The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-05

the aluminium trust of the United States.
 eXerted by the farmers from all over the United States became so intense that the rules committee, though dominated by republicans, a majority opposed to the desires of MT. Ford crumbled, figuratively, of course, into dust. The committee by majority vote instructed it's champion, Repre- sentative Philip r. Campbell of Kan sas. to demand of the House a rule putting in order for consideration and disposal the Muscle Shoals prop osition.
 3ur-how short lived was the joy of Alabamiansl With an arrogance never approXimated even in the hec- tic day of Cannonism, Chairman Campbell ignored the instructions of his committee. He was not to be moved by suggestion, by petition, by abuse. In his doGmatic course. he was aided and abetted by Representa- tive Frank w. Mondell of Wyoming. republican floor leader. During the storm which broke about their heads they said nothing. They simply re- fused to act.
 Jeffers Is Selected.
 All that democrats could do was to express their opinion of Campbell and Mondell, Representative Lamar Jeffcrs of the Fourth Alabama dis trlct was selected to make the speech of Announcement. This lie did effec- lively and amid the applause of democrats-and silence of repub- licans-on March 3, 1929, the day be- fore the adjournment of the last Congress. He referred to the fact that Mondell, the previous summer, had promised to dispose of the Mus cle Shoals problem. He referred to the fact that the rules committee had instructed Campbell to bring about a vote. He caustically reminded the House that the people of Kansas and the people of Wyoming, in the con gressional elections had repudiated Campbell and Mondel, and sent them back to Congress lame ducks" they had paraded as proud peacocks.
 And now the prayers of the farm CTS of the nation and of the other citizens, of people in all walks of life, have been denied by these men who themselves have been defeated and repudiated, but who, under present conditions, are retained in positions of authority; and they are exerting their power at the behest, or at least ''' ''stAi-N NitIi W Hat IS tue NllI and desire of such giant interests as the National Fertilizer association the great chemical trusts, the Chil- can nitrate corporations, and the water power and aluminium monopo- lies of the United. States. And. bv the way, let 1t be remembered that Andrew w, Mellon, the Secretary of the Treasury, is one of the aluminium kings of the country, and he has the ear of the administration"
 Almost Touched Spot.
 MT. Jeffers almost but not quite touched the real spot. Master poli- ticians were aware that from their standpoint 1t would be disadvanta geous either to give Muscle Shoals to Henry Ford or to reject his bid Incy could lot afford to offend tha trusts. They cVould not afford to of fend the farmers. It was wise. they held, to leave the matter in an uiI- determined state.
 While Campbell and Mondell had both been defeated, it is probable that they would not have had the ar rogance patentlN to defy the will Of Congress and people of the country had they not had knowledge thai they had powerful friends. Follow Ing the adjournment of Congress. the two offenders were offered diplo- matic posts, Their wealth made it unnecessary that they accept posi- tons which would remove them from the country But Mondell became a member of the war finance corpora ton with a salary of sl2OOO Der an mum and Campbell will be taken care H Just as soon as he finds an avail ahle position which in respect to du- ties and salary meets his exactionn.
 lnaSmuch as it is folly to blind oneself to real facts, 1t should not be surmlsed that because the Ford offer VIII have far greater support in the next than in the last Congress, it will or necessity be accepted by the gov ernment There are pitfalls ahead, Ana should Congress enact legisla- ton accepting the Ford offer, that offer could not rally sufficient strength to counteract the Presidents veto should he veto the legislation. Regard It Seriously.
 It is indicated that the greatest obstacles will be tbe fact that cer- tain members of the House, notably the acting chairman of the commit tee on military affairs who are in- clined to support the Ford offer, re- gard seriously the existence of the Gorgas contract; and the implacable attitude of Senator Morris, chairman
 
 O o O
 What Might Happen.
 Congress will adjourn in March in order that members might take part In the presidential campaIgnA
 December will be wasted in or- ganizing, in naming committees. in getting ready, and celebrating the anniversary of Christmas. In Jan Cary the administration legislative program. including suggestions for amendments to taxation and tariff laws, recommendations regarding i'm migra ton and foreign policy, es- pecially the highly controversial in ternational court proposal" will be presented. In view of the foregoing, it would be possible for administra- ton leaders to prevent action on Muscle Shoals in the single month of February.
 But-the strategy of republicans just prior to the congressional cam paigns of 1922 brought them to a practical Waterloo. Their mstreat- ment of Muscle Shoals, furthermore, made Henry Ford a possible presi- able following. It is possible. there fore. that tfsSs,ya will become aware trat unless they do justice to the great cause in which the farmers have put their faith and trust an one and all. out of high places into complete oblivion.
 Ard that very thing is what would surely happen.
 THE END.