The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-16
HOUSE COMMITTEE ID CONSIDER ONLY
 'SSHOALSB|D
Manufacturer Will Have to Make Many Concessions to Secure Endorsement, 0b-
 servers Think
By HUGH W. ROBERTS Washington Bureau, The Age-Herald.
 800 Davidson Building.


 Washington, April 15.-(Special)- While the House committee on mili- tary affairs has announced that 1t will immediately undertake a minute investigation of all offers for the governments properties at Muscle Shoals, 1t will, in fact, confine itself to the offer of Henry Ford.
 This is not due to any outstanding defect In the offer of the Alabama Power company. But pressure in this election year is exerted In behalf of tho Ford offer. and the committee will yield to pressure.
 There is no indication, however. that the Ford offer will be accepted. It is the general understanding that the committee would reject 1t with out further ado but for the possible descension of MT. Ford from his lofty perch of indifference. This corre- spondent Is assured that MT. Ford will not only have to descend, but will have to descend to a considerable depth.
 Abandon Gorgas
 The committee will insist that MT. Ford abandon all claim to the Gorgas steam plant on which the Alabama Power company has an option. The committee Is said to be convinced, first. that the claim of the power com pany is just claim, and in the sec ond place, that for the operation of the nitrate plants at Muscle Shoals, MT. Ford does not require the Gorgas property
 It is understood that In this respect Ford will follow the suggestion of the committee. But other suggestions will be made, it is known. VIII Ford continue to yield? If he does not, at least half the membership of the committee would not be reduced to tears.
 It Is reported that the committee will insist that Ford agree in writ ing to produce a finished fertilizer in commercial quantities during the lease of 100 years, whether at a profit or a loss; secondly. that Ford agree to bear the cost of the burden of lands to be overflowed by the con struction of dam No. 3, and third. that Ford increase from $5,000,000 to $10,- 100000 his offer for the nitrate plants, the quarry at Waco and the other invaluable property which his offer comprehends.
 Appear in Person
 The committee will insist, further, that in discussing final negotiations that MT. Ford appear in person. It is understood that the committee will not insist on MT Ford testifying. The committee Is willing that he con- tinue to speak through his agent, w. B. Mayo. But the committee wants MT. Mayo to have first-hand informa- tion so that regarding his committals there will be no question.
 If Mir. Ford proves amenable to the suggestions of the committee, 1t is strongly indicated that the commit tee will report his offer to Congress. In that event, the battle would be transferred to the House and the Sem ate committee on agriculture. Should Ford decline to meet the committee half way, the committee, 1t Is indi- cated, will reject all offers, and pro- ceed to the consideration of the idea of Representative Kahn, which con sion for the operation of Muscle Shoals, and the idea of Senator Nor ris, which contemplates government ownership.
 The Senate committee, 1t is under George. who since 1919 has desired to invite the soviets to Paris to con fer together, has succeeded after three years in making his views pre- vail. It remains to be seen whether he will not be the first to repent. The French people sincerely think AIr