The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-13
Reckless Assertions" Declares Weeks

replying today to an attack on nm bv Henry Ford concerning the sale of the Gorgas steam plant Of the Muscle Shoals project, said the De- troit manufscturer's statement was filled with reckless assertions"
 MT, Weeks statement said it was possible that Mir ord, relying as he does upon other persons In the conduct of so many enterprises, was not himself possessed "of the full facts" ss to the sale of the Gorgas plant.
 continue a newspaper discussion of this subject, but if necessary shall p1acs all facts before proper tribunal"
 statement late fin the day after con- brought ont by MT. Ford's assertions in Detroit last night, in which MT. Weeks action and motives were placed under fire.
 e.,. Refer. cS1e,;G9xeo' ;G Q
 Although MT. Weeks would not comment upon Mfr. Ford's statement beyond issuing his own formal reply, there was every indication that he felt strongly on the charges that political influences working through Jim had prevented the Detroit manu- facturer from obtaining Muscle Shoals. During the day he twice dis cussed the situation with President Coolidge, the last time, after he had prepared his answer, which he car ried with him to tho White House.
 President Coolidge is known to be thoroughly in accord with the action taken by the war department in sell ing the Gorgss plant to the Alabama Power company for $2,472,4S7. The position of the President as 1t has been stated at the White House, is that MT. Ford be given every op- portunity to buy and lease the Muscle Shoals properties and that his offer, still before Congress, has not been affected by the sale of the Gorgas project.
 Mir. Coolidge after the recent sale of tho Gorgas plant, told visitors the plant as essential to the pur- poses which Mir. Ford had stated ne had in view in acquiring Muscle Shoals. As the President put 1t. the administration feels that tho Gorgas plant bore about the same relation 10 an apple after the fruit has fallen from the tree.
 Administration officials. Including the President, have asserted that Mir Ford could build an auxiliary steam plant for less than the three and one- lldlL InllilOu uOiidIS represented III tho GorEas plant sale, which sum 1t was announced, would be credited to MT. Ford on his S5,00o,000 offer for the property. The view is that the Ford offer Is still before Congress and that body must determine the matter
 secretary's Statement.
 Tho full text of Secretary Weeks statement;
 MT. Ford this morning delivered a personal attack upon mo in con- ministration in relation to Muscle Shoals. His statement Is filled with reckless assertions.
 Ut may be that MT, Ford, relying as he does upon other persons in tho conduct of so many enterprises, probably is not himself possessed of the full facts of the situation. For the benefit of those who do not fully understand tho problems inolved, I shall briefly touch upon the sub ject:
 "aIuscle Shoals was a development for nitrate purposes in the war. which Included the construction of q large dam on the Tennessee river, and the construction of air-fixing nitrate plants with large Quarrles, and as an adjunct to these plants in order to supply power pending the completing. of the water power plant a steam plant was erected 90 miles away on the Warrior river, known ss the Gorgas plant.
 The total expenditure on these properties was about S102,0 900 of which less than S5,000,000 was spent upon this isolated and temporary steam plant. The steam plant was bama Power company, which reserved title to tho land on agreed condi- tfons with the Wilson administration, for which this administration is not responsible, and which gave them the right to purchase the Gorgas steam plant.
 ''rhe proposal made by MT. Ford for the purchase of this entire equipment invloved the payment by him of s5,000,000 for the entire plant, including the above isolated and temporary steam plant. They also in- rolved many other conditions with regard to the completion of the water power, etc. No disposal of gov ernment property can rightfully 'hc made by any administrative officer without the approval of Congress, and I. as the responsible official in this matter. referred MT. Ford s offer to Congress. which has so far
 Tn the meantime, the Alabama Tower company, der their rights Tn tue old contract notified the gov ernment that the lands must be va cated on or before October 15, this year. They offered to pay S3,501, 900 for this comparatively small item of the whole equipment. The govern = n1ent had an option to accept the cf- fer which was the highest made, or to salvage this plant -s second hand ma chincry and from which they could not have realized more than S1 1000, ,0O., On the other hand 1t must be borne in mind that for this single item in the entire equipment the government has secured $3.500.000 as against the S5,000,000 offered by MT. Ford for the entire plant and equipment.
 At tine time of the sale in a de- sire not to disturb the status quo, the administration stated to MT. Ford that this amount could be credited on his original offer of $5,000,000 if it was so wished. Mir. Ford's declared purpose in purchs ing the Muscle Shoals Is the manufacture of nitrales for the Fertilization purposes. I .iave the keanest interest In the develop ment of air-fixtation of nitrates, In assistance of the American farmer and In the adaptability of Muscle Shoals fo. this purpose. As evidence of the governments desire to promote this end 1t Is carrying forward today the construction of hydraulic works on the tennessee river with view to making that great water power avail able for the purpose.
 Denies Opposing Ford.
 1T have never opposed MT. Ford s recurring the use of this water power