The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-24
Ford Makes Reply To Secre- tary Of War, In Which, It Is Believed, He Questioned GorgaS Contract
 OLIVER AND W0RTHINGT0N CONFER ON SHOALS ISSUE Weeks Likely To Ask Another Extension Of Power Con- pany-Gorgas Controversy May Go To Congress
WASHINGTON BUREAU l
 THE AGE-HERALn {

Advocates of the Henry Ford offer for Muscle Shoals contend today that the contract between the gov company, involving the Gorgas steam plant, is not only Illegal. but that it's illegality Is so palpable that it will be recognized as soon as 1t is pointed out to government authorities.
 Tomorrow is the day on which the Alabama Power company expects the Secretary of War. John w. Weeks, to reply to it's demand that in ac- cordance with the contract, the gov ernment either sell it's interest in Gorgas to the company or move it's interest off the property of the com pany. MT. Weeks has been absent for several days, and 1t is understood tonight that he will not make an ap- pearance tomorrow. 1t is the general understanding that no development in the situation will feature tomor- row. and it is expected that immedi- ately afterward MT. Weeks will re- quest of the Alabama Power company an exseneion of tine for the formu- fating of the governments final de- cision. That request. if made. will be granted, it Is conceded, although it is believed that the company will refuse to grant an extension that would carry the controversy into another week.
 Don't Tell All.
 That point in the contract which Ford advocates declare renders it not binding on the government is not made public. It Is recalled that the Attorney General has already rem dered an opinion to the secretary to the effect that the government was legally bound to sell it's property at Gorgas to the Alabama Power com pany or vacate the premises of the company. Ford advocates hold that the opinion must have been based on ex parte fact, and that when a con trary opinion is subsequently, rem dered (and they are convinced that a contrary opinion will ultimately be rendered), the Attorney General could not be justly criticized for too hasty action.
 Representative w. B. Oliver of the Sixth Alabama district, since Friday, has been studying the legal phases of the situation. While he declined to grant an interview today, it is known that he is confident that the government will not be required to sell Gorgas to the Alabama Power company, or remove it's interest from the property of the company. Today. he has been closeted with J. w. l,i ne xyh resents MT. Ford in Washington.
 Ford Makes Answer.
 It is learned tonight that Mir. Ford has delivered communication of some nature to the Secretary of War in response to the Secretary's re- quest that he eliminate from the con- ditions of his offer a provision that Gorgas be delivered, along with all other Muscle Shoals property. to him. It is understood that MT. Ford has not directly said that he would or would not eliminate Gorgas. It is believed that he has called the atten- tion of the Secretary to the alleged necessity of a reinvestigation of the legal phases of the contract. This would give the secretary plausible reason. it is pointed out, to ask the Alabama Power company for an ex- tension of time. If that result ob- tains, and that 1t will, appears cer- tain, Mir. Oliver, in all probability will have a discussion with the At torney General and present factory which Ford advocates believe the At torney General overlooked when he prepared to rnder an opinion some weeks ago. Ford advocates appear certain that as result of this discuss sion, the Attorney General will rem der a contrary opinion.
 In that event. there would be no necessity for action by the governs ment, respecting Gorgas, and thus the case, unchanged in any particular, would be in accord with the desire of those supporting the Ford cause.