The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-26
MEMBERS ID SEE FOR THEMSELVES
 WARTIME PROJECT
Will Refrain From Visiting Memphis, Atlanta and Other Cities From Which h.
 Vitations Come
By Assoclnied prens


 Washington, March 25.-More than score of members of the Sen ate agriculture and House military committees left here tonight for a personal inspection of the govern ment's power and nitrate projects at Muscle Shoals and Gorgas, Ala. Pending their return, it was an- nounced, the investigations of the private offers for lease, purchase, completion and operation of the properties will be suspended by the House committee.
 The Senate portion of the deiega- ton was headed by Chairman Norris, of tho afgricultura committee. to which the offers of Henry Ford, the Alabama Power company and Fred erick ID. Engstrum of Wilmington. N, c. have been referred by the Senate for study and report. The House members had as their leader Repre- sentative Hull. of Iowa, senior ma jority member of the military com mittee. Chairman Kahn remained behind. as did II other committee members
 No Side Trips
 Senator Norris said the delezatton would confine itself to 6 thorough study of the projects from a physical standpoint and decided before tts de- parture to refrain from side trips to other places than Gorgas and Mus Gle Shoals. The House members made similar decision today In executive session and like the Senate commit tee voted down suggestions that the delegation visit Memphis Chatta- nooga, Atlanta and other cities which had extended invitations for the con gressmen to visit them during their trip.
 Both the agriculture and military committees will begin active consid- eration of the Muscle Shoals aues- ton as soon as their members return from Alabama. Chairman Norris said the pending offers would be taken up by the Senate committee ana hear lngs held on them collectively. He also announced that. unless he alter 1 Cd his decision while in Alabama, he tfthA Aiftt %fA ttfet th nAtf tU Af14 EEuAfG upon his return proposing a govern ment-owned and controlled corpora i tion to take over the question Of fal- ture development of the shoals prop critics.
 Thinks He Has Way
 The only danger to such q propo- sition," Senator Norris added, would be to keep the corporation out Of politics. I think I know a way by which that can be done and will pro- pose it to the Senate when I return"
 The Nebraska senator also suggest ed that the acceptance of any one of the offers already submitted would cause trouble which could be escaped by the corporate creation and operate to the best interests of the govern ment by retaining the properties in complete governmental possession. eliminating the necessity of leasing them for 100 years as Mir. Ford pro josed. or for 50 years to the Alabama Power company. or MT. Engstrum
 Chairman Kahn told the House vis- itors before they departed tonight that he planned to resume committee work on the offers as soon as they returned. It was his intention, he said. to conclude public hearings about April 1 and begin executive ses- sions for the preparation of a report to the House within tho shortest pos sible time thereafter.
 Sees Trouble Ahead
 There is plenty of trouble ahead.- Mir. Kahn said. +When the offers are discussed by the full membership of the House, representing the inter- ests of every locality in the country. divergencies of opinion as to what disposition should be made of Muscle Shoals to give the nation as a whole the greatest benefit of the properties will. in my opinion, develop an al- most impossible situation"
 The proposal of Mr. Kahn to create a Muscle Shoals commission. com prising representatives of the treas ury, agriculture and war departments. empowered to sell, lease or dispose of Muscle Shoals as it's members be- lieved best suited to- the national in- terests. he said would be formally presented to the committee when 1t begins executive consideration of the House report.
 "The more think of the commits sion," MT. Kahn said, the better l believe 1t will sole the QyssAaG19 which now confront Congress.S