Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-06-10
HOUSE RECEIVES
THREE REPORTS
ON SHOALS PLAN
Wright join
ed in Minority Opinion by
Michigan Republican and
Democrats

Democrats
WASHINGTON, June 9.-Three
separate reports setting forth rec
concentrations for action by con
gress with respect to private devel
opment of the governments $1O6,
100000 power and nitrate projects
at Muscle Shoals, Alabama, were
made to the house today by mem
bers of the military committee. The
task of making a final decision is
admitted in each Of the reports to
be the duty of the full membership
of the house at an early date, but
recommendation to that end, sub.
nitted after four months Of continu.
GUS consideration by the committee
differ in important respects as they
are presented in the documents.
Acting Chairman Mckenzie, Of IL
linois. who drafted the majority re-
port, declares at the outset Of that
document that the Ford proposal
was the only one found worthy OF
serious consideration" and asks ac-
ceptance by the house, provided,
however, that the Gorgas steam
plant is not included among the
projects to be disposed of at Muscle
Shoals.
Concurrence in the majority re-
port, except for the references made
with respect to the Gorgas plant, is
voiced in one of the minority opin-
ions, presented by Representative
Wright, Democrat, of Georgia, and
supported by Representative James,
Republican, Michigan, and the re.
manning Democratic members. They
ask full compliance by. the house
with all provisions of the Ford pro-
posal, including the Gorgas prop
erty. and point out the belief that
if congress eliminates the Gorgas
unit, it would defeat the Ford offer.
Action Means Economy
In conclusion, the majority report
says, faction by congress is impera-
tive and immediate action means
economy if such action provides for
such disposition as will insure an
income for the government and not
a continuous outlay"
1.-TWO courses are open," it adds,
zone government ownership and op-
Grafton which in view of the charac-
ter of the project would in the judg-
ment of the majority Of the COM
mittee, mean not only failure from
the standpoint Of income but disaster
to the hopes of the farmers and other
users of commercial fertilizers. To
have the government undertake and
engage in the manufacture of fertil.
izer ingredients, with political super
intendents, foremen and straw
bosses, is unthinkable, and to under.
take such a scheme would be un-
speakable folly.
1.-THE alternative course is to sell
the tangible property to private in
dividua1s or to a corporation on con
dit;ons prescribed by congress, lease
the power at fair rental and per
NIT individual American initiative
and ingenuity to have an opportunity
at this place, where the greatest wa
ter power in our country can be de
veloped, requiring a preservation Of
the element of national defense an6
at the same time giving an oppor
tunity for relief, if such there car
be, to not only the southland, but
our entire country in the way Of
commercial fertilizer and reasonable
prices"
Third Report
In the third report, submitted by
Representative Parker, Republican
New Jersey, and signed by Represen
tative Frelingham, Republican, Mas
sachusetts, the opinion is adverse tt
the acceptance of Mr.. Ford's offel
unless it is modified in other sec
lions than that dealing with Cor
gas. In the event Mr.. Ford de
clines to agree to the modification
proposed, the signers would hav'
the secretary of war lease the dam!
AMI nitrate plants ION such term!
as will secure the completion of tn,
DAMS" and would authorize him t.
''settle the fair value of the Cor
gas plant and convey the same tt
the Alabama Power company"
After the presentation of docu
ments supplied the committee during
it's deliberations before Secretar!
Weeks and other war department
officers, Mr.. Mckenzie in the major
ity report, says in part:
"a glance at the figures set fortl
will disclose the fact that III
to date the government has expend
ed upon this colossal undertaking
something over $106,O00,00O, approx
imately 100000 of which was ex
pended upon the Gogas steam plan
and transmission line"
He then asks what congress car
do to solve the problem, develop thu
projects for the national good ant
stop the tremendous losses to thu
government caused by idleness ant
deterioration of the properties. add
ing that the courses open to con
greSs are:
1. Authorize the necessary appro
priations for the completion of the
dam or dams and other facilities nee
essary to enable the operation O.