The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-09-26
OFFER BY FORD
MAY YET PREVAIL

Washington, Sept. 25.-When the
/ congress is called into extraordinary
session the middle of November, it is
regarded as entirely possible that ac-
ton will be permitted on the vari-
Gus plans for the permanent dispo-
sition of the governments $1OO,OOO,-
900 properties at Muscle Shoals.
Elections will have been held. Mem
bers will have opportunity of con-
sidering this most important matter
without prejudice or bias. The at
mosphere will have been cleared of
threats and cajoling The Republi.
can majority will no longer have a
scintilla of excuse for further delay.
1t is anticipated, however, that
Muscle Shoals, after the elections,
will not be as popular as it is to-
day. There is a very strong element
in congress which, during the past
session, remained silent, which actu-
ally favors scrapping the magnif-
cent plants SO capable of benefiting
the entire country. This element is
anti Southern and is a minority ele-
ment.
There are three plans before con-
grCSs. The one is that of Henry
Ford, the manufacturer of Detroit
He offers to buy the nitrate plants,
Waco quarry and the Gorgas steam
plant, claimed by the Alabama Power
company, and the water power to be
dcy clopcd after the construction by
the government of two dams for
$5,OOO,000 and rental approximate
ing per cent of the cost of con-
Structing the dams.
This Offer has the support of prac-
tically all members of congress who
hail from Southern states. 1t is sup
ported by certain farm organizations
which maintain headquarters in
Washington. 1t is sustained by An
able and ever alert propaganda. At
the same time it has its opponents,
many of whom are very powerful in
congress and in the cabinet.
The second plan is government
ownership proposition advocated by
Senator Norris of Nebraska, chair
man of the senate committee on ag-
riculture. Under this plan the gov
ernmept would complete the two dams
and lease them, together with the
nitrate plants. The third plan is
sponsored by Representative Hull Of
iowa, member Of the. house commit
tee on military affairs. Under this
scheme, the government would dis
solve its partnership with the Ala
bama Power company by selling Cor
gas to that company for S3,000,O00;
would complete the two dams and
lease the power TO be generated, and
would lease at 81 per annum the two
nitrate plants with the understanding
that they were to be used in the man.
pfacturc of fertilizer to be reailed at
profit not exceeding s per cent.
The adjournment of the last scs-
sion without action on the Ford offer
came as a great surprise to the
stratcgistS in the employ of Mr.. Ford.
Inasmuch as the farmers through
their representatives in Washington
insisted on the Ford offer, they did
not think that Southern and Western
members would leave WASHINGTON to
participate in elections before acting
in accordance with the wishes of the
farmers.
Some time ago they were so sure
of thtir ground-thcsc strategists in
the service of Ford--that they re-
fused to accept, for immediate use.
an appropriation of $7,50,0O0 for the
completion Of Wilson dam. They Sc
cured the postponement of the cXpen-
diture Of that sum of money because
of their earnest belief that before
October they could force action on
the Ford offer, itself.