The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-07
Muscle Shoals Hearings
 Approaching Conclusion
Copies of New Proposal for Government ProjectsAre Re- ceived Informally by House Military Committee
By Associated Press

Washington, March 6.-lnVestlga- ton by the House military commit tee of the various offers from pri- vate interests for purchase, lease, completion and operation of the gov ernment's power and nitrate projects at Muscle Shoals, moved rapidly nearer a conclusion today and ap- preached within two days of the end of open hearings on the subject, com- mittee members said tonight
 A conference by Chairman Kahn with Speaker Gillett, resulting in the announcement that a resolution au- thorlzing the committee members to visit Muscle Shoals and vicinity would be introduced in the House soon. was one of the outstanding de- velopments. Other events including The completion of testimony on the third and last offer before the com mittee, that submitted by Frederick E. Engstrum. of Wilmington, N. C.. which provides for a 50-ye2r lease of the properties and their completion under supervision of an operating company to be created, subject to government approval.
 New offer Received
 The committee also received in- formally copies of new proposal which was submitted today at the M ar department by Thomas Hamp ton, d general contractor of Wash lAgeon. U. (. The offer following .ioseiy the original offer of MT. Eng serum. allowing for completion and operation of the shoals project, in- eeuding the manufacture of nttrates and fertilizer compounds, in the event lhe government decided to finance the development by reimbursing the operating company which would be created by MT Hampton. Secretary Weeks was absent from his office and war department officials de- etined to comment on what action it would take with respect to forward ing the proposal to Congress.
 J. E. Lowering, a civil engineer of Los Angeles, Cal, attack ed the offers before the committee including those of Henry Ford, the Alabama Power company and MT. Engstrum which he declared failed to rise to the dlg- nifty of contracts" but more nearly resembled well worked handouts" lie had been associated with Mr. Bngstrum, MT. Lowering said, but walked out" when that proposal was modified.
 Martin fs Recalled
 The committee recalled Thomas w. Martin, president of the Alabama Power company who briefly ex- plained that the power company had not participated in any way in the propaganda campaign. which he said, was being conducted throughout the country in the interest of one of the proposals. MT. Martin declared the company was standing flatly on it's record as public utility of long service" and was confident of tue sshfi'ness of Che offer it had made Tor Muscle Shoals.
 Another witness heard today was Francis E. Buckingham, an invest ment banker of Boston. He said the bankers he represented were agreed that Muscle Shoals could be de- Netoped under the power company's offer to the maximum extent of pub lie service and that it's development under the Ford or Engstrum pro- posuls would be "uninteresting" to them.
 Confers With Mellon
 Chairman Kahn conferred late to- day with Secretary Mellon on the fi-
 
 velopment. The secretary said ne would reserve any statement until he had carefully studied the various proposals and testimony the commit lee had collected regarding them. MT. Kahn said he expected Mr. Mel lon would testify before the commit tee concluded it's hearings and that Attorney General Daugherty also would appear to give his opinions on The legal complications existing be- Tween the war departmen4 and pri- Ndtc companies who claim option rights on certain of the shoals units.
 To Present Alterations
 w. 5. Mayo, chief of MT. Ford's en- gineers, is scheduled to present to the committee tomorrow the altera- ions which Mir. Ford has agreed to make in his contract proposal. These have been awaited with interest by proponents of the Ford plans who contend that the alterations, when disclosed will cause decided change in attitude on the part of the com mitteemen who perhaps have not heen altogether favorable in their in- terpretations of the offer in the sorm it was submitted. Representa- lives Oliver and Almon, of Alabama, also received permission to make brief statements during the sessions tomorrow. Both said they wished to speak briefly in support of the Fora proposal.
 MT. Mayos testimony was expected practically to end the daily sessions of the committee and virtually close the investigations of the three of fcrs. Chairman Kahn said the treas ury secretary and attorney general !, euld be called at their convenience, but the the committee meanwhile would suspend the open daily meet ings and begin executive considera- tion of the report it would make to the House on the entire question of Muscle Shoals development.