The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-11
SHOALS STATUS TO
SEE No CHANGES
PENDING REPORT
Unless Ford Revises Offer 1t
viii Probably Go to Con-
gresS Without Recon-
mendation
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS
Washington Bureau, The Age-Herald.
500 Davidson Building.

500 Davidson Building.
Washington, December 10.--(Spe-
cial.)-Publicity that followed the
visit of Henry Ford and Thomas A.
Edison to Muscle Shoals has precipi-
tated unlimited discussion In Con-
sress. Alabamians, believing that the
development OF Muscle Shoals and the
operation of it's power by Ford would
result in the upspringing of a new
metropolis in north Alabama. are
more insistent than ever before that
the government accept the offer of
the Detroit manufacturer.
Other delegations from the south
are still favorable to the Ford offer.
The statement of the manufacturer
however, that he would use all avail
able Muscle Shoals power in his own
plants, has disappointed certain Ten
nesseeans, Georgians, South Carolin-
ians and North Carolinians These
congressman had impressed on their
constituencies that they would ben
eft directly in the way of cheap cleo
trio current whenever Muscle Shoals
was developed. An editorial printed
in the Memphis News Sclmitar de-
ploring the attitude of Ford in this
respect deeply impressed certain
members of the Tennessee delegat ton.
However, 1t is recognized by con-
gressmen as rule that were Muscle
Shoals developed, and all its benefits
were shared by all in its environ, the
greatest boon would not be electric
current. Rather would 1t be in the
form of fertilizer and reduction In
freight rates on raw material and fin
ished products which Ford has prom
ised to produce II his offer is ac-
cepted.
Enemies Have New Weapon
Mr.. Ford's suggestion that the gov
eminent issue flat money by means
OF which to develop Muscle Shoals,
such money to be retired as the de-
yelopment Melted profit, has given
his enemies another weapon with
which TO cudgel him. It is probably
true that there is not a member of
Congress other than a socialist and
one or two would-be socialists, who
would have the government issue pa
per against natural resources rather
than against an available supply OF
gold But those who are friendly to
the Ford offer declare that any such
statement made by Ford could not
affect his offer for Muscle Shoals. In
other words had no bearing on IL
Effort to draw out southern members
of Congress regarding Fods sueges-
ton OF fiat money failed completely.
None would talk or ii save in strict
est confidence.
There will be no developments In
the Muscle Shoals situation until Ford
makes another statement to the Sec
rotary of War. 1t is definitely UNI
derstood, however. that II Ford should
carry out his statement made in Ala
bama and decline to modify his bid.
Secretary Weeks would send the Ford
proposition to Congress without rec
ommendauon, which. II is feared by
Alabamians, would mean Its defeat
1t Is also understood that should
Weeks fail to make a recommends
ton. a bill would be introduced In
Congress by Muscle Shoals advocates
instructing the government to accept
the offer of Ford. Alabamians, espe-
cially. put great confidence in the
alleged successful driving power of
the American Farm Bureau fedora
ton, and the so-called agricultural
bloc operating in the two houses of
Congress.
Revised Offer Likely
The conservative idea is that
Fords offer even with the recon-
mendation of the Secretary, would en-
counter shoals. and that without such
recomm endation II could not survive.
II is generally believed, however. that
Ford will revise his offer in such
manner that Weeks would feel justi-
fled in sending II to Congress with
his approval.
That Mr.. Ford has talked too ex-
tensively and enthusiastically regard
ing the possibilities OF Muscle
Shoals and the opportunity it offers
70 confer transcendent boons on hu-
manity to abandon his plans because
of a difference in cost estimates. Is
the conservative idea In Washing
ton. The idea that he has talked for
effect, or for purposes of self-adver-
tisement. Is generally secuted.