The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-04-04
Indications Point To Early
 Operation Nitrate Projects
By H. FoNTAINE LITTLE


 Sheffield, April -(SpeciaL) )-Ex- pectation based on well-founded cir cumstances obtains here that construc- tion work and operation will soon be
 naugurated at the United States Nitro gen Fixation plants here. Government tai action is imminent. thus indicating that the status of the plans will not longer be allowed to remain impasse.
 New hope has been inspired by the
 recent action of Secretary of War Ba- ker. who has evolved a plan for financ- ing the deal pertaining to operation ot
 these industries. and which obviates the necessity of government appro- rpiation of $12,000,000 Seemingly. this appropriation has been the sticking point" in the proposed legislationfi and
 probably has been the principal factor in holding mataters in abeyance. But the Secretary's proposal has brought about a new turn in the case By law the war department is required to keep a reserve stock of 100000 tons
 of nitrates. Those now owned are the Chilean product. Admittedly, they are immensely valuable. The point has been made before the Senate agricul- turdl committees Dy Ottftb6iy IodhCt that with the Muscle Shoals cyanamide plants owned and operated by the gov ernment it would be safe to reduce the reserve stock of nitrates by one-half The other half could be sold for enough to pay the cost of new construction necessary, and operation of the Muscle Shoals properties.
 It is reported that several members of the committee who heretofore have been opposing the Legislation, follow ing a hear on Secretary Bakers pro- posa1 immediately agreed to the reason ableness of the plan. It is now under consideration and on April final hearing, it is expected, will be held in Washington.
 There are impelling reasons why these great plants need to be oper- ated. There are none why they should not be. Operation would prevent eco homie waste involved in construction. It would give the farmer a dependable supply of nitrates at not much more than half of their present cost In sum, it may be long time before there will be a need for great quanti- ties of nitrates for the manufacture of powder, but the country experiences perennial demand for fertilizers. Governmental decision is therefore being awaited by the entire country with more than passing interest BUILDS BOTTLING PLANT Sheffield, April Especial )--The Grapico Bottling Company. of which Glover McGregor is the proprietor. is establishing big bottling plant in this city, in the McGregor building. on east Second street. Nearly all of the equip ment has been installed. and the plant will be ready for business early this month
 MT. McGregor has recently come here from Birmingham, although he formerly was a resident here. from 1888 to 1901 during which time his father. A. " Mc- Gregor, was a we'll known business ] McGregor has great faith in the future of Sheffield He has been given cor dial welcome here.
 PROF. A. T. SHAW DIES I Sheffield. April 3.-(SpeciaL) )-Fu- lneral services over the remains of Prof A. T. Shaw, who died at the home oi his daughter. Mrs. J. w. Sawyer in Tus- lcumbia early Friday morning. after a ! lingering illness, were held today, the services being conducted by Revs. S. T. Slaton and w. F. Trump of Tuscumbia. | interment being in Oakwood cemetery. Tuscumbia-
 | Professor Shaw was 73 years of age | and was a man of rare musical attain | ment, because of which he enjoyed a widespread acquaintance over north JAlabamz-
 Resfdee t>n wfdow ha is aurwfveA n.~