The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-02-21
FLORENCE MEETING. DENOUNCES POWER.
 COMPLAINTS OFFER.
Alabama Power AssaiIed for Attempt to Come Between the Government and
 Henry Ford"

IOTeHCei FSDIudFy GU.--k opSClal.l J The "get-together" dinner of the chamber of commerce tonight re- solved itself into an indignation meeting at which the Alabama Power company was the subject of severe criticism for attempting to block negotiations between the federal government and Henry Ford"
 The dinner was attended by more than 200 or the leading citizens of Florence, constituting the member ship of the chamber of commerce. the Rotary club and the Exchange club. The following resolutions eondemning the Aalama Power company's bid for the Muscle Shoals properties were passed unanimously by citizens ot Florence in mass meeting assembled take note of the following facts:
 As Facts Are Seen
 '1. That the Alabama Power com pany, doing business in this state, is owned principally by a foreign corp oration with it's official domicile in Canada, tsee official peport of Gra- ham Investigating committee), that the majority of it's stock is owned in Canada and England. and the pol icy of the company IS therefore nee essarily alien.
 p. The only streams of Alabama offering opportunity for power de- velopments of considerable propor- tions are the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Little rivers and the Tennessee riyel at Muscle Shoals.
 g. That the Alabama Power com pany has bought up the entire water power sites and rights in perpetuity on the first three of these rivers, namely, the Coosa, Ta1lapoosa and Little rivers, and has entered upon a program of development by them selves. and the prevention of all de- velopment by others, generally esti- mated to cover period of 100 years. Although they have now been operat- ing in Alabama almost 20 years, they have completed only one unit in thls brogram and activities already dis played give no promise of completing within the 100 years, the develop ments alread yprOmised by them. II is therefore evident that their pur- pose in bidding for Muscle Shoals cannot be based upon d desire either for opportunity for their own eXpan- Sion or to faithfully serve the pub lie. but their propose must be found in their desire to entrench them selves and fasten upon the people of Alabama and surrounding states for all time the blight of their com plete and oppressive monopoly by inference they plead loudly against d 1OO-year lease to Henry Ford. but they propose to yield nothing of the strangle hold which they have acquir- ed in perpetuity on every important power site in Alabama except Muscle Shoals. In their activities, instead oi developing navigation conjointly with power, their development prevents navigation in any continuous form Their entire interest Is to retard de- velopment of power and navigation as in so doing they can maintain highest possible rates for power ana delay responsibility for navigation. Their record is that they have pro cured municipal franchises for ilghI and power wherever possible and re- tail current at exhorbitant retail rates. They have not fostered or de- veloped industry at any point they serve and their reputation in the state is in line with the findings of the Graham congressional investiSatns committee in reference to their uh- patriotic dealings with the govern ment during and following the war.
 Would Halt Developments
 For the foregoing reasons we con clude that should Congress accepl any proposal from Alabama Power company that would give them con trol over Muscle Shoals, 1t could only result in delaying developments in all other streams in Alabama over which they have already oo- tained control in perpetuity, or de- laying development of Muscle Shoals
 se. Alabama Power company ha: no experience in, nor plans Tor any activity outside of development anc transmission of power, and therefore could not be expected to finance or develop power faster than develop. ment of industry by others would create demand for power.
 "7. Being a corporation owned bA aliens. the citizens of the United States could not entrust their secur- iity and preparedness as nation tt the mercies of its policy makers whC are men whose allegiance IS sworr to other countries.
 Indorse Ford
 "s. On the other hand, MT Henry Ford has formulated mammoth | plan Of 1nduStrlal ueAelopihtht hnd grips the imagination and thrills th' enthusiasm of every American citi zen, and seeks power for it's opera ton. He is to the manor born. H. has proved himself capable. He | regarded as fair in all his dealings l American citizens, wherever located have confidence that he can and vii succeed in the construction and op eration of a great industrial sectiol lin such manner as to not only giy' 1 employment to thousands now unem ployed but also to awaken new ant | inspiring ideals in industrial life. H. came promptly upon invitation of hi government and not at the last hou and made d reasonable proposal t Immediately develop all the power a Muscle Shoals, not part of it, and t | immediately employ tine whole powe developed in needed industry and t immediately make navigable tn l river for the benefit of up-river citie as Decatur, Guntersville, Chatta nooga and Knoxville. He also pro poses to overhaul the plants. pro cesses and personnel subject to tn Immediate call of the government il case of war and to operate to full ca
 nacity for the benefit of the farmer ! in times of peace
 "e. While legislation and cour 1 rulings in every quarter have con ! ceded to railroads. banks, in fact al | forms of business, and to organizes l labor, the right to a reasonapl
 profit or to reasonable wage, oni
 tContinued on Last Pase)