The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-09
No IntimatiOn Is Given as to
How Soon Action VIII Come.
Military Committee Leaves 1t
Up to House Membership.
COULDN'T AGREE IN q MONTHS
Real Difference Is Over the
GOrgas Steam Plant Plan.
Majority Wants 1t Left Out of
Offer-Others Differ.

Washington, June 9.-House lead
ers declined today to give the mem
bership any idea as to how soon the
reports dealing with Henry Ford's Of
fer for the Muscle Shoals property
might be taken up for consideration
Representative Mondell, the Republi-
can leader, declaring that no decision
could be reached until they had been
submitted and studied.
Three separate reports setting forth
accommodations for action by con-
gress with respect to private develop
ments of the governments $106,000.-
600 power and nitrate projects at
Muscle Shoals, Ala, were made to the
house today by members of the mill
tary committee.
The task of making a final deci-
sion is admitted in each report to be
the duty of the full membership OF
the house at an early date. but recon-
mendation to that end submitted after
four months of continuous considera-
ton by the committee differ in impor-
tant respects as they are presented in
the documents.
His the Only Good One.
Acting Chairman Mckenzie OF Illi-
nois, who drafted the majority re-
port, declares at the outset of that
document that the Ford proposal was
the only one found worthy of serious
considera ton" and asks its acceptance
by the house, provided, however. that
the Gorgas steam plant is not includ-
ed among the projects to be disposed
of at Muscle Shoals.
Concurrence in the majority report.
except for references made with re-
spect to the Gorgas plant, is voiced
in one of the minority opinions pre-
sented by Representative Wright.
Democrat. Georgia, and supported b.
Michigan. and remaining Democratic
members.
They ask full compliance by the
house with all provisions of the Ford
proposal, including the Gorgas prop
erty, and point out the belief that II
congress eliminates the Gorgas unit
it would defeat the Ford offer.
Plant Must Be Included.
In the third report submitted by
Representative Parker, Republican.
New Jersey. and signed by Represen-
tative rockingham, Republican,
Massa chusetts. the opinion is adverse
to the acceptance of Mr.. Ford's offer
unless it is modified in other sections
than that dealing with Gorgas. In
the event Mr. Ford declined to agree
to the notifications proposed the
signers would have the secretary OF
war lease the dams and nitrate plants
on such terms as will secure the COM
pletion of the dams. and would au-
of the Gorgas plant and convey tho
same to the Alabama Power COM
pany."
Mr. Mckenzie. in the majority re-
port, says in part: "A glance at the
figures set forth will disclose the fact
that up to date the government has
expended upon this colossal undertak-
ing something over $106, 600, 900, ap-
proximately $5.O0O.o0o of which was
expended upon the Gorgas steam
plant and transmission line"
Government COuldn't Do It
Two courses are open" the ma
jority report adds, "one, government
ownership and operation, which in
view of the character of the project
would in the judgment of the majority
of the committee mean not only fall
ure from the standpoint of income
but disaster to the hopes OF the farm
ers and other users of commercial fer
tilizers. To have the government un-
dertake and engage in the manufac-
ture of fertilizer ingredients with po-
litical superintendents, foremen and
strawbosses is unthinkable, and to
undertake such a scheme would be
folly.
1.-The alternative course is to sell
the tangible property to private indf-
viduals or to a corporation on condf-
tions prescribed by congress, lease the
power at a fair rental and permit in
American initiative and in
genuity to have an opportunity at this
place where the greatest water power
in our country can be developed re-
quiring a preservation of the element
of national defense and at the same
time giving an opportunity for relief
if such there can be, to not only the
southland, but our entire country IN
the way OF commercial fertilizer at
prices"
The Ford proposal. the report con-
cludes, is the only proposal yet mads
by any one that even gives ground
for hope, and his offer IS not entirely
free from objections"