The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-24
NORRIS NEW SHOALS MOVE: TAXES I BREATH
Proposed Amendment Provid. ing $2,000,00O for Ex- perimentS in Nitrates
 Leaves Advocates of
 Ford'S Offer Silent
WASHINGTON BUREAU l
 THE AGE-HERALD ! Washington. ID. C. Jan. 23

The amendment which Senator George w. Norris of Nebraska in- tends to attach if possible to the army appropriations bill, devoting $2,000,000 for experimentation at Nitrate Plant No l, Muscle Shoals, in extracting nitrogen from the air for explosives and fertilizers has left advocates of the Henry Ford of fer apparently without word to say.
 Senator Heflin made no state ment today indicating whether he would support or oppose the amend ment. Senator Underwood con fined to his home with a cold, could not be questioned. Representative Almon, who represents the Muscle Shoals district, frankly declared that he had had insufficient time in which to study the proposed amend ment, and "could not make def mite statement"
 senator Norris' Position
 Senator Norris takes the position that as it is still matter of con lecture whether at Muscle Shoals fer tilizer and explosives can be manu- factured in satisfactory quantities at reasonable cost, the government should not lose further time in await ing the final disposition of its prop ertS o8 the Tef1nessee riNert but, on the contrary, should put its scientists to work in experimenting with all known theories and processes. He makes the point that unless there is an extraordinary session there will be no opportunity for Congress to act prior to next fall.
 While the advocates of the Ford offer have made no statement. it is generally known that perhaps a ma jority of them desire the defeat of the Norris amendment. They feel that the Nebraska senator, even if animated by good purposes, would gum up the cards,' and thus make more improbable the eventual ac- ceptance of the Ford proposition. They are moved. it is understood, by
 
 inspired them to postpone the avail ability of an appropriation for Will son Dam from last July to last Oc- tober, and which caused them to view recent additional appropriations for the same purpose without enthusi- asm At the same time, there is an element of the pro- Ford forces which feel that it would be unwise to pre- vent the government doing what it desires, of it's own volition, for the development of Muscle Shoals.
 senator HarrisOn's Advice.
 Senator Pat Harrison of Mississippi said tonight:
 q am as ardent in my support of the Ford offer as any other man. At the same time. we should go slowly in cutting off our noses to spite our faces. If we cant get the Ford offer we want the next best thing. l am not one of those who seemingly pre- fer a complete abandonment of Muscle Shoals unless the Ford offer be accepted.
 q don't know what l will do re- garding the Norris amendment. off hand. however. l can't see how it would seriously hurt any situation were the government to expend at Muscle Shoals $2,000, 900 in experi- menting with the atmospheric nitro gen"
 It is anticipated by senators that it Senator Underwood. regarded as the spokesman for Muscle Shoals Ir the Senate. ssould conclude to fight the Norris amendment, 1t would be beaten Opposition. it is admitted, would lead to a spirited debate in which all offers would be discussed and sharp personalities exchanged.
 The amendment was proposed yes terday afternoon but no correspond ent or news agency knew the fact until publication today of the Con gresslonal Record. It is understoou however, that Senator Norris made no attempt to conceal his action <,