Pueblo chieftain., 1922-01-12
Henry Ford and Muscle Shoals.

In northwestern Alabama Henry Ford proposes to
make experiment that may have important bearing
upon the future of civilization
The Tennessee river rises in the mountains Of the
eastern Of the state of Tennessee and flows in
southwestern direction the border into Alabama.
Then it turns to the west and nearly Alabama
then turns again the north the states Of Ten
and Kentucky and emtes into the Ohio not far
from the junction of that river with the Mississippi.
Near the last great bend the river the local cond
tions favorable to the development of Of the
greatest water power plants Of this continent, and
Muscle Shoals selected by the government Of the
United States for the building Of great hydroelecro
plant with the main purpose Of producing ntrates from
the nitrogen Of the air.
At the end of the war this plant had not been
sted and with the end Of the the need for such
plant undertaking of the government ceased to
exist It is this plant, upon which vast amount Of
money has been expended that Mr.. Ford proposes to
take under plan that will provide for its compile
tion and subsequent operation producer OF nitrate.
and Of power for manufacturing purposes.
number Of articles have appeared recently dealing
With various features of Mr. Fords plans and purposes
These show very clearly that the matter is something
quite different from simple and Straightforward busi
proposition. He proposes to make this expert
ns in finance and in sociology rather than enterprise
Of manufacturing or business.
q dearborn
Independent, presumably with Mr. Fords approval the
Muscle Shoals pan will abolish and overthrow the
gold standard with other minor, but important results
The Associated Press also carries story that shows
the importance that Mr. Ford attaches to this enterprise
suggesting that this may be but Of many such under
tangs in various parts Of the country with revolution
ary effect upon agriculture, manufacturing finance and
economic and social conditions-al Of which, accord
ing this story will be undertaken not for the personal
profit glory Of Henry Ford but for the promotion Of
the welfare Of the American people.
There few in the world today who have
the qualities essay such undertaking is proposed
by Mr. Ford, and there still fewer who have the
resources financial and otherwise for such undertak
ing 1t is impossible to overestimate the benefits that
would from his success, but the magnitude of the
possible benefit should not lead anyone to overlook the
possible danger. Mr. Ford undoubtedly has clever press
agents and the feature Of the plan which will
popular enthusiasm doubtless planned for that parti
cular effect
If Mr. Ford desires to make this Kind Of An expert
msnt he should be given fair opportunity, and neither
political personal prejudice should block enter
prise Of the highest public interest But congressman
vhoss hands the defences OF the people, safety and
liberties should not omit any of the usual precautions
What Henry Ford contracts to do and what his press
agents say he will do may not always be just the
snd it is the duty Of 10 that while the doors
Of public benefit eft open those Of public harm
tightly closed.