The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-02-22

ALABAMA POW5z@@ COMPANY PROPOSAL
 SLIBMITTEEs<1 o CONGRESS BY WEEKS
Here Is Weeks Comment
 On Power Con1pany's Bid

lhe offer has the advantage that t brings the entire property repre- sented by the Wilson dam project under local taxation laws.
 e. The offer contains the fur ther provision. based on Section l6 of the federal waterpower act, for taking over and operating the water power project by the United States, whenever the safety of the United States demands, for the manufacture of nitrates, explosives. or munitions of war, or for any other purpose in- Voiving the safety of the United States This broad provision of the i act is of special importance to the l United States in view of the location Of the nitrate plants at this com munity.
 "s. It is proposed by the power company to develop this propect un- der the federal waterpower act. which limits the license to a 50-year term. There is reserved by Section 14 of the act, the right to recapture by the government at the end of that period and if not so taken over by the gov ernment then the state and muni- cipalities have preference over others. In this important respect, the offer conforms to our national policy.
 "9. The company agrees to begin construction promptly and complete the same within a reasonable time. The construction must be begun and completed within the time prescribed in the license. If not begun, the d- cense may be terminated upon order of the water power commission. and if not completed. there is ample pro- vision for protecting the rights of the government in the situation. In ad- dition. however, it is in the province of the federal power commission To require such assurances and guar antees as may be necessary as to the financial ability of the licensee to complete it's undertaking.
 "1O. The Alabama Power company is public utility. By the terms of the federal waterpower act, its rates. service and security issues are reg ulated by local authority and if none exists. by the federal power commits sion. These regulatory laws all pro vide for service to every one without discrimination
 "11.. The acting judge advocate general has expressed the opinion that the option claimed by the air nitrates corporation under it's con tract is not lawful option If valid, it Is an option on the plant as an entirety It is believed that noth- ing in the option prevents substitu- tions in parts of the plant believed by the government to be desirable. This offer substitutes power in amount sufficient for the efficient oneratiop of the plant fof a plant to produce this power and no injury Is done to the nitrate plant as a whole. More over, the air nitrates corporation op- ton arises only in case the United States determines to dispose of the plant as an entirety. Accordingly even if the option is valid, it would seem not to interfere with the ac- ceptance of this offer
 "12. This offer makes no pro- vision for dam No g. To provide for the local requirements is probably 10 necessity for the construction of this dam at this time, but in case tho local demand and the requirements of navigation develop there would be no difficulty in providing for the financing of dam No. :, on reasonably fair terms.