properly the witness said
he told officers in charge that he felt !
the government was throwing money !
away in keeping him on the job.
They were bringing in droves OF |
skilled workmen when work wasn't |
ready for them" Mackenzie said ut |
was awful. l went to Capt. Coles and |
protested. ! told him it was n crime |
and he said for me not to get pceved, |
nat the government wanted speed. |
hang the cost. It didn't matter how |
.he work was, it stood"
Bad management on the part Of |
and foremen was
-esponsible for delay and general |
conditions, according to Mackenzie, |
who declared the commanding off,
'er could have put the camp on a
business basis. with proper organig
'ation the plant could have bAtn
quilt in shorter time and AZ much
css cost, he said
+. II. Hardwick, of Sheffield, IN |
'harge Of one Of the Muscle Shoals
ness halls during the boom days.
blamed the government for YAK con
litions, and declared with utmost
rankness that he quit his job there
'ocause he knew the way things
we're running there was bound TO be
IN investigation by congress"
Men became loafers because there
VAS nothing to stop them, Hard
wick said. Describing the general
To lay off. he told the com
nlttee Of having seen eleven steam
.tors. who were supposed 20 be at
work, shooting dice from 10 o'clock
n the morning untn 3 in the after
oon, just as If they were playing at
picnic.
Regardless Of loafng. however.
iardwick said he believed the Mus
De- Shoals job was completed in
apid time
Testimony Of witnesses. not heard
~ the committee before il left here
his afternoon for Nashville. will be
aiken IN affidavit form and sent to