Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-10
HOUSE BOARD
WANTS FORD
To GET PLANT
Majority Report Points
Weakness of Working
on Political Basis.
No Intimation Made as
to When Disposal of
Shoals Will Come Up.

Washington, June 9.-House leaders
declined Friday to give the member
ship any idea as to how soon the re-
ports dealing with Henry Ford's Of
fer for the Muscle Shoals property
might be taken up for consideration.
Representative Mondell, the republic
an leader, declared that no decision
could be reached until the various re-
ports had been submitted and studied.
Three separate reports setting forth
recomm endations for action by con-
gress with respect to private develop
ment of the government $106,O0O,OO0
power and nitrate projects at Muscle
Shoals, Ala, were made to the house
by members of the military committee.
Acting Chairman Mckenzie of Hi
nois. who drafted the majority report,
declares at the outset of that docu-
ment that the Ford proposal was the
only one found worthy of serious con-
sideration" and asks its acceptance by
the house. provided, however, that the
Gorgas steam plant be not included
among the projects to be sold.
Concurrence in the majority report
for the acceptance of the Gorgas plant
is voiced in one of the minority opin-
ions presented by Representative
Right, democrat, Georgia, and sup
ported by Representative James. re-
publican. Michigan, and the remaining
democratic members. They ask full
compliance, direct the house with all
provision of the Ford proposal, and
point out the belief that if congress
eliminates the Gorgas unit, it would de-
feat the Ford offer.
Seek Other Notifications
In a third report, submitted by Rep
r%esentative Parker, republican, New
Jersey, and signed by Representative
rockingham, republican, Massachu-
sets, the opinion is adverse to the ac-
ceptance 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 modifi-
cations proposed the signers would
dams and nitrate plants ION such terms
as win mean the completion of the
dams" and would authorize him to
"settle the fair value Of the Gorgas
plant and convey the same to the Ala
bama Power company"
The majority report says that up
to date the government has expended
on the Shoals undertaking something
over $106. 100000, approximately So
600, 900 of which was expended upon
the Gorgas steam plant and transmits
sion line"
Leave Decision to House
The task of making a final decision
is admitted in each of the reports to
be the duty of the full membership
Of the house.
In conclusion, the majority report
says:
Two courses are open, one gov
vernment and operation, which, in view
of the character of the project, would,
in the opinion of the majority of the
committee, mean disaster to the hopes
of the farmers and other users of
commercial fertilizers. To have the
government undertake and ngage in
ents, with political superintendent,
foremen and straw bosses, is unthink-
able. and to undertake such a scheme
would be unspeakable folly.
THE alternative course is to sell
the tangible property on conditions
prescribed BY congress, lease the power
at a fair rental, and permit individual
American initiative and ingenuity to
have an opportunity at this place
where the greatest water power in
our country can be developed, requir-
ing a preservation Of the element of
national defense. and at the same time
giving an opportunity for relief, if such
there can be, to not only the southland, |
but to our entire country in the way of |
commercial fertilizer at reasonable
prices"
cxcuANcE ExpEI G ga