The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-06-09
HOUSE GETS
REPORTS OF
FORD OFFER
Majority Recommends Ac.
ceptance of Shoals
Bid.

Washington, June 9.-Three sep
arate reports setting forth recon-
mendations for action by congress
with respect to private develop
ment of the governments $106, ,0O0,-
900 power and nitrate project at
Muscle Shoals, Ala, were made 10
the house today by members Of the
military committee.
The task of making a final de-
cision is admitted in each of the
reports to be the duty of the full
membership of the house at an
early date, but recommendation to
that end. submitted after four
months of continuous considera-
ton by the committee, differ in i'm
portant respects as they are pre-
&nted in the documents.
Acting Chairman Mckenzie OF
Illinois, who drafted the majority
report, declares that at the outset
the Ford proposal was the
only one found worthy of serious
consideration and asks its accept
ance by the house. provided, how
ever, that the Gorgas steam plant
is not included among the projects
to be disposed of at Muscle Shoals.
Oppose Gorgas Elimination.
Concurrence in the majority re-
port, except for the refernce made
with respect to the Gorgas plant,
is voiced in one of the minority
opinions presented by Representa-
tive Wright, Democrat, of Georgia,
and supported by Representative
James, Republican, Michigan, and
the remaining Democratic mem
bers. They ask full compliance by
the house with all provisions OF
the Ford proposal, including the
Gorgas property, and point out the
belief that if congress eliminates
the Gorgas unit it would defeat the
Ford offer.
In the third report, submitted by
Representative Parker, Republican,
New Jersey, and signed by Repre-
sentative rockingham, Republican,
Massachusetts, the opinion is ad-
verse to the acceptance of Mr..
Ford's offer unless it is modified in
other sections than that dealing
with Gorgas. In the event Mr.
Ford declined to agree to the modi-
fications proposed, the signers
would have the secretary of war
lease the dams and nitrate plants
ION such terms as will secure the
completion of the dams" and would
authorize him "to settle the fair
value of the Gorgas plant and con-
vey the same to the Alabama Pow
er company"
Up to Congress.
After the presentation OF docu-
ments supplied the committee dur
| ing its deliberations by Secretary
Weeks and other war department
officers, Mr.. Mckenzie, in the ma
jority report says:
"A glance at the figures set fortl
will disclose the fact that up tc
date the government has expended
upon this colossal undertaking
something over s106, 100000, ap.
proximately s5,000,o 900 of which was
expended upon the Gorgas steam
plant and transmission line"
! He then asked what congress car
do to solve the problem, develop
the project for the national gooc
and stop the tremendous losses II
/ the government caused by the idle
ness and the deterioration of the
properties, adding that the course:
open to congress are:
| Courses Open
81. Authorize the necessary ap
preparations for the completion O
( the dam or dams; other facilitie!
necessary to enable the operation
Of the plants in accordance witt
section 124, of the national defens'
act, meaning government owner
ship and operation
20. Authorize the necessary ap
preparations to complete the pro
ject, retaining the title and amend
| ing the law in such manner as Il
Continued on Page Sixteen.)