Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-03-07
MUSCLE SHOALS
JUNKET, HOUSE
.PR0BERS PLAN
Hearings on Offers for
Power Projects Will
Close in Two Days.
Los Angeles Engineer
Attacks Every Bid as
of "Handout" Brand.

Washington. March 6.--Investigation
by the house military committee of the
various offers from private interests
for purchase, lease, completion and
operation of the governments power
and nitrate projects at Muscle Shoals.
Ala, moved rapidly nearer conclusion
Monday and approached within two
days of the end of open hearings ON
the subject. committee members said.
A conference by Chairman Kahn
with Speaker Gillett. resulting in the
announcement that resolution author
izing the committee members to visit
Muscle Shoals and vicinity would be
introduced in the house soon, was one
of the outstanding developments. Other
events included the completion of testi-
mony on the third and last offer be-
fore the committee, that submitted by
Frederick e.. Engstrum, Of Whining
ton. n. c., which provides for so
year lease of the properties and their
completion under supervision of an op-
Grating company to be created. subject
to government approval
Receive Another Offer
The committee also received infor
mally copies of new proposal which
was submitted Monday at the war de-
partment by Thomas Hampton, gen
eral contractor of Washington, d. C..
The offer followed closely the original
offer Of Mr.. Engstrum, allowing for
completion and operation of the power
projects including the manufacture of
nitrates and fertilizers in the event the
government decided to finance the de-
velopment by reimbursing the operat
ing company which would be created
by Mr.. Hampton. Secretary Weeks
was absent from his office and war de-
partment officials declined to comment
Or what action would be taken with
respect to forwarding the proposal to
congress.
]. Il. Leyering, n civil engineer. of
Los Angeles. attacked the offers before
the committee. including those of
Henry Ford. the Alabama Power COM
pany and Mr. Engstrum, which he de-
clared failed to rise to the dignity of
contracts" but more nearly resembled
well werded handouts He had been
with Mr.. Engstrum, Mr..
Levering said. but walked out" when
that proposal was modified.
Recall Power Official
The committee recalled Thomas ".
president of the Alabama
Power company who briefly explained
that the power company had not par
ticipated in any way in the propaganda
which, he said, was being
throughout the country in
the interests of one of the proposals
the committee was investigating. Mr..
Martin declared the company was
standing flatly on it's record as a pub
lie utility of long service and was con-
fident of the fairness of the offer it
had made for Muscle Shoals.
Chairman Kahn conferred late Mon
lay with Secretary Mellon on the fl
nancial phase of Muscle Shoals de- |
velopment. The secretary said he
would reserve any statement until he
mad carefully studied the various pro-
posals and testimony the committee |
aad collected regarding them. Mr..
Kahn said he expected Mr.. Mellon /
would testify before the committee con-
.luded its hearings.
w. B. Mayo. chief Of Mr.. Ford's |
engineers, Is scheduled to present to
he committee Tuesday the alterations !
which Mr.. Ford has agreed to make in
lis contract proposal.