The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-02-02
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL

Al NV ''NhS oAo"
that it will cost approximately $751;
O0O, 900 to complete the work at
Muscle Shoals. Henry Ford in his
negotiations with Secretary of War
Weeks has all along made it plain
that he does o want the plant until
it is finished. The Government has
already spent $105, 000, 900 at Muscle
Shoals, and Secretary Weeks believes
that if Henry Ford OF anyone else is
to be taken in as a partner on the en-
terprise that they should come for
ward with an offer involving the e
penditure by them of some real money.
But Mr.. Ford does not propose to put
up any part of the required SIS, 000, 900
and when Mr.. Weeks says why not
the Detroit manufacturer rushes out
to the newspaper reporters to com
plain that he has been asked "irrelev-
ant questions" 1t is the old story
Of a partnership in which one of the
partners supplies all the money and
the other the experience. Eventually
in such cases the man with the sex
perience" also gets the money. Mr..
Ford has offered nothing for Muscle
Shoals. except to operate it, and pay
the Government interest on a
fraction of its investment.
Because the Secretary of War will
not accept the postage stamp bid OF
Mr.. Ford, and ask Congress for $685.,
0O0, 600 of additional money-which
there isn't the slightest likelihood he
could ever have apprenticeship.
Ford complains that his bid is being
"jockeyed and juggled about" He
calls his offer an industrial philan.
%throphy," and when he is reminded
that he might show his good faith
by adding a little money, he reports
that even though he is the richest
man in the world that the Govern.
ment must, nevertheless supply all
the cash. For is he not putting VI
the experience To show how easy
it is for the Government to get the
money he trots out a speculative fiat
money scheme, with the discussion OF
which he evidently hopes to interest
the public long enough for them to
forget his unfortunate attacks on the
Jews.
Undoubtedly Secretary Weeks has
been disappointed in not being able
to obtain some kind of a proposition
from Mr.. Ford that he could ask Con,
gress to approve. The Government
and the people in the South, have a
great desire to finish Wilson Dam and
develop the industrial possibilities
along the Tennessee River. But the
case Is as old as industry itself, and
unless something more tangible is
suggested than that the Government
send $58, 1000, 900 of good money chas.
ing after sos, 900. 900 of bad money
the outlook for Muscle Shoals is dubi
ous, even though Mr.. Ford and others
may shout about industrial philan
throphy," the fertilizer trust opposi-
tion,' red tape. and Irrelevant cues.
tons concerning phases Of the sub.
ject that the Government prefers not
to leave in allegiance when considering
the future of the great project.
The Administration is anxious about
Muscle Shoals, and it believes that
someone is soon to make a bone ide
offer for it. The present delays are
regretable. but when Mr.. Ford finishes
blowing the froth off his cup and de.
cides to put up or shut up" then he
may be n of those who will make
the Government a sound offer. Right
now the Government is waiting for
those with postage stamp bids" to
subside.. Secretary Weeks says Mr.
Ford is raw" and the evidence all
supports this charge.
Postmaster General Will H. HAYS
Is to become a factor in the MOVING
picture industry, and In his retire
ment from the Cabinet 1t is explained
that he expects to render a great
public service" in improving the
character of moving picture shows
There Is no question but what the
opportunity to use the pitchfork in
throwing a lot of filth onto the dunn
Is excellent, and an energetic man
like Hays Is apt to earn a lot, IL Ao1
all. OF the tremendous salary that has
tempted him to say goodbye to 9
post that most people believe is more
honorable and which likely o1ers 8
greater opportunity for public ser
vice than the new job that Mr.. Hays
will engage upon.
Most people may have forgotten II
but when Mr.. McAdoo resigned from