The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-09-21
NEW SHOALS PLAN
IS SUBMITTED BY
CONGRESSMAN
Would Lease Nitrate Plants at
ST Per Year For Manufac-
faCture of Fertilizer
ComponentS
Nv Associated Press

oiution authorizing the Secretary of
a period not exceeding fifty years.
Nitrate Plants Number 1 and Q, and
Waco Quarry near Muscle Shoals,
Ala, at one dollar year each, on
present capacity for production of
fertilizer components for sale to the
public at a price not to exceed eight
per cent profit, was introduced in
the House today by Representative
Hull. republican, Iowa.
The resolution also provides that
the plans, which may be leased
either completely or separately, 'are
to be kept in condition to produce
nitrates and other components of
munitions. such plants with their
personnel to be turned over to the
United States in case of national
emergency.
sale by the Secretary of War to
the Alabama Power company OF the
governments owned steam plant ~
Gorgas, Ala, together with the
transmission lire to Sheffield with
sub stations at price not less than
three million dollars also would De
authorized. Failing to sell the Cor
gas properties at an adequate price.
the Secretary would be authorised
TO Negotiate with the Alabama POW
I er company for the purchase OF sites,
and right OF way on which the PLANK
ard sub-stations are located with
such other property, by condemna-
ton or otherwise. as might DO
deemed necessary. He wouid DO
given authority to contract TOT com.
pIetfon of Dams Number anu .
in the Tennessee river and 10 lease
INV, for so years at n rental not
less than four per cent of the cost
Of finishing Dam Number 2, ana OF
constructing Dam Number ).
Doesn't Decide Purchase
Representative Hull issued the ioi-
lowing statement on his resoiut'on'
INV resolution Is not intended TO
a.rii9a In any manner whatever. VINO
10 10 be allowed to purchase, iease,
~ onerate tho various properties OF
the government at Muscle snoais,
Ala. a. Nna
at Is designed. however, TO I,ne
a solution TO the various propleins go
nitrate and power plants and PROF.
acts II the Alabama Power company
Mr. Ford, or any other person OF or
ranization wants to make q cohtrac.
along the lines of the resolulon anu
0nerate dams numbers and =, ana
nitrate plants numbers i ana o. tners
is nothing in the resolution ina.
would prevent making a cohtASt Aof
the entire properties.
s,rhs resolution is general legis.
lation permitting the solving OF the
nroblems. 1t has been found very
difficult, il not impossible, for
large committee of the House, sucn
as the military affairs committee
consisting OF 81 members, to nesotl-
ate a solution OF the problems. II
would be still moro difficult Tor the
whole membership Of the House 10
completes such negotiation. The
resolution, therefore, empowers the
Secretary of War to make the best
bargain for the government that II
is possible to make, either collectively
or by units, which ever he is satis-
fled is the best for the government.
Clear Difficulty
seWhile ii is true that voted for
The majority report that came out of
the House military affairs committee
which reported the so-called Nc
Kenzie bill, I realize that at the end
: Mr.. Ford might not accept the pro-
visions of the Mckenzie bill even II
the House did pass the bill in its
present form, TO say nothing OF the
fac. that 1t might be materially
amended when 1t came up for con-
sideration, making Mr.. Fords ac-
ceptance still further matter of
doubt. My resolution is designed to
clear UP that difficulty. This reso-
luton, in fact. would afford Henry
Ford, or anyone else. better oppor-
tunity to operate the nitrate plants
for the benefit of the people of the
country than Henry Ford's own Of
fer. with the exception of Mr.. Ford 5
claims that he must have 100-year
lease, because any resolution limits
the tenure of the proposed lease to
anyone to so years. which 1 think
will be approved by the people of
the country.
Also. and not the least important.
Mr.. Ford insists that he ought to
have the government steam plant at
Gorgas, So miles away from Muscle
Shoals. but under my resolution the
Gorgas Plant will be returned to the
Alabama Power company, the people
who in all fairness are entitled to
the property. provided they will pay
a fair minded price, which the resolu-
ton sets as 100000. 1 shall press
the passage of my resolution as soon
az Congress reconvenes and have al
ready received some assurances of
support"
QUESTION BROUGHT
UP BY HUDDLESTON
Washington, September 20.-The
disposition of Muscle Shoals was pre-
cipitated into debate on the floor of
the House today by Representative
Huddleston. democrat, Alabama. vino
charged the republican majority in
Congress with having tossed" the
Henry Ford offer back and forth,
and the administration with being
Gin close harmony" with the purpose
ITO put the offer to sleep forever"
Representative Huddleston insisted
the House had abundant opportunity
to consider the offer and pass upon
1t, but that a vote on it had been
denied by the republican leaders. The
aluminium, powder and fertilizer
trusts and "the great financial in
terests Of Wayy streets" he asserted
do not want tho Ford offer accepted.
and had. he added. succeeding in pre-
vomiting action upon 1t.
HENRY FORD ADVOCATES