Evening star., 1922-07-29
Muscle Shoals Plant Should Be
0nerafed


The attack by the Senate committee
on the offer made by Henry Ford for
the purchase Of the Muscle Shoals nj
trogen and power plant has revived in
terest in that great project 1t seems
to be the general opinion of the edi-
torial writer's of the country that in
the light of the present condition of
the national treasury it would be unwise
to attempt any government operation.
Many of the papers hold that, even con-
ceding Ford would be getting a bar
gain, the offer made by him should be
accepted to insure operation of prof.
ect now decaying because Of lack of
operation. In case of war the plant
will be needed, editors argue, and this
being the case 1t should be operated
and kept up to date and, as the gov
ernment now is not able to do this, pri-
vate interests should be given their
chance.
The proposal for government opera
ton Is the least attractive of any sug-
gested, the Newark News believes, be-
cause "it is not to be expected that
such proposal will find much grace
in an administration committed to the
principle of less government in busi-
ness. II WOuiu De lOTeuOOITeQ TO ldll
through the injection of politics into
such big business and the trail of fa-
voritism that would mark its admin
tstration. The government would be
setting a rare example as COMPETE
tor for business against private enter
should be possible to dismiss this sug-
gestion as chimerical. Certainly 1t is
contrary to the American genius and
tradition
There is a lack of plain language
in the Senate committee report, the
regrettable, the report being adorned
with rhetorical flowers Of the kind
that usually grow only in the hot
house atmosphere of political cam
paign speeches What is there about
Henry Ford that people go delirious,
name is injected into any contro-
versy? Ford's Muscle Shoals plan may
or may not be as bad as is painted,
but why throw doubt on the findings
language, Mr. Ford may feel that
his opponents have done him a real
service by weakening their case by
historical rhetoric" With millions
tied up in the work, and no benefits
resulting, the ithaca Journal News
should be leased to some one of the
several proponents or the government
should develop the plant for the
purpose of leasing power or the
scrapped. Why positive action should
cost of millions to the country is
one of the unexplained curiosities of
government"
Despite the Senate report the Port
Huron Times-Herald thinks the pub
lie should be given all of the facts
because, even literally discounting
the scathing report of the Senate
committee, and giving to Mr. Ford 8
supporters the benefit Of every doubt,
there is too much involved to per-
Muscle Shoals is still a big question
mark in the minds Of the American
people," Suggesting that Senator
Norris rather overworks the ad-
jective. wonderful the Birmin CHAM
Age-HeraId says the report processes
have been misled by propaganda and
Henry Ford is pictured as the most
colossal pirate that ever lived. Mr..
Fords answer is that he stands pat
The issue will have to, be fought
out in Congress. Both sides to the
controversy may we'll be suspected
of exaggeration. A suggestion that
the Gorgas plant be sold to the Ala
bama Power Company is practically
enough since it is not necessary
to the development of Muscle Shoals.
but in most other respects Senator
Norris plan looks like an iridescent
dream that will never be realized"
The report must be widely read,
the Birmingham News insists, be
cause it Is the first time the oppo-
sition to the Ford offer has been
brought down to concrete facts and
assertion. uttered by supposedly nom
partisan authorities. 1t is the re-
port Of a great committee of the
Senate Of the United States and,
however distasteful some Of its
statements are, the fact must be
recognized that it is to date the
most formidable blow struck at prf-
vate operation of the Muscle Shoals
utilities and power. and unfortunately
will strengthen the opposition to dis
posal Of these assets to private In
terests."
that whoever gets the Muscle Shoals
property-if ever an individual or a
corporation gets ft-mdst make a far
better offer than the one proposed by
Henry Ford, or by any others, for
that matter, who have bid upon it."
But the Grand Rapids Press feels
that the choice was between Ford
and ruin. The south will tingle with
anticipation as to whether a republic
can administration really intends to
turn the scarce Treasury funds to
federal completion of dam which
will build southern industry and null
tiply southern power. And farmers
the country over, demanding cheap
the next election" To this the New
York Herald replies that there is
no objection to Mr.. Ford getting the
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