The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-01-21
ILLINOIS WILL
FAVOR MUSCLE
SHOALS SALES


NdGulnEbOn news bureau
Rock Island Argus.
Washington, ID. c., Jan. IL
Downstate congressman are likely
to be favorable to Henry AFord's
Muscle Shoals bid, it became known
q here today when Illinois members
discussed the reported decision of
Secretary OF War Meeks to refer
the entire matter TO congress.
Rumors which have become COM
mon in the capital to the effect that
partisanship will enter into the de-
bate in congress on the Ford bill,
and that animosities engendered by
the recent fight on Newberry in the
senate might block acceptance of
Ford's proposition, were given no
credence by Illinois congressman.
Two of the Illinoisans who evinc-
ed the most marked favor toward
the plan Of operating the enormous
nitrate plant, which has been un--
der discussion between Ford and
Secretary Weeks, were Representa-
tive Charles Z. Fuller, Belvidere,
and Representative Clifford Ire
land, Peoria.
Without committing myself in
advance, i am inclined TO favor Mr..
Ford's proposition" Mr. Fuller de-
clared here today II voted at the
last session against the govern
ment's putting further money into
the completion of the plant at Mus
Gle Shoals, and am therefore in
favor of disposing of the plant I'M
der proper conditions. My infor-
nation is that Ford lis willing TO
deal fairly with the government,
and I have no doubt that if he can
produce nitrate as he plans to do,
farmers in Illinois and elsewhere
win benefit in the use of the prod
net as fertilizer"
Representative Ireland said he
believed the Ford offer is mot I'M
fair to the government" and de-
clared himself strongly in favor of
private operation of the plant UNI
der conditions that will necessitate
no further expenditures from the
public treasury"
A majority of the Is Illinois con-
gressmen representing downstate
districts will give great weight to
the recommendations of Secretary
Weeks in respect to Ford's bid
81 have considerable confidence
in the business judgment of Secre-
tary Weeks, and while should not
follow him blindly, his recommend
alton will have considerable force
with me-" Representative William
A. Rodenberg, East st. Louis, stat
ed
IF he recommends acceptance of
the bid. | should be inclined to vote
favorably on the question. The re-
. port that craftsmanship will have
any place in the consideration of
Y the matter in the house or senate
is unfounded in my opinion
Representative Loren E. Wheeler,
Springfield, was cool in his refer
ence to the Ford plan of taking
over the plant. He said that in his
opinion the bid sshould be given
very careful scrutiny" and declin-
ed to state that he would be favor
able to acceptance, whether or not
it was recommended by Secretary
Weeks.
Representative William J. Ora
ham, Aledo, as chairman of the Sc
lect committee on expenditures in !
the war department, spent a week !
at Muscle Shoals last year and is |
probably as familiar with the pro-
ject as any other member of the |
house. He made a speech on the i
floor of the house at the last SEES
sion which was instrumental in the |
defeat of the provision, already |
adopted by the senate. appropria-
ting $10,000,00 toward completion
of the plant at government expense.
Il am not at all hostile to the |
Ford proposition" Graham said,
but l shall insist that it comply
with the following conditions:
First, that the government should
be called upon for no more direct
appropriations from the treasury:
second, that the government should
have the right to take over the !,
plant in time of war, and third, that
the government should have some 4
measure of control over the plant
after it has been turned over to
private operation, enabling It to
prevent overcharging on the fertil- {
izer produced" il
Representative Graham said that =,
the Investigations of his committee
established the fact that it will
cost about $60.000.0 900 to complete ,
the plant at Muscle Shoals. The !
government spent more than $780, :
100000 during the war on the pro- :
iect, he stated :
Illinois congressman are watch =
ing with close interest tsis week :
the conference in progress at Chi !
cago presided over by Senator Me-
I'LL Mccormick.
AS soon as the Newberry case .