The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-08

Muscle Shoals. Together with his colleagues he appealed to Congress on two grounds, the necessity of opening the Tennessee river to navi- gation for the development of nat ural resources and unlimited com merce, and the development of an in- superable waterpower. Congress knew the value of w,aterpower, but feared that the dream of the Ala bama members was entirely too TO- seate, almost impossible of realiza- ton. Finally, however, 1t author ized the survey The board of gov ernment engineers was directed ito consider and report on combined inn provement of the Tennessee river at Muscle Shoals for navigation and waterpower development"
 Years alapsed. The people of the Tennessee valley were torn by con flicting emotions. They knew they had the goods" They realized, how ever, that the proposed undertaking would cost many millions of dollars, and naturally feared lest the engi- neerS, without whose approval noth- ing could be done by Congress, even if Congress were willing (which it was noD, would conclude that, while the project was worthy, it was not sufficiently worthy to warrant the government in making the necessary expenditure.
 Urges Its Adoption.
 Finally the engineers reported. The cost of improvement at Muscle Shoals, properly chargeab4e to naVi- gation and to be borne by the gov ernment, was estimated at $S,575, 900. The engineers took the following of ficial view of the situation:
 "The existing comm cree of the section, as well as the increase which might reasonably be expected to result of the power development. is insufficient to justify so great an navigation. But, in determining the worthiness of the proposition there are other criteria that should be considered.
 It is known that the section of
 the United States lying within a Shoals reach of the Tennessee, is in state of retarded development. It is endowed with mineral, forest ana agricultural resources which, when fully exploited, will add greatly to the general prosperity. It is the be- lief and expectation of those inter- ested in this project that the develop ment and utilization of this power now wasting in the Tennessee river will cause the establishment of manufacturing industries which will utilize the raw materials found in the I'm eulale NlClHllys
 For example, with electric power provided at low cost metallurgical processes can be employed in the re- auction of ore deposits of the re- zion otherwise unavailable for use Further, that the fertilizer needed for the profitable production of cot ton, now brought from great dis tances, can be made at low costs in the close neighborhood of the fAlds in which 1t is to be used.
 The board, therefore, reports that In it's opinion. 1t is advisable for the United States to adopt the project" Thrilling Moment.
 It was a thrilling moment for the people of the Tennessee valley, for the entire state of Alabama, the south, as a matter of fact. Citizens felt themselves possessed of a golden bauble Midas dreams were indulged without moderation. But, it was soon demonstrated that 1t was a diff flcult matter for Alabama leaders to make Congress act on the engi- neers report, and authorize the necessary appropriation.
 There is no question but that the Alabama Power company, which had developments on the Coosa river, was fin on" the undertaking. It was gen. erally understood that In the event of the complete development of the river the power company, on any terms suggested by tho government, would come in possession of Muscle Shoals power. Opponents in Con gress of legislation carrying the necessary appropriation were anil mated by at least three reasons. They did not see the wisdom of the