The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-22

| in the Muscle Shoals controversy. Knute Nelson (and he now Is dead) always a republican partisan, and never a supporter of any Muscle Shoals undertaking, voted with the column supporting Muscle Shoals and against the great bulk of his repub- lican colleagues. Never during the fight did he flicker although great pressure was brought to bear against him, and although the expression of his face indicated that he would have been happier had he been in line with his party.
 | Afterwards, the reason became public. He declared: "I promised John Bankhead that I would support Muscle Shoals. Had Iknown in what form the legislation was to be pre- sented l would not have promised" He kept his promise to the dead. How easily a smaller man might have ignored 1t and salved his con- science with some variety of balm the devil prepares for just such emergencies.
 And there was the case of Senator ]. Y. Sherman of Illinois. He was republican who had displayed great bitterness respecting Muscle Shoals. The project more than once had been subjected to his scathing sar- casm. But In that sensational fight. he supported Muscle Shoals. It was then made apparent the reason why Senator Underwood, previously, had voted against a bill providing for government supervision of the stock yards of Chicago. The Alabama Sem ator knew that Muscle Shoals was at stake and a single vote might save him. The Illinois Senator was bit terly opposed to the effort of the government to interfere with pri- vate business in Chicago. Dies By Default.
 The bill went to the House. For some reason never adequately ex- plained, Alabama members suffered 1t to dle by default. It was never brought to a vote. Something was said about the certainty of its de- feat and how that defeat would hurt any effort that might be made In the future. Something was said of higher strategy" of this and that. 1 The fact remained, however, that Muscle Shoals was permitted to die for the time being-without a sim gle voice being raised in its behalf. Ard thus the fight of Underwood In the Senate, for which the entire val ley thanked him, went for naught. But events may yet prove that all which then looked so blue was for the best.
 At this time. however, Muscle Shoals was as dead as Hector. There was nJ light ahead. There was no | hope ahead. President Wilson did not know what to dc. The great dam, | third completed, was gradually being destroyed by the rapid current. The cost of upkeep was burdensome a"d the subject of constant criticism | The nitrate plants, of many cob webbed walls, were in & slow pro- cess of deterioration.
 The valley which had hummed was silent The people il disappointment and near-panic, almost despaired.
 At the same time. there were cer- tain interests which kept their eyes fixed on the governments proper ties at Muscle Shoals. These inter- ests knew that such properties were of very great value. They knew that with the passage of time three things would happen; the plants would deteriorate in value, the peo- ple's panic incident to idleness and
 hard times" would increase; and the government, in view of the lament able situation, would be glad to sell its white elephant" for a song. The Alabama Power company, the Ameri- can Cyanamid company. the Chilean nitrate and American aluminium t: lsts eventually showed their hands.
 But a startling event proved that the contention of the properties un- worthiness was false. There are many slips between the cup and the lip, 1t Is alleged.
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