The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1921-12-07
Ford Would Utilize
All Power From Dam

: Florence, Ala, Dec. G.-Thomas A.
I Edison is in complete agreement with
Henry Ford on the possibilities for
/ development of upward of 100000
electrical horsepower on the Tennes-
see River at Muscle Shoals This
much has resulted in their survey
Of the government property, it was
learned last night.
1t is also understood that the pres
ent inspection and resultant confer
ences between the Detroit manufac-
turer and West Orange inventor has
brought Mr. Edisons informal in
dorsement Of Mr.. Ford's estimate in
his proposal to lease the project.
Mr.. Ford today said he had not
"even thought about the matter" Of
when he will make formal report
to Secretary Weeks on his present trip
Of inspection. VI don't know whether
this report to Mr., Weeks will be in
person or by mall" he said, "and
don't know when / will make it,"
He gave the people of the commu-
nifty to understand, however, that he
would have his supplementary report
and final conclusions in the hands Of
the government official early in Jan
uary
The Ford party spent anything but
a quiet Sabbath Mr. Ford left his
private car in East Florence before
other members of the party arose and
took walk along the Tennessee
River He was back in time for
breakfast. The morning table bore
six quarts Of milk sent by "a farm
householder After breakfast the
party, including Mrs. Henry Ford,
Mrs. Edison and Mrs. Edsell Ford,
was driven to lock number six, nine
miles east of Florence, where the
shoals were inspected, up the stream
to lock number one, II miles from
Florence, at the site of the proosed
dam number three.
The trip from lock six to lock one
was made on a government train, the
eight-mile road running along the
banks of the river through a pictur-
esque country. If dam number three
is built, as proposed, and Wilson dam
completed, navigation would be ac-
compliShed over the 30-mile stretch
in which the river has a fall of 1870
feet This would open a channel Of
trade from Paducah, Ky, to Chatta-
nooga.
Mr.. Ford expressed the opinion that
there is room for dam on the river
wherever there is a fall of five feet
He would not build storage dams in
the project he visualized unless it be-
comes a reality, he said, but rather
would erect power plants which would
serve the double purpose of turning
turbines and impounding water of the
stream.
Amplifying his vision of Harvesting
the water of the river, Mr.. Ford said
he would himself utilize every source
Of power developed. 1--WE never yet
have got enough power for our bust
ness he declared. 81 wouldn't give
20 cents for the governments steam
plant here for my own use. I've got
two up in Detroit ] want to get rid
Of. / want water power to turn the
wheels Of my industries
The manufacturer asserted he was
also opposed 10 "long distance trans.
mission Of power" But above all
this~talk about steam and water and
nitrate he declared. Il am interested
in a greater matter of stopping war;
this is what ! want TO see done.
81 want changes made in our ma
tional financial system whereby such
projects as Muscle Shoals will finance
themselves"
He would keep government bonds
out Of the hands "of brokers and self.
ish interests" he said. He would
issue currency against all national
projects. he continued. and abolish the
gold standard.
This plan is radical he asserted.
"but what new proposal that ever
amounted to anything was not radi-
eal?"