The New York herald., 1922-01-12
FORD PLANS Big CITY
AT MUSCLE SHOALS
Model Industrial Center Of
Many Units Is Dream OF
Manufacturer.
NO MONETARY BENEFIT
Vast Water Power Develop
ment in Program if U. s.
Accepts Offer.
70 MONETARY BENEFIT

DETROIT, Jan. Ii (Associated Press.
the Muscle Shoals project in Alabama he
will take immediate steps TO make that
part of the South one Of the industrial
centers of the country, the Associated
Press learned to-day.
The Muscle Sh-als plan of Mr. Ford
contemplates ons of the greatest under
'akings in the history Of industrial
America, it became known. and includes
DEVELOPMENT of Tie property as model
and the eventual extension Of the sys-
tenn to many otler parts of the country
Mr.. Fords proposal includes the build
ing Of city seventy-five miles long in
the Muscle ShDsls region. 1t would be
made up of a number OF large towns or
small cities. THIS is in line with the
manufacturers View that men and their
families should live in small communi-
ties. where benefits Of rural or near
rural life would not be entirely lost.
Mr.. Ford's proposal TO the Government
includes leasing &C the property for 100
years. But before ,the expiration of half
that time he PR poses to turn the COM
pleted project over to the PEOPLE of the
district or to the Government in such a
way that no one in the future will be
able to make a personal profit from the
undertaking.
He will arrange that neither he nor
any of his heirs nay realize any none
tary benefit from the Muscle Shoals
plants or the power developed. it became
known.
Mr.. Ford proposes to make the project,
II the Government gives its consent, the
outstanding achievement Of his career.
The Muscle Shoals project is, however,
only the start o. greater program. 1t
was stated. This includes the develop
ment OF water ower facilities in many
parts of the co.'i try by which persons
IN those communities would derive
power to run manufacturing plants. light
their homes and run machinery on the
farms. One detail of the plan Is the
Harvesting by farmers of every creek
and brook that crosses their property.
Mr.. Ford expects to leave here about
noon tomorrow for Washington to con-
fer with Secretary Weeks regarding his
proposal of leasing the Alabama plant
III the Government accepts Mr.. Ford's
bid. work at Muscle Shoals will be start
ed at once. The nitrate and other plants
would be run by steam power pending
the time the great dam, that will require
about two years 20 build. has harnessed
the water at ,his point. Then would fol-
low rapid development. in the opinion
Of Mr.. Ford. until within a compara-
tively few years an industrial certer
greater than Detroit would have been
built Up.
Mr.. Ford believes the Muscle Shoals
pian, u consuTnlated. would be the start
toward development OF the Mississippi
| River valley. The manufacturer be-
lieves this valley could run the United
States" IL the water now going to
waste could be utilized.
Eventually, in Mr.. Ford's opinion, the
Government could derive enough revenue
from these power projects to support
itself. thereby revolutionizing the finan-
cial system of the country.
Mr.. FORD has bent the greater part Of
bis energies during the last few weeks
TO whipping into shape his plans to de-
velop the Alabama district in the event
he obtains the lease from the Govern
mont. He has held many conferences on
this matter and his program is known
70 be ready. This includes definite steps
toward development of water power in
every part OF the country. The manu-
fncturer does not believe it practica BILE
20 carry power for long distances and
therefore has evolved q plan to provide
each district with its own project.