Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-01-14
FORD PLANS CITY
Is MILES LONG

DETROIT, Jan. 12.-(By the Asso.
ciated Press.)-If Henry Ford OBJ
tains possession Of the Muscle
Shoals project in Alabama he will
take immediate steps to make that
part Of the south one Of the largest
industrial centers of the country, the
Associated Press learned today.
The Muscle Shoals plan of Mr..
Ford contemplates one of the great
est undertakings in the history of
industrial America, it became known
and includes development of the
property as model to be extended
eventually to many other parts of
the country.
Mr.. Ford's proposal includes the
building of city seventy-five miles
long in the Muscle Shoals region.
1t would be made up Of a number
of large towns or small cities. This
is in line with the manufacturer
view that men and their families
should live in small communities
where benefits Of rural or near-ru-
raj life would not be entirely lost.
100-Year Lease
His proposal to the. government
includes leasing of the property for
100 years. But before the expira-
ton of half that time he proposes
to turn the completed project over
to- the people of the district or to
the government in such a way that
no one in the future will be able to
make a personal profit from the
undertaking. He will arrange that
neither he nor any of his heirs may
realize any monetary benefit from
the Muscle Shoals plants or the DOW
er developed, it became known.
Mr.. Ford proposes to make the
project, If the government gives it's
consent, the outstanding achieve
ment Of his career.
The Muscle Shoals project is,
however, only the start of a great.
err program, it became known. This
includes the development of water
power, facilities in many parts of
the country by which persons in
those communities would derive
power to run manufacturing plants,
light their homes and run machin-
cry on the farms. One detail of the
plan is the Harvesting by farmers
Of every creek and brook that cross
es their property.
Mr.. Ford expects to leave here
about noon tomorrow for Washing
ton to confer with Secretary Weeks
regarding his proposal of leasing
the Alabama plant.
If the government accepts Mr..
Ford's bid, work at Muscle Shoals
will be started at once. The nitrate
and other plants would be run by
steam power, pending the time the
great dam, that will require about
two years to build, has harnessed
the water at this point. Then would
follow development, in the opinion
of Mr.. Ford, until within COM
paratively few years an industrial
center greater than Detroit, would
have been built up.
Government Revenue
Mr.. Ford believes the Muscle
Shoals plan, if consummated, will
be the start toward development of
the Mississippi river valley. The
manufacturer believes this valley
could run the United States" if the
water now going. to waste could be
utilized.
Eventually, in Mr.. Ford's opinion,
the government could derive enough
revenue from these power projects
to support itself, thereby revolution
ling the financial system of the
country.
Mr.. Ford has bent the greater
part of his energies during the last
weeks to whipping into shape his
plan to develop the Alabama dis
trict in the event he obtains the
lease from the government. He has
held large number Of conferences
on this matter and his program is
known to be ready.
HIS program includes definite
steps toward development of water
power in every part of the country.
The manufacturer does not believe it
practicable to carry power for long
distances and therefore has evolved
a plan to provide each district with
own project.