Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-09
HOUSE MILITARY BODY
PROBES FORD's OFFER
Weeks Doubts That Fertilizer
Can BE Made Cheaply at
Muscle Shoals.
SECRETARY FInsp WITNESS
Advocates Reduction In Time Clause
From 100 Years to 30, In Event
Congress Decides TO Accept Of
i fer. -.--
tBy Associated Prcss.J

INK tBy Associated PrcssJ
WASHINGTON. Feb. s.-Tho OPEN
Ing sessions OF the House Military
INSTRUMENTATION OF the Ford
contract offer for purchase and lease
or the governments properties Mt
Muscle Shoaly, Ala, revolved today
principally about the clauses rcsa-
ton to manufacture of fertilizers for
the nations agricultural needs.
Secretary Weeks. OF the War Do
partment. appearing as tho FIRST witt
ness, repeatedly declared his doubt
as to whether fertilizers could be
manufactured cheapiy at Muscle
Shoals and expressed his belief that
amendments to safegur<5 better the
governments interests in the $780,
100000 investment already made
should be incorporated In the offer
as 1t was drafted.
Would Cut T1me Limit.
To alter existing government poll
, Giles regarding the lease OF real es-
tatc or other properties and permit a
1oo-ycar lease of tho water power.
machinery and DANG in Alabama the
secretary asserted repeatedly. would
. be an unwise act and should no, be
permitted. He advocated a rcduc-
ton In tho time clause from 100
years to fifty. In the event Congress
shouid decide to accept tho offer.
Another ofteh reiterated suggestion
involving change In present Ian
guage of tho offer which the secrc-
tary pointed out would require n
nxed capitalization for the operating
company Mr.. Ford is to create. The
secretary said no provision existed
in the offer guaranteeing capital
ration which the government might
recover. In whole or In part, in the
event tho contract was violated. A
provision OF some sort was advisable,
he said. which would permit the gov
eminent to impose through legal
means penalty or forfeit should
terms of the OFFER.
Provide for Future.
Anything might happen in the
next 100 years" he said. while I
have not the slightest doubt az to
the eolvency OF Mr.. Ford. nor of his
Intentions TO execute the agreement
In good faith. neither he nor will
be here during tho life OF the con-
tract. In considering this question
we are providing for the future gem
crntions."
Regarding tho manufacture Of
fertilizers and their cheap delivery TO
the farmers OF the co,,atry. Mr..
Weeks said there Aas 70, reason
nble certainty In his mind that that
was possible.
III thought that development Of
the project by MFR. Ford would effect
material reduction In the cost OF
fertilizer he said. "I would vote for
his proposition. 81 were In Congress.
: But, am SO in doubt as 10 that I
: shou!d. -hesttete TO give any advice
unless assured or guarantee"
Asked what the annual consump.
ZION OF fertilizer was. the Secretary
said II unprecedented 100000 tons
, and tho Muscle Shoals plants could
only produce at u maximum OF 400. ono
tons. That amount. he asserted,
would not. In his opinion, affect
the existing market
me war Secretary previously had
told the committee that Mr.. Ford
hao declined to guarantee fertilizer
productions over given number OF
years and had informed him In con.
Versntions that he would not manu-.
iacturc the commodity at n loss.
Would Finish Project.
Although pressed repeatedly by
several committee members tho Sec
rotary did not express an opinion MS
:" "Hether the oner should be nc
cepted or rejected by Congress. At
one point lie was asked whether the
properties should be saivaged or Mr..
Fords oner accepted. but he replied
only that the government would not
salvage the project in any event and
repeated his Intention to complete
: the Wilson Dam IL the ofrer was re-
jected. He said tho dam would be
completed without taking dollar
from the Treasury by bond issue
based on commercial value OF the
Project as water power develop
ment.
Chairman Kahn announced that he
had telegraphed Mr.. Ford twice re-
questing him to come personally be-
fore the committee or send repre-
sentatiyes to answer questions for
him. In tho second message. Mr..
Kahn said, he requested the Detroit
manufactures to appear between the
Sth ana nth. but said later
that next Monday would be satis-
factory,
Some concern was evident on the
part OF committee members as ~
whether the offer would be with
drawn from their body and re-refcr-
red by the House to tho Agricultural
committed. An open fight on the
floor was expected either tomorrow
or Friday. 1t was said. Meanwhile.
the military committeeman prepared
to defend their Jurisdiction I'm the
case.
Chairman Kahn planned to inter-
rogate tomorrow Major General Will
liams. chief of ordnance; Major-Cen-
: eral Beach, chief of engineers. and
Soloh% Hull. acting Judge Advocate
General The Secretary concluded bis
testimony today.