The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-20

lar of the principal The people of
the country have been led TO believe
that the Ford offer means a reduced
price for electricity to- the consumer.
1t means nothing of the kind. He hers
not agreed to furnish a single kflo-
turing concern except his own.
when we bring together the re-
suits that must follow from these two
divisions OF the Ford offer, the mind
is dazed at the unreasonableness of
the proposition, at the enormity of
the gift With the expenditure of no
money there is TO be turned over to a
corporation property of the value of
more than $1o0.oO0,0o and the right
and privilege to extort unjust profits
from the citizens of this country with
out limit.
There, is nothing in the history of
the world with which this can be
compared. Civilization is without a
precedent. If the Ford offer is ac-
cepted. then the fight for conservation
that has been waged by public spirited
and patriotic men and women all over
the country is not only lost and given
away, but those who are unwillingly
compelled to make the gift are to be
taxed one hundred years to make the
gift more profitable. 1t is the great
est gift ever bestowed upon mortal
man since salvation was made free to
the human race
Other features of the Ford propos-
dAo are VIGOROUSLY dIIackSQ. That pro-
posing the hundred year lease of the
water-power projects, the report as
serts, would make the federal water
power act, in effect, "a scrap of
paper
Says "Why Not Deed It?'''
There is very little. if any, differ
ence," the document declares, be
tween giving a deed outright to this
property and giving a lease for one
hundred years" In the event the 100
year lease should be given Mr.. Ford,
the report says. it is practically GER
tain that every corporation that has
made a lease under the water power
act viii be clamoring at the doors of
congress for modification of their
leases and the extension of the time
from SO to 100 years. If we
make 100 years lease to Mr.. Ford's
corporation, are we not in honor
bound to make a 100-year lease to Mr..
Rockefeller's corporation ?"
The document asserts that Mr.. Ford
is not claiming things claimed in his
behalf by many of those who are
spreading the wonderful propaganda
over the country demanding that con-
gress shall accept his offer.''
If there were no other reason for
rejecting this offer" the document
adds, 1T ought to be rejected for this
one provision alone, and If it is ac-
cepted with this provision in it, then
congress ought to- lay down the bars
and permit any organization organized
by any other person to have the same
privilege and the same right of a lease
for 100 years of complete. and unreg-
ulated control of power developed
from our navigable streams
1t is estimated that a total amount
paid by the Ford corporation by
amortization during the 1Oo-year
period would be only $4,36s,39S, and
the rate OF interest paid by Mr.. Ford
on the money provided by the treas
ury is shown to be as per cent
rather than 4 per cent.
The statement is made that the gov
eminent cannot afford 70 enter into
the loaning business at the expense
of the taxpayers and for the enrich
ment Of great corporation that I'M
beyond the regulation of either fed
eraI or state authority"
Hits Ford or Nothing Plan.
Regarding Senator Norris bill pro-
posing government development and
operation for the Muscle Shoals pro-
jects. the report contains a reference
to the attitude of senator's who it
turn this property over to Mr.. Ford
or absolutely prevent its development
by anyone" Seven members of the
a agricultural committee who voted for
the favorable report of the Ford offer
and opposed a favorable report on the
Norris bill are mentioned in this con-
nection.
with them" the report says, cit
seems to be Ford or nothing. When
we take into consideration the won-
derful development that it provided in
s 3420, (The Norris Bid, particularly
for the south, it is difficult to under
stand how senator's from that section
can assume sub an attitude.
In this bill there is offered to the