The Washington herald., 1921-01-15
Muscle Shoals Project
Approved After Bit
ter Debate. ~
SMOOT ATTACKS TT
AS UTILITIES GRAB
Heflin for Defense Says
1t Will Help South,
Farmers and U. S.

crowned one of the bitterest parti-
san fights the Senate has witnessed
this session, when the measure
passed late yesterday afternoon by
vote of 81 to %.
1t creates a Federal corporation.
capitalized at s12,5O0.0Oo, to develop
the plant at Muscle Shoals, Ala, and
contemplates $4,000, 900 expendi-
lures on the largest water power
system in the world.
The fight began in the Senate two
weeks ago, following defeat of the
same proposition as an amendment
to the sundry civil bill in the House
by a close margin. Senators Stan
ley, Underwood. Hefin. Smith, OF
Carolina; Beckham and other Demo-
Gratis were arrayed against Sena-
tors Smoot, Wadsworth, Poindexter
and other Republicans. Gronna and
LafoIlette were among Republicans
helping the Democrats.
Block Attempt to Refer.
In the final hour when the vote
was asked. Senator PoindeXter at
tempted to have it committed to the
Military Affairs Committee as a
measure coming under the national
defense act, but was defeated by a
close partisan vote. A similar at
tempt of Senator Townsend, of Mich
igan, to have it. recommitted to the
Agricultural Committee for clarifi-
cation was likewise defeated.
The issue was this: Should the
government spend a large sum of
money to put into commission the
nitrate plant. built during the war
at a cost of $50, ,00O, 900, for the pro-
duction of fertilizer substances dur
ing peace and explosive materials
In war-tine, thus erhancing the ma
tion's preparedness, giving the
South vast industry and curbing
the so-cslledo fertilizer trust in be-
half of the farniers-or should the
plant be junked as a loss because
there is no pressing need of such
products as it would produce, no
direct benefit to farmers, no good
in government engaging in such an
enterprise except to help public util-
tiles that want the power plant, and
because the expenditures might be
adding to the losses already in
CURED.
smoot Leads Attack.
Speeches for and against the mea-
sure have occupied hundreds of
thousands of words in the Congress
sional Record and there have been
charges of lobbying and Interior
motives. Senator Smoot declared
yesterday it was water power
proposition pure and simple, that
would not help the farmers at all,
and that was designed to help six
o. seven southern States.
Does the Senator object to help
ing these States-these American
people?" asked Senator Hehin.
Yes, at the governments ex-
pense," replied the Senator from
Utah.
Does the Senator know that the
government helped the Western
farmers with irrigation develop
ment in exactly the same way and
without Southern opposftion?' was
the retort.
Yes. and the farmers paid for
every cent of benefit"
so will the Southern farmers.
They will buy the fertilizer"
Says II Helps UtiHties.
Jaw, fertilizer. This plant is not
for fertilizer" said Smoot. at is
for the development of power init
interest of utilities"
The utilities will buy the DOW
err" answered Heflin. 1T is a.
money making business proposition
for the government, but in which
the government saves the millions
invested, helps the people
of the South to obtain an industry.
helps the farmers all over the
country and keeps us prepared for
the manufacture of war materials"
The opposition was successful in
putting through an amendment
transferring the nitrate plants to the
jurisdiction OF the Secretary of rrfe
Treasury instead of the Secretary
of War. ''
Before the Muscle Shoals plant
can be operated a dam must be built
in the Tennessee River to supply
the necessary water power, and
most of the money derived from the
sale of stock in the corporation au-
thorized by the Senate will be used
for this purpose IL the measure
passes the House and becomes law.
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