The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-02

lO IAahC COAAlCo1i0h1t
 committee found the properties that it has already concluded that no of- fer which bends is in anywise worthy from the viewpoint Of values.
 Senator Norris fig more than ever inclined to force through bill ere atinE a corporation of which the gov ernment will retain all the stock for the operation of Muscle Shoals plants, and Chairman Kahn of the House committee on military affairs Is more than ever determined to create q commission composed of high gov ernment officials for complete study of possibilities.
 II is a safe bet that neither com mittee will report either the bid of the Alabama Power4eompany or of Henry Fcrd as those2bids stand to- day On account of pressure. it Is a safe bet that the offer of the Alabama Power company, in any form, will not be reported by the House com mittee, Fords offer. if amended So as to exclude the steam plant of the government at Gorgas, on which the Alabama Power company has an op- ton, may be reported by the House committee.
 One BIE Concession
 But before that bid, even if re- ported in the House will be able to withstand House opposition--and ad- ministration opposition-and then pass through the Senate committee and the Senate, it must be further amended
 1t is indicated as result of inter views with members of both the House and Senate. thar Ford will have to furnish the money for the building of Wilson Dam and Dam No. 2. There is a sentiment in favor or the government furnishing that proportion of the money which would be required in tho generation of enough power to operate the nj trate plants, and the locks. and which might properly be charged to navi- gation; one-third tho total sum Is re- garded as a Just estimate.
 But there is apparently very little sentiment outside that excluded 10 supporting the idea of the govern ment furnishing money for the gen eration of power for the operation of Ford's private enterprises.
 Attitude of Ford q.
 On account of the existence of sucnY sentiment, the question, How fas will Ford go?" becomes doubly perti- nent.
 There are those in Congress who believe that an industrial captain and idealist possessed of perhaps the greatest fortune in the United States, will not be deterred in the fulfillment Of an ambition to build a new city in North Alabama, solve the proo- lem of unemployment. make fsrme CTS rich. md confer the greatest possible boon on humanity by the necessity of losing q steam plant worth only s4,o0o, 900, and investing possible s1Si0oo 0000 more Tn the construction of two dams.
 On the other hand, Ford, when ir- ritated by what he regarded as iil- Secretary Of War, when that off cial considered the manufacturer proposition, declared that he would "bs hanged if he wanted Muscle Shoals very badly, anyhow" If he is confronted by new difficulties. some members of Congress fear that he will withdraw from the field.
 The Norris Scheme \
 Out Of the tangle, the Norris4 scheme might make headway. The Norris scheme is the old scheme of the Woodrow Wilson administration. Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War. sent the so-called nitrate corporation bill to Congress. Senator Underwood put the bill through Ahe Senate. It died in the House.
 At that time the republicans d.d not see in 1t any particular virtue. At the present time, especially in the Senate. republicans hall fl as re- narkable solution of a difficult prob lem. Tn that regard, Senator Under wood said today;
 When we tried to put that cor rcration bill through the republi- cans talked of the evil of government ownership and operation of what should be public utilities. They espouse the same proposition. The Greek bear gifts. Their tactics to- day, 1t is possible, are those of cb- structionists. They would prefer to see the government control the op- eration of Muscle Shoals plant than Ford, and they do not particularly 1 care to see the government at the helm"
 The Silver Lining
 Senator Norris was not obviously enthusiastic when the Wilson admin istration measure was before tha Senate. In the present, however. he tn nlss it very excellent solution. | The government would do all tna i work. put up all thekmoney. fetaln ownership: il would %lease water i power to waterpower corporations. | and the nitrate plants 10 those de sirous of entering into the prodge- ton Of the cheap fertilizer which | Ford says can be produced in great abundance
 Senator Norros Is powerful mem her of the Senate. He is a repubh- ! can. chairman of the committee on forestry and agriculture. and an out standing member of the agrsrian ;. bloc. He may have success with his i measure. At any rate, he will be able, it is indicated, to delay pro- ceedings until after the congressional elections the coming fall.
 But Muscle Shoals will be fully de- yeloped and Wilson dam built. If | all offers fall. the Harding admins tratior promises to go ahead with l the work. There is the balm in 1