The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-09-24

Elections will have been held. Men- bers will have opportunity of con- siderins this most important matter without prejudice or bias. The st- mosphere will have been cleared of threats and caJoiing. The republican majority will no longer have a scin- tilla of excuse for further. delay.
 It is anticipated, however, that Muscle Shoals, after the elections, will not be as popular as 1t Is to- day. There Is very strong element In Congress, which, during the past session remained silent. which ac- tually favors scrapping the mag nificent plants so capable of benefit ing the entire country. This element is anti-southern, and Is a minority element.
 The Three Plans
 There arc three plans before Con gross. The one is that of Henry Ford, the manufacturer of Detroit. He offers to buy the nitrate plants, Waco quarry. and the Gorgas steam plant, claimed by the Alabama Power company. and the waterpower to he developed after the construction by the government of two dams. for @OiVuU,uuo itHQ A Eoht~t hpphOAAHiaeiHS 4 per cent on the cost of construct ihg the dams.
 This offer has the support of prac- tically all members of, Congress who hail from southern states. It is sup ported by certain farm organizations W hich maintain Headquarters In Washington. It is sustained by an able and ever alert propaganda, At the same time, IL has Its opponents. many of whom are very powerful Tn Congress and in the cabinet
 The second plan Is government ownership proposition advocated by Senator Norris of Nebraska, chairman of the Senate committee on agricul- ture. Under this plan. the govern ment would complete the two dams and lease them, together with the nitrate plants. The third plan Is sponsored by Representative Hull of Iowa, member of the House commit tee on military affairs. Under this scheme. the government would dis solve its partnership with the Ala bama Power company by selling Cor gas to that company for s3,000,oo0; would complete the two dams, and lease tho power to be generated; and would lease at $1 per annum the two nitrate plants with the understand 1nR that they NtI6 bo pG aHSu HI hO manufacture of fertilizer to be re- tailed at a profit not exceeding 8 per cent.
 Surprise For You
 The adjournment of the last ses- sicn without action on the Ford offer came as great surprise to the strategists in the employ of MT. Ford. Inasmuch as the farmers through their representatives in Washington insisted on tho Ford offer. they did not think that southern and west ern members would'lehve Washington to participate in elections before act- ing in accordance with the wishes of the farEiers,
 Some time ago. they were so sure of their ground---these strategists in the service of Ford--that they r.- fuse to accept. for immediate use, an appropriation of s7,500,0 900 for the completion of Wilson dam. They secured the postponement of the ex- penditure of that sum of money be- cause of their earnest belief that before October they could force ac- tion of the Ford offer. itself
 In the extra session. the agents Of Ford and the members who advo- cate the Ford offer in the House VII doubtless pursue another course. Heretofore, they have been intolerant of any, criticism. and have hurt their cauae. Where formerly they have de- nanded in the name of Ford. in Ire future they will request constdera- ton of their proposal in the name of the American people. The Fo-d proposition, 1t is predicted. will De stronger tomorrow than 1t is today.
 Changes Necessary
 It is reasonably certain that the Ford offer. as 1t Is written. however will never be enacted into law. It re- ouires the government to vitiate a contract into which. 1t entered with the Alabama Power company respect ing, Gorgas, and to, do N so on the ground of a technicality The govern ment has never ,yittated a's contract, it is said by informed members or Congress. Furthermore, the Ford of- fer requires the government to lease its water power for period Of 100 years. whereas the law limits such lease periods to 50 years. There IS strong opposition in Congress to the demand that an exception De made in favor of Mir. Ford. 4e These are unpleasant facts to those most interested In the Ford offer Hereafter. however, 1t is indicated everybody will look facts in the face and avoid the previous error of at- tempting to make 1t appear that there is no opposition and could be no opposition.
 Dangerous Element
 The danger involved in the opposi ton based on the foregoing points is that Ford .has stated officially and unequivocaliy. that unless his offerris accepted as 1t stands tbday. he will withdraw. rather thanS amend. his offer. sNSig "
 Should byivirtue of any cause Ford be eliminated, where would southern CTS who see wonderful possibilities for the south in Muscle Shoals, turn? It Is not believed that there is a sin gle member of Congress who would declare a conviction that unless Ford Is given Muscle Shoals,s it should be abandoned. Contention to this effect was made in other days. It is how ever, no longer beard.
 It Is said that Ford will not amend his offer until he Is convinced that without amendment 1t cannot prevail. and will not then amend unless he ia assured that by amendment 1t will prevail. This report. together with the indicated change In the strategy of Ford's men. leads to the belief that In November Fords offer will bs stronger than ever before.
 Hull's Statement
 A statement regarding his plan for the development of Muscle Shoals. prepared by MT. Hull for The Age Herald. follows:
 My resolution Is not intended to decide, in any manner who is to be allowed to purchase. lease or operate the various properties ofsthe govern ment at Muscle Shoals. It is designed, however. tc find solution for the yexed problems that confront the government at those nitrate and power plants and projects. If the