The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1922-03-14

| 'S out tiidt SolIlc OF these OppOn-
ents OF the measure will forgive him
II he votes for the bonus, but that the
eX-servlce men never will And so
willy-nilly' is apt to be found with
the supporter who is for the bonus
because he believes in it. The power
OF the two elements is anost-but not
qulte-enough to put through bonus
Dill, However, the big but" is un-
answered-"But, where is the money
coming from?" All other assets hay
ing been pledged, the bonus support
ers have suggested the proceeds from
the foreign debt. But" again, these
are indeed shadowy millions, and it is
very doubtful whether they could be
depended upon for so good purpose
as bonus.
Representative Mondell is the Re-
publican leader of the house, and Rep
resentative Fordney is chairman of
the ways and means committee.
They are, in short, the authorities who
speak for that branch of congress.
The other day they came from the
White House, and Mr.. Mondell stop
ped to tell the reporters that he had
concluded that congress should wait
awhile before passing the bonus bill,
and that little delay might serve ito
clear the skies" He explained vol
uminously, all to the effect that the
government might have better con-
ditlon in its finances later on.
Facts weight more than enthusiasm,
and hope! All of these facts lead to
the belief that the optimism of ex-
service men is poorly founded; and
most cautious observers who study
the Washington situation and are
thereby enabled to forecast its results,
are mostly agreed that the soldiers
bonus bill will not be passed at this
session of congress. The ony thing
that can save the measure would be
the surrender of President Harding
to its support. And this is not re-
garded as likely to occur.
Delving Into Muscle
Shoals.
|. The committee of congress that has
been investigating the different offers
for the purchase of Muscle Shoals
has brought out many interesting facts
that have not been understood by the
public. OF course the committee was
disappointed by the failure of Henry
Ford to accept its invitation, and elu-
cidate his offer for the great Niagara
OF the South" But the Alabama Pow
er company, which is likewise a bid
der for the property, is not so modest,
and Thomas w. Martin, president of
the company, told the committee that
his company holds an option for the
exclusive right to purchase the war
rior steam plant, contained in the con-
tract signed with the war department,
by which power was supplied by the
plant during the war for operation of
nitrate plants at Muscle Shoals. Mr.
Ford includes this property in his of
fer to the war department despite the
: claim to it of the Alabama company
The feature of the hearings brings
out the facts that the Alabama inter
ests that are seeking to purchase
Muscle Shoals have already won their
spurs in the South by creating and
carrying on large developments, anc
that it would seem that they should
I be given particular consideration or
account of their accomplished achieve
: ments. On the other hand Mr.. Fore
: is being pictured as later-day "carpe
Dagger" SO far as this particular pro
y position is concerned. But Ford il
: Ford, and there are none like him
$ hence the Ford enthusiasm in connec
n ton with Muscle Shoals. 1t may
S nevertheless, be regarded as unfor
u tunate for the public interests, tina
e the investigation before congress doe
: not disclose the particular merit
IT claimed for the Ford offer. 1t is sal,
e that Mr.. Ford will make alteration
in his proposition 1t is clear that TIL
/ government will not do business witt
II him unless these changes are far NOR
l. favorable than anything contained il
Is the earlier proposals.
= Radio Enthusiasm
IS Everywhere.
Is A year ago there were $4,000 wire
/ less telephone receiving sets in tn
"a country; today there are 100000 set.
III The only reason why there aren
$ more is because the supply has becom
; inadequate to the demand. Ever
H. night these sets are used by thej
~ owners and their guests to participat
"a in lectures and concerts that ar
&c thrown into the air" in New Yorl
H. Washington, Chicago, Detroit, Sa
Is Francisco, and other cities, The d,
oil light of one bug" when he finds
III svmpathetic radio soul is canal to th