The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-20
Adherents of Ford Bid Jubi-
 Iant as Opposing Leaders Are Whipped Into Agreement to Act Through Fear of Farm Influence in Next Session
NOTABLE COMMISSIONS" MADE BY G. 0. p. FORCES
House Approves Big Appro-
 priation For Completion of Wilson Dam-- Developments Are Surprise to Alabama Delegation in Lower Body
WASHINGTON BUREAU
 THE AGE-HERALD Washington, D. C., Jan. 10

The responsible republican mem- bers of the House this afternoon, some with solemnity, some with en- thusiasm and some begrudgingly, in effect promised a vote on the Henry Ford offer for Muscle Shoals before adjournment March 1.
 The majority leader, Representa- tive Mondell of Wyoming, an op- ponent of the Ford offer, agreed that the vote should be taken, al- though he declared that everyone knows the Senate would not act, and thus render null whatever action the House might have taken.
 He thought, he declared, that the time of the Hoase should be occu- pied with legislation which stood chance of receiving final action.
 seckS Action.
 Though Representative stafford ot Wisconsin agreed with MT. MondeIl that the House could with more in- telligence proceed to other mastpfs even he did not express rapositior to disposing of the Muscle shoals situation in so far as the House could do so
 The Henry Ford advocates showed their surprise and delight on their faces What they had expected to win only after a bitter battle was given them gratuitously. When one after another of the more important members of the House trooped for ward with expressions admitting the importance of Muscle Shoals and the necessity that all questions regard ing it's disposition be permanently settled, the Alabama delegation was so moved that it began to fear the Greeks bearing gifts.
 "COnfessi0ns" Made.
 The most interesting confessions" were made by Representative Gra- ham of Illinois, who, at the head of an investigating committee, reported for whatever effect it might have on the national campaign of 1920, verdict that Muscle Shoals should be immediately scrapped and Repre- sentative Longworth of Ohio. who, from time immemoral, had damned Muscle Shoals. They both confessed that they had been in error. and in effect apologized for their past conduct.
 In this connection. it was freely said that Graham and Longworth, both candidates for the majority leadership, were, in addition to ex- pressing their earnest convictions. making an indirect appeal for the votes of the farmer" element of the House.
 Democrats Pleased.
 Finally Representative Garrett of Tennessee, minority leader declared the satisfaction of democrats that the republicans had finally been aroused to the national importance of Muscle Shoals, which. only two years ago, they declared should be cast upon the junk heap
 The Alabama delegation welcomes the prospect of vote on the Ford offer. They do not have great hope that, even if the House action is fa- vorable, the Senate will act at all.
 They feel, however that position taken by the House will shape the destiny of the shoals for the future.
 It is apparent that the action of the House will be preceded by a de- bate of intense bitterness. When, in the discussion today of the proposed completion of Wilson Dam, refer ences to Henry Ford crept in, oppo- nents ana protasOnlStS were, f1gura- lively speaking, at each others throats. Representative Kearns of Ohio and Fields of Kentucky ex- changed barhed passages, and Rep resentative Parker of New fJersey entered upon an elaborate att ack of the Ford offer.
 The situation apparently hinges on the attitude ot Representative Me Kenzie of Illinois and his followers who would give Ford Muscle Shoals if he would not insist on the Gorgas steam plant. owned in part by the Alabama Power company. It is esti- mated that McKenzie's forces hold the balance of power between the "straig ght-out" Ford men and their opponents.
 Representative Almcn closed the debate today by stressing the fact that the appropriation for the com pletion of the dam would have no ef- feet on the Ford offer. There was no oppe sition to the appropriation and a completed project of great mag rftude is visualized at last