The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-06
A LIBEL ON ALABAMA

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 The injury that may be done the fair name of a state by journalistic bias was recently well illustrated by an article on Alabama which recently appeared in the Chicago Tribune attributed to one Scru- tator After justly praisng Alabama's rise in prosperity and her leadership in steel and iron products as well as her agricultural and other industrial wealth. the writer IS quoted as saying: Disappointed by the delay of the millennium which was expected to follow Henry Ford's taking over of Mus cle Shoals, the Alabama legislature in repri- sal has attacked the existing power com panies and repealed ten-year tax exemp- tion on water-power projects Business in- terests fear that this will check hydro-elec- tric development which has been proceeding at such rapid rate" To those familiar with the record and with certain journalistic attempts in this state to apologize for the Alabama Power Company and to cast dis credit upon the legislature of Alabama the sentiment has familiar ring. It may be coincidence.
 The facts are the public knows them, and no sort of editorial distortion can change them. There is no proof that the Alabama legislature had Muscle Shoals in mind when it repealed the statutes referred to, nor is there proof that the legislature acted In any spirit of pique or resentment when it revoked the tax-exemption privileges af fleets water power companies. If any re- sentiment was felt, it was probably at the almost successful attempt to obtain hasty valuation of the Alabama Power Company property for rate-making purposes be- fore the induction of the newly y-eect- ed public service commissioners As for the alleged fear of business in- terests that the repeal will have any effect on water power development in this state, a fairminded person need only to con- slider the new development under way and contemplated by the power company. Fur thermore, the idea is absurd and not worth second thought were it not for the unfor- tunately widespread incorrect idea, that Alabama is unfriendy to capital and indus try. Anybody who sincerely reflects on the situation knows that water power companles build their endeavors where there are water power sites, and not where legislatures fear to tread lest they offend them.
 The Scrutator article goes on to say: Heavy taxes will now be levied on all fu- ture projects and new million dollar de- velopment just completed will carry an unexpected tax burden" The statement that "heavy taxes" are levied anywhere in Alabama or on any property is not borne out by the facts. hlabamas industries bear tax rate that competes for the honor of being lowest among all the states in the Union. The inference some may draw rom the above quotation that power companies will be particular sufferers ,s a.so not to be substantiated. And why shouldn't they pay their just proportion? Furthermore, the tax is not paid by the power companies out of their own profits but is passed on to their patrons as an additional charge and is rec ognized as an item in computing valua- tion for rate-making purposes.
 It appears time for the newspapers of the state to rally to the defense of this states treatment of industries of every sort, and to combat the persistent statements that have been published giving an erroneous impression. Otherwise, the state is likely to suffer an rreparable injury which is all the more to be deprecated in that it is based on false premise that appears to have been deliberately built up. The people of Ala bama understand the spacious nature of the accusations, but the people outside do not. A united campaign of boosting Alabama by the newspapers of this state will counteract unfavorable tendencies and invite invest ment. This will be pleasant task, for Ala bama has much to offer and nothing to be ashamed of. Let the press of the state ring ont that pospel