The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-07
NORRIS DECLARES J. 5. SHOULD HOLD
 TITLE ID PLANTS
Thinks Congress Will Author ize Completion of Dam, But Will Not Act
 on Proposals
By Associated Press

Washington, May 6.-Conciusfons reached after more than months investigation of private proposals for development of the nitrate and power projects initiated by the government at Muscle Shoals, were announced to- night by Chairman Norris of the Sen- ate agriculture committee, in a state- ment to the Associated Press.
 After asserting his firm conv1c-
 ton that the government should
 retain title to the properties
 within itself for all time, the
 senator said Congress, in his
 judgment. would not act at this
 proposals for Muscle Shoals. and
 nII that could be expected before
 adjournment would bo the au-
 thortzation to continue work on
 the Wilson dam under an appro-
 prfation of sz,5OO.0oo>
 It was his intention. Senator Norris said, to offer an amendment to the army appropriation bill when 1t was up for passage by the Senate. which would provide funds for continuing work on the Wilson dam by army engineers during the fiscal year beginning July 1.
 Belief was expressed that the Sem ate would accept the amendment, but would decline. because of it's congest- ed legislative calendar and the anx- iety of members to return home for the fall campaign. to take up for &C., ceptanee any of the offers pending in tha agriculture committee.
 should Retain Title
 am firmly convinced" the senator said In the statement. that the gov ernment ought to retain title to all the property at Muscle Shoals in itself In order to permit the people to get the full benefit of improvements science may develop in the hxation of nitratss from the air. Il ought not to bind unborn generations by accepting contract made under ex- isting conditions of rapid changes in the art particularly one which would extend a lease over the proper rites for LOO years-"
 Future generations should hays something to say about the control of the natural resources of the coun- try" the statement continued, adding that "it seems. therefore, that the bill proposing a government corporation for operation and development of the hT. l,r .~tx. tfs.. legislation, ought to be enacted; something along that line is the solu- tion."
 Il am impressed with the fact that we are asked to make a contract binding upon future generations when we do not know the conditions that will surround the people during its life," add Senator Norris. And that applied particularly to Henry Fords proposal because 1t continues for 100 years.
 Improvements Expected
 Improvements undoubtedly will be made in the art of extracting nitrates from the air." continued the senator, "and 1t Is not unreasonable to as sume that within a few years. whom these now processes are developed, that tho methods used at Muscle Snoab now VIII Dc entirofy opsolete-
 Tt may easily be that power will not be SO important then in the sx- traction of nitrates and become only an incident to the production of that commodity. Great power would bs freed, In that event, and the ieasee would be at liberty. according to tho proposals we have received. to do with 1t as he pleases.
 Thus a situation would be brought about whereby the people would lose title to valuable resource which was theirs by right of heredfty. and a corporation would bs tho benen- ciary
 None of the bidders binds himself to extract nitrogen by the methods used at present, if more economical methods can be used. None of the bidders will live much beyond 1E years, and each proposes that tho con- tract be carried to it's completion by q corporation.
 Whatever confidence ws now havo in the bidders. and that applies again to Mir. Ford. should not influence uo entering into prolonged lease with them."