The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-23
LINING UP FOR THE SHOALS


 public behalf are much slower getting under way than campaigns in behalf of private profit, eventually the for mer win. Thus, with respect to the Muscle Shoals project, it appears that the friends of the development for the public benefit are marshaling their forces in the most imposing and deter mined manner yet exhibited. Hardly had there been published the declara- tion of intention to carry through this project on the part of the very influ- ential Representative Madden of Illi- nois than Senator Ladd of North Da- kota joined hands with MT. Barney M.
 Baruch, former head of the war in dustries board, to emphasize the feesi- bility of Ford's plans, which have been criticized in certain interested quar- ters as being impracticable. These men are leaders of ability, and their support cannot fail to be Instrumental in conciliating a strong sentiment in favor of the Ford offer.
 In all this discussion it must be said that this support is won, not because it is Henry Ford who makes the offer, but because the offer itself, as Sena- tor Ladd points outs is the only one thus far submitted which comprehends the manifold aspects of the undertak- ing. To be sure, the fact that Henry Ford has behind him an enviable and unsurpassed industrial record, and is financially independent of Wall Street or any other. financial stronghold does not in the least detract from the ger- eral confidence in his ability to exe- cute his contract. Indeed, having been the object of attack in one of MT. Ford's publications, Barney Ba- ruch might be pardoned for at least remaining non-committal on the sub ject; but so great IS it's merit and so sincerely does Mir. Baruch envision the public benefit that he submerges any personal feeling for the general good. As member of the war indus tries board undoubtedly MT. Ba1'uch had exceptional opportunity to observe the efficiency of the Ford methods.
 In letter to Gray Silver, head of the Farm Bureau Federation, MT. Baruch said that, "after all it is the fixing of nitrogen that is the crux of the whole contract. I am quite sure that the contract means to cover this point, but it should be made clear" In his letter to Senator Ladd Mr. Baruch says further: "If MT. Ford is willing to put his reputation as a great industrialist behind this develop ment, the government, rather than let this plant lie idle, could afford to make almost any contract with him, provided the work is undertaken now. Time is of the essence. We ought so make some practical and immediate use of the huge sums of money that it was necessary to spend for war pur- poses, but which could now be put to the constructive uses of peace. It is also important to remember that it would be our bulwark in time of war"
 The above is the strongest kind of indorsement, because it pierces the fabrications of the obstructionist and reveals the fundamentals. A factor in the Ford offer hitherto not empha- sized is brought out by MT. Baruch, namely, Henry Ford's pride in his own reputation. A man like Ford can have no further yearnings of strictly ma terial nature, for he is wealthy be- yond any human comprehension. His chief guerdon and reward henceforth must be in the nature of personal sat isfaction and the maintenance of his magnificent record as an industrialist. The undertaking of the Muscle Shoals project, the greatest and most mo- mentous of his career, would be an extraordinary stimulus to him to do his very best to make it tremendous success. A chief purpose behind the other offers has been the very nat ural desire to augment personal and corporate fortunes. The people are justified in believing that there is genuine desire to accomplish a still greater industrial triumph behind the offer of Henry Ford.