The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-23
MUSCLE SHOALS.

Shoals proposal to the federal gov
eminent last July. NO action has
been taken ON the matter, nor has
any attempt been made to dispose of
the property in any other way. In its
present condition the Muscle Shoals
plant not only is useless, but it is a
constant source of expense.
The annual cost of taking care of
the plant at this time is $747,121, to
| say nothing. of the money which
would be coming into the federal
treasury under the Ford contract. In
| justice to the taxpayers and to Mr..
Ford congress should speedily make
some disposition of the Muscle Shoals
matter
The Muscle Shoals dam and nitrate
plants, which the government began
to build early in 1918, as a war meas
ure and on which work was stopped
after the signing of the armistice, has
been widely discussed by the people
/ of the United States since the close of
the World War.
At the time the war ended, the gov
eminent had expended over one hun
bred million dollars upon this project.
When the e4ort was made during the
early part of last year to dispose of
4 the different useless plants that had
been started or constructed for war
purposes, bids were solicited from diff
ferent corporations and individuals
for the Muscle Shoals plants and
among those to whom the request for
a bid was sent was Henry Ford.
Mr.. Ford submitted a bid which
was delivered to the secretary of war
July IA, 1921. After that time two
other bids were submitted, but it is
/ admitted by the government officials
that Mr.. Fords offer is the best one
that has been received, and in fact
the only one worthy of consideration.
/ The secretary of war on February
! 2. 1922, sent Mr.. Ford's offer to con-
gress, and the decision is now up to
/ the members of the senate and the
; house. as ito What action shall be
taken by them.
Since sending Mr.. Ford's offer to
! congress, Secretary Weeks has stated
bids which have been made for the
property, but in view of the fact that
both of the bidders in competition
With Mr.. Ford were allowed to send
in their bids Long after the full details
| of his Offer had been widely pub
lished in the newspapers of the coun-
/ try, the fair-minded, impartial mem
] bers of congress are not likely to give
/ them any consideration, as to do so
would be contrary to the well estab-
lished rules of fair, honorable and
ethical methods of business proceed
ure..
A group of powerful interests is en-
deavoring to prevent the acceptance
of Mr.. Ford's proposal. The country
is being deluged with propaganda de-
signpd to prevent favorable action by
! congress.
The tendency of the American peo-
pie, especially in their organized ca
paeity to take sides on any question
that arises, is seen in the fact that
various bodies of persons have been
passing resolutions calling for accept
ance of Ford's proposal by the gov
eminent, The fact is. perhaps, that
know nothing of the merits of the
case but some good talker makes a
speech and action is taken in accord
ance Herewith.
Because Mr.. Ford has demonstrat-
! ed himself to be genius in the mans
ufacture of a cheap automobile and
has also displayed an unprecedented
skill and cleverness in getting free
advertising there are many who would
accord him all the abilities of magi-
clan almost infallible in his powers.
The Ford proposal calls for one
| hundred year lease of the Muscle
! Shoals water power and nitrate plant.
The contract as made will not, there
fore, be made with Mr.. Ford but with
Ford corporation, for there is no
Likelihood that Henry Ford will live
and continue active thru many years
of the period covered by the proposed
/ contract. The fulfillment of the
agreement will be left to others than
the man who is now at the head OF
the concern.
This being true, Secretary Weeks
and members of congress may be ex-
cused for proceeding cautiously rath-
er than acting hastily in accordance
/ with resolutions adopted by people
! with knowledge only of the ultimate
ends to be accomplished and with
little If any knowledge of the details
of the proposition Mr.. Ford has made,
but any unnecessary delay will be ex-
pensive to the country, as already has
/ been pointed out.
! Farmers lost three and one-half
| hii1s.. anl1n,.n In 1n01 .s.n.A.. a. I.