Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1922-06-17
MUSCLE SHOALS
MAY GO TO FORD
COMMITTEE MAJORITY WOULD
EXCLUDE PLANT; DEMOCRATS
BACK FULL ACCEPTANCE
Two Republicans Submit A Third
Report Favoring Claim of Ala
bama Company and Many
Notifications

WaShington.-Three separate re-
ports setting forth recommendation
for action by congress with respect
to private development of the govern
ment's S106,O0O,oO0 power and nitrate
projects at Muscle Shoals, Ala, were
made to the house Friday by members
of the military committee.
Acting Chairman Mckenzie of Illinois.
who drafted the majority report, de-
clares at the outset of that document
that the Ford proposal WIS the only
one found "worthy of serious consid-
Grafton and askes it's acceptance by
the house; provided, however that the
Gorgas steam plant be not included
among the projects to be sold.
Concurrence in the majority report,
except for the reference to the Gorgas
plant, is voiced in one of the minority
opinions, presented by Representative
Wright (Dem.) of Georgia and support
ed by Representatives James (Rep.)
of Michigan and the remaining Demon
cratic members. They ask full COM
pliance by the house with all provi-
sions of the Ford proposal, and point
out the belief that, If congress climates
the Gorgas unit, it would defeat the
Ford offer.
In third report, submitted by Rep
resentative Parker (Rep.) of New Jer-
sey and signed by Representative
rockingham (Rep.) of Massachusetts,
the opinion is adverse to the accept
ance of Mr.. Fords offer, unless it is
modified in other sections than that
dealing with Gorgas. In the event Mr..
Ford declined to agree to the modifi-
cation proposed, the signers would
have the secretary of war lease the
dams and nitrate plants con such
terms as will secure the completion
of the dams,' and would authorize him
to settle fair value of the Gorgas plant
and convey the same to the Alabama
Power company"
The majority report says that up
to date the government has expend-
ed on the shoals undertaking y"some-
thing over $106,0OO,O00, approximately
$5,000.000 of which was expended upon
the Gorgas steam plant and transmits
sion line"
In conclusion, the majority report
says:
1.-Two courses are open, one gov
eminent ownership and operation,
WHICH, in view of the character of the
project, would, in tle judgementof the
majority of his committee, mean dis
aster to the hopes of the farmers and
other users of commercial fertilizers.
To have. the government undertake
and engage in the manufacture or FER.
tilizer ingredients, with political su.
perintendents, foreman and straw
bosses. Is unthlnkable, and to under
take such a scherae would be I'm.
speakable folly.
1.-THE alternative course is to sell
the tangible property on conditions
prescribed by congress, lease the
power at fair rental, and permit in.
dividual American initiative and in
genuity to have an opportunity at this
place, where the greatest water power
IL our country can he developed, re-
quiring preservation OF the element
Of national defense and at the same
time giving an opportunity for relief.
II such there can be, to not only the
Southland, but to our country, In the
way of commercial fertilizer at reason.
able prices
Representatives Wright points out In
his minority report, that the question
of disposng of the vast properties at
Muscle Shoals. 'is fraught with fur
reaching and momentous results. and
Is one Of the greatest which has ever
engaged the attention Of congress"