The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-03-30

most cautious observers who study
the Washington situation and are
thereby enabled to forecast it's results.
are mostly agreed that the soldiers
bonus bill will not be passed at this
session of congress-. The only thing
that can save the measure would be
the surrender of President Harding to
its support and this is not likely to
occur.
Tie committee II congress that has
been investigating y"o diff rent offers
for the purchase Of Muscle Shoals has
brought out many Interesting facts
that have not bean understood by the
II bic, OF course the committee was
disappointed by the failure of Henry
elucidate his offer for the great Mi
agra of the South Bur the Alabama
Power company, which is likewise a
bidder for the property. is not sc mod.
est and Thomas W. Martin, president
of the company, told the committee
that his company holds an option for
the exclusive right TO purchase the
Warrior Steam plant, contained in the
contract signed with the war depart
ment, by which power was supplied
by the plant during the war for oper-
alton Of nitrate plants at Muscle
Shoals. Mr.. Ford includes this prop
erty in his offer 10 the war department
despite the claim to it of the Alabama
company.
The feature Of the hearings brings
out the facts that the Alabama inter
ests that are seeking to purchase
Muscle Shoals have already W ' their
spurs in the south by creau and
carrying on large developments, and
that it would seem that they should
be given particular consideration on
account Of their accomplished
achievements. On the other hand Mr..
Ford is being pictured as a laterday
carpet Dagger" SO far as this parti.
cular proposition is concerned. But
Ford is Ford, and there are none like
him-hence the Ford enthusiasm in
connection with Muscle Shoals. 1t
may, nevertheless, be regarded as un-
fortunate for the public interests, that
the investigation before congress does
not disclose the particular merits
claimed for the Ford offer. 1t is said
that Mr.. Ford will make alterations
in his proposition. 1t is clear that the
government will not do business with
him unless these changes are far more
favorable than anything contained in
the earlier proposals.
A year ago there were $4,000 wire
less telephone receiving sets in the
country; today there are 100000 sets.
The only aso why there aren't
more Is because the supply has be-
come inadequate To the demand. Every
night these sets are used by their
owners and their guests TO participate
In lectures and c that are
thrown into the air" In New York,
Washington, Chicago, Detroit, San
Francisco and other cities. The de-
light Of one bug" when he finds a
sympathetic soul Is equal to the fra
ternity of Elks gathered at volstead
club-sideboards. Secretary of Com
merce Hoover has taken the initiative
in bringing the representatives Of
commercial radio and others into q
conference for the purpose Of develop
ing plans for control Of the ether.
which he says, is threatened with be-
ing filled with frantic chaos"
1t Is OF course very clear that IL the
owners OF the 100000 instruments
that have been put into operation,
were all to do "broadcasting'' at once
that the sound would have the noises
OF Babel faded. 1T is therefore pri.
marily a question Of b~roadcasting,'
says Mr.. Hoover. who adds that lit
becomes OF primary interest to say
who Is to do the broadcasting and
under what circumstances, and with
what type Of material. 1t is incon.
ceivable, for entertainment, for edu,
cation, and for vital commercial pur,
poses. to be drowned In advertising
chatter, or for commercial purposes
than can be quite well served by our
other means of communication"
While radio sprung into popula,
favor In q Few weeks. its wonders have
bscn utilized by commercial interests
Ter many years. The giant stations Of
shs world have been In communica
sleS with each other for many years
Hss now everyone II 10 have radio
sRa strange to say that Il costs the
tRatvaaasl less than : taking machins