The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-16
PROPOSAL WILL BE. FURTHER AMENDED, ADVOCATES BELIEVE.
With 50-Year Lease, Ford Offer Reported Favorably by Senate Committee,
 It Is Believed
By HUGH W. ROBERTS Washington Bureau. The Age Herald.
 800 Dayiaon Building.

800 Davtson Building.
 Washington, July 15.-(Special.) The Senate committee on agriculture today rejected the Henry Ford offer for Muscle Shoals by vote of to I7. It refused to report the offer with an amendment reducing the proposed lease period from 100 to 50 years by vote of 8 to 8.
 It refused to take up the govern ment ownership bill of Senator Nor ris by vote of to 5. As result each separate school of thought will render it's report to the senate and the battle ab initio will be fought out in the open the next session of Congress.
 Gorgns Plant Block
 The Ford offer received of 21 votes in the house committee on mill itary affairs. 1t would have received ls of a majority of the votes had the Gorgas steam plant been eliminated from the list of properties to be given Ford. The offer would have been reported favorably by the Sem ate committee today had the pro- posed lease period been reduced from 100 to 50 years.
 sorgaa Removed
 The Gorgas steam plant Is far re- moved from Muscle Shoals. and in the opinion of Congress is not essen tial to Ford as 1t is to industrial Ala bama. It would be contrary to ex- isting law were the goVernmens to enter into a lease for a period greater than 50 years. If Focd would amend At fa a1f GnruaQ and reduce the lease periods. 1t could be put through Congress. That in the end he will do so is confidently believed. This belief. which Is be- coming general. is based on the knowledge that Ford Is sincere in his desire to acquire the property, build a new metropolis In Alabama, give the south an abundance of cheap, life giving fertilizer. and confer an actual boon on humanity. It Is not regarded as possible that Ford, all ready enriched beyond the dreams of avarice, would permit such minor considerations to checkmate him In schemes to uplift his more unfortu- nate neighbors.
 Fight Waxed Warm.
 The fight in the committee today was red hot and spectacular. Points of order were made oil every sugges- tion, and there were numerous ap- peals from the decisions of the chair. The conclusion reached, however, represents the sense Of the commit tee when all It's members are pres ent, and had, through a technicality, southern senators won a victory, 1t would have been annulled on the re- turn of absentees. As previously pointed out, the Muscle Shoals fight could not have been settled in com mittee. It was re-destined to con- stitute the Issue in spectacular struggle to be staged Tn the open.
 Harrison Leads.
 Senator Harrison of Mississippi led the pro-Ford fight in committee to- day. ably seconded by Senator Smith of South Carolina. Other democrats. Senators Heflin of Alabama, Ransdell of Louisiana and Caraway Of Arkan- sas, supported the leaders. One dem ocrat. Senator Kendrick of Wyoming, opposed Ford Two republicans, Senators Capper of Kansas and Ladd of North Dakota, supported Ford.
 Senators Harrison and Smith stated tonight that they had hope of put ting the Ford proposition through the Senate. It is admitted, however, that there can be no action prior to another session of Congress.