Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-11-19
WILL REPORT ON FORD
OFFER TO CONGRESS
Detroit Manufacturer Confers
With Government Officials
at Capital.
SECRETARY WEEKS IS. ii
Proposni for Muscle ShoaIs Projects
Is ConsIdcrcd--Army Engineers
Differ with Ford on Cost or Com
siructiOn Work.
GBy Associated prces. ]


WASHINGTON, Nov. iS.-Prompt
action by the administrative branch
Of the government on the offer Of
Henry Ford with respect to the war
built nitrate and power projects at
Muscle Shoals. Ma. was indica ted
tonight after il preliminary confer
cncc between the Detroit mamufac-
tnrcr and government officials
Mr.. Ford. who was called to Wash
ington by Secretary Weeks to
furnish tirst-hand detailed Informal
ton as TO his offer. conferred for
abou, an hour with Secretary OF
Commerce Hoover and Major Gen
cral Lansing II. Beach. chief of army
engineers. Secretary Weeks was to
have met with the Detroit manu-
!acturer. but was prevented by an
attack of Indigestion which confined
him to his nome the entire day. In
Informing Secretary Hoover that no
would be unable to attend the con-
terence he asked that the discussions
today be of Il preliminary nature only.
Additional conferences are to be held
tomorrow. provided Mr.. Weeks can
be present
VIII Report to Congress.
The action OF the administrative
officers of government will be en-
bodied in report to Congress, which
must finally pass on any matter in
FoIHing turning over Of the plants
to private interests. Government Of
hciale after today's conference said
they saw no reason why the report
could not he made within a few
days. but gave no indication of the
nature of the prospective report.
l'rior to tho conference. however.
II was stated definitely that Mr..
Weeks had in his own mind reached
no decision ON the offer and would
keep his mind open until the con-
terenccs with Mr.. Ford were con-
cluded
Secretary Hoover. as we'll as MIR.
Ford and engineers. who sat with
him In the conference. declined to
comment on the subjects discussed
1T today's conference. 1t was be-
lieved by those in close touch with
the matter. however, that the cost OF
construction work on the Wilson
Dam figured largely in the discus
sions. Revised estimates by army
engineers place cost at between SAP
10000 and s55.000.000 with allow
ance for improvements in navigation.
MT. FOrd, IN MS original OUcr. cStl-
mated the cost at $4,000. 600. and II
was understood that he declined to-
day To change tho figure. The d!f-
ference between the estimates Is con-
sidcred the principal point in dis
putc.
Calls on President.
The report 10 be presented 10 Con-
rress. il was explained today. would
not necessarily contain recommend a :
tons either for the acceptance OF
Mr.. Ford's offer or for its rejection.
and might merely present the facts
allowing final decision To rest with
Congress. Although Secretary Hoover
is participating in the conferences
aud although Assistant Secretary
Huston. ~ tho Commerce Depart
mcnt. has studied the whole question
thoroughly. Secretary Weeks. It was
said, would present the report TO
Congress on account of the Muscle
Shoals projection being under the
Jurisdiction OF the War Department.
Mr.. Ford before going to Secretary
iIoovers office for the conference.
visited the White House and spent
some tim" with President Harding
lie said the call. however. was mere
Is to pay his respects, he and the
President having become we'll ac-
uuainted last summer when Mr..
Harding spent Il week end with the
Ford Edi son Firestone camping party
near IiaEerstowu. Md.