Evening journal., 1921-08-10
SQUARE Deal IN
WAR PLANT SALE
Secretary Weeks Denies He
is Opposed to Ford's
Offer
NO OBJECTION FROM
INTERESTS" TO HIM
BY A. L. BRADFORD. United Press
Stan Correspondent.


Stan Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1O-Henry
Ford will get a square deal from the
government in the negotiations for
the Muscle Shoals, Ala, nitrate
plant Secretary Of War Weeks de-
clared today in denying rumors that
he personally is opposed to seeing
the automobile manufacturer secure
the property.
There is not a word in IT," Secre-
tary Weeks said in an interview with
the United Press. Il am going to
do the best thing for the govern
ment"
Secretary Weeks denied knowledge
Of the reports that powerful inter-
ests were at work in Washington in
an effort to sidetrack Ford's pur-
chase OF the plant The reports also
intimated that pressure was being
brought to bear by these interests
on government officials to delay ac-
tion Of Ford's offer until offers from
other sources can be made.
Opposed to Ford are steel. fertil-
izer, alumium, roofing and other in
terests, It was said. They are said TO
object to his taking over the pro-
ject for fear he will cut into a profit
able fertilizer and aluminium busi-
ness and because OF his stand for dis
armament and his attitude toward
the financial interests.
Acceptance Of the Ford offer al
ready has been recommended tc
Secretary Weeks by the chief OF the
army engineers.
The United Press today asked
Secretary Weeks for the facts.
Il have not had a single letter OF
a single interview" said Mr.. Weeks
"objecting to the Ford offer. because
Il was made by Ford.
Il stated positively four monthi
ago, that as soon as an offer to take
over the Muscle Shoals project
which was satisfactory was made tS
me. then I would consider makinl
a recommendation to Congress foi
the necessary appropriations to pu
the project in shape"
Weeks then pointed 0ts tnnt thu
whole question is finally up 70 Con
gress TO do as it thinks best and tha
he is simply to make recommenda
tions.
Il have been told" he continued
by a representative OF a respons
fble concern that his company want
TO make an offer for Muscle Shoal
and / am going to wait until I Sc
him and learn whether this offer
10 be made and what II is before
take any action on the Ford pro
posal Someone. thc other COS. 90 %
me a clipping from a southern news
paper which intimated that the gov
ernment was trying 10 block tn
Ford offer and that 1 was respons
ible.
There is not a word Of truth /
It. a good many people may dam
Mr. Ford. but am not going
allow that to enter into by bushes
dealings. 1 am going 10 do the be'
thing for the government"
An apparent inconsistency devel
oped between the offices Of Secre
tary Weeks and Major-Geners
Lansing II. Beach, chief of army en-
gineers. At the Office OF the latte
it is declared that General Beac
0EnnlItlN INAOiAAlANAAANA AA a ANFR'
TO Weeks the acceptance OF IN
Ford offer. but at Secretary Week
office It is said General Beach sin
ply compared the Ford offer favor
ably with an offer made some tim
ago by the Alabama Power Con
pany.
When II was decided 20 tur
Muscle Shoals over TO private bus
ness II a satisfactory offer could
obtained. General Beach sent II
quiries. he said, TO every industri'
concern in the country who !
thought might be interested, in a
effort to get proposals.
The Ford offer was the only Dor
fde result. although there were SCI
eral crank offers and Gener
Beach does not see where anoth'
offer is coming from.