The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
NJ PROMISE MADE
 REGARDING SHOALS
Automobile Manufacturer Was Permitted To Know
 Contents Of MeSsaqe
WASHINGTON BUREAU !
 THE AGE-HERALD ' WashiuRtOn. ID. q nec 2o |

~SNcN eao lO NhO dQNlSdplllty Ol dn- swering the public insinuation of Senator Hiram Johnson that the sup port rendered the President by Hen ry Ford was contingent on the de- livery to him of Muscle Shoals.
 If the President does make statement it will be one of simple denial. From sources that are al most official, 1t is learned that the President made no promises respect Ing the delivery of Muscle Shoals, although 1t is intimated that he did express sympathy for the Ford plan of developing those properties and putting them to work for the farmers of the country. It is said to be true, also, that the President per mitted Ford to know what would be contained in his message to Congress in so far as 1t involved Muscle Shoals.
 At that conference, Ford, 1t is re- ported, did promise to declare for the President at moment regarded by him psychological. It is under stood. too, that he expressed the hope that his son. Edsel, would be made member of Mich. san's dele gation to the republican convention. Madden's Bill Status.
 It is likewise true that shortly after the conference Representative . -hduuen or lIllHOlSp strong supporter of the President, introduced his bill providing for the construction of an auxiliary steam plant in the coal fields of Alabama in lieus of the sGorgas steam plant, demanded by Ford in his offer, and sold by the government to the Alabama Power company.
 If the President has taken posi- tion in support of the Madden bill other than merely to commend it in- directly, that fact Is unknown In Washington. It cannot be learned from members of the House that the President has urged his friends to support it and put it through. That he would have done so had he made trade with Ford, as Johnson alleges, would seem certain.
 An investigation as thorough as can be made during recess of Con- gress, indicates that the military committee may decline to report the Madden bill, although it is suggest ed that the Mckenzie bill selling Muscle Shoals. without reference to an auxiliary steam plant, will be re- turned to the House during the month of January with favorable report.
 Auxiliary Plant Provision.
 It is understood that the military committee prefers to give the House an opportunity to amend the Me- kenzie bill so that 1t would caruy provision for an auxiliary steam plant, as contemplated in the Mad den bill, rather than spend many ing the merits of the Madden bill As the fight in any event would come to the floor, Ford supporters, it is indicated, would not object to the alleged plan of the committee.
 The feel, it is said, that they have rufficiant ctreucth to amend the Mckenzie bill so that it will carry provision for a steam plant and thus be satisfactory to Ford. At any rate, all that they have asked for Is an opportunity. If they have their opportunity and lose. they will then endeavor to persuade Ford to- accept the provisions of the Mckenzie bill. It is understood that the $5,000,000 originally offered by Ford would be reduced by more than $3,000,00 paid by the Alabama Power company for Gorgas should he be willing to ac- cept Muscle Shoals without steam plant in the coal fields .A
 It is suggested in this connection that if nothing more satisfactory than the Mckenzie bill can possibly cluded from constructing a steam plant on his own initiative.
 O o O
 Danger In Senate.
 Areview of the situation indicates that the Ford proposition is very strong in the House despite the be- lief that some republicans, posing as it's friends, are not absolutely sincere. It is regarded as more than possible that the Madden bill may be put through the House.
 As the struggle has been initiated In the House, little attention has been given the Senate, and it is ob- vious that there is more danger to the Ford offer in the Senate than in the House. Senator Norris, progressive republican, bitterly op- poses it. and he has strong support. He declares that he will bring everything possible against the For1 offer, including Senate rules which give an obstructing Senator oppor- tunity to defeat measures through long delay.
 Forps proposal, as It is considered by Congress, is in better shape thal ever before. But it is obvious to his every supporter that the fight is not yet won. There will be another of fer. it is reliably reported and gen orally understood, the effect of which cannot be positively foretold. The General Electric company, including the Alabama Power company, the fertilizer and aluminium trusts, in which latter Secretary Mellon has at least heart interest may be de- pended upon to muddy the waters to the extent of their ability.
 Coolidge, if he had traded with Ford would be prepared to use the "big stick" it is believed. His in- activity would have tendency to re- pute the allegations of the Caltfor- mia senator
 O O O
 Shoot Picks Coolidge.
 Senator Reed Shoot and other adherents of Calvin Coolidge in his capacity of candidate have informed the President that in spite oe all that Senator Hiram Johnson can do be- tween now and June, he will be nominated on the first ballot.
 While democrats profess to be un- concerned in the prospective fortune of any republican, they do point out shoals on which the Coolidge bark will be bumped, if not wrecked.
 They declare it moSe than prob able that Coolidge will have to go to the convention with the burden of having vetoed bill reducing the taxes of the poor people, and of hay ing vetoed a bill giving a bonus to the, soldiers who fought the war against Germany.
 If MT. Coolidge could put through his Legislative program without