The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-01-28


Muscle Shoals plant at present is
red tape" the Monitor feels that
rhe hazard involved in taking up
With Mr.. F'ord's offer is hardly
reater than the hazard involved in
not taking up with it." Because of
the Ford legend of achievement the
San Antonio Light QndD suggests
that what would be a great risk on
the part of the government in deal
ing with some other man who
wanted the Muscle Shoals property"
would be a safer venture in dealing
with Detroit's industrial giant, for
it would be simply q recognition
Of a kind OF genius which, although
perhaps inexpIicable, has unmis
takably produced remarkable re-
suits in practical affairs"
Asks Long Term Lease.
But the Topeka Capital (Rep) in
sists that the bid should be con-
sidered apart from Mr. Ford him
self, on its practical merits 1t
gives the following general de-
scription of the project and the
proposition:
IT <uc bONcA unlCHI hdo PCa4J dOOuN
Ndz 900, 900 on the Muscle Shoals
project. 1t has created a good deal
by this outlay, comprising a COM
plete cyanamide plant to produce
nitrates out of the air, this plant
having been completed at a cost of
$4,000 900. About $4,000, 900 were
spent in other construction in con-
nection with this plant. This is one
unit Of the project. Another is the
construction of dams of the Ten
nessee river shoals to supply water
power to run the cyanamide plant
These dams are uncompleted, the
government having spent altogether
about $4,000 goo on them.
For the completed $87 900, 900
cyanamide plant and accessories Mr..
Ford offers $4,000 900 on terms to
be agreed upon. For the dams and
/ Waterpower he proposes that the
government go ahead and complete
taese works. with the understand
ing that the completed works shall
be taken to represent a total cost
OF S4S,000,0 900 In addition the
Ford offer is an annual rental of
N,126,547 for 100 years, for the en-
tire project"
What Mr.. Ford proposes to dc
with the property if his contract
IS granted, as outlined by the Ari-
iona Republican (PhoeniX, Ind.
frog) is to locate in the south, for
me manufacture of fertilizer and
NE distribution of waterpower lone
OF the great industrial centers Of
NE country. 1t involves the crea-
noh Of city 70 miles long. with
rural background carrying out a
view long advocated by him that
ne families of working men should
reside IN communities where the
Sufantages of rural life would not
0e entirely lost to them"
Dream OF Empire.
Is the dream "of an industrial
eLplre in the south" says the Nash
'lle Tennessean (Ind. DEM such
a = many have dreamed before
nm But by awarding him the
MUSCLE Shoals project" the conf
senee that men have in Henry Ford,
confidence born of achievement,
WI contribute largely to the reali-
-euon OF that dream And the south
ppants Ford. declares the Nashville
Naaner (IndD. because:
is known that he has ample
.apial and demonstrated capacity
W operating such a large enter
N'Se- Then there is the belief
that he will bring capital,
Ssuefgy and capacity into the south
Lei may give this section of the
;SSsntfy start toward reaching the
'.auustrlal development OF other
ssesuons. Beyond all this the feel
obtains largely among the
ossopie here that Mr.. Ford's meth
80 are altruistic. and he would
-. conduct the Muscle Shoals en-
@prlSe In coldly selfish way for
sa sake OF the profit that might be
I'm Sent elsewhere, but would have a
10 the general welfare"
Has Two Objections.
me Ford offer as the Baltimore
Gun lind. DEM analyzes it, has
40 undesirable features, the long
~ OF the lease, and a fixed pay
| ~ lor an indeterminate amount
power" The lease, it holds,
moaia De for a much shorter term
to- aa IVV years." and following GUS
~ engineering practice. the
sos eht for power should bear
S LIE relation TO the amount of
nr usNi." The Utica Press
~ ~ reports that "statisticians
NJ accountants who have care