The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-14
NEGLECTING AN EMPIRE

NEGLECTING AN EMPIRE
 The Ford offer for Muscle Shoals will not be withdrawn, it is said, but will remain for the consideration of the next congress. As the debate now fades into perspective, certain features stand out as unchanged by any sort of argument or objection. Fore most among these is the evident and wide spread public desire for an immediate set clement of the future of the project in such manner that the people will enjoy the ut most benefit from its operation. The pro- posal for government operation is made all the more ridiculous by the evident in- ability of congress to arrive at a business like decision on the question. The very record of the congress just closed is proof positive of congressional unfitness for ad- mnistrative responsibility. Success of such tremendous undertaking as is potential at Muscle Shoals can be attained only through an uninterrupted, systematic, united and determined policy formulated by experienced leaders of industry with view single to its success. Such policy would be impossible as long as there was any opportunity for the free play of politics, such as interferes with the efficient conduct of every govern ment enterprise. The taxpayers of the United States cannot contemplate with equanimity any new prospect of an unend- ing series of deficiency appropriations such as always follow in the wake of government operation.
 In spite of the many protestatons from enemies of ,the Ford proposal that 1t IS absurdly inadequate and really invites the government to give the property away, it is significant that nobody else has come for ward to offer more for the project, nor to undertake to do a tithe of what Ford con- templates. Yet those who have nothing su- perior to offer convince one of the offers inadequacy. The reply of the friends of Muscle Shoals development is a challenge to critics and obstructionists to make bet ter offer or keep quiet. Shall the people forego a great industrial expansion and op- portunity merely because of objection on the part of those interests who will not sup port their objections by tangible proposals of superior merit? Or shall the people look to their representatives in congress for de- finite action removing the brakes from this undertaking of such tremendous promise?
 The Tennessee Valley in Alabama has long been acknowledged as possessing the potential wealth of an empire. Itneeds only the touch of an industrial wizard to turn it into fruitfuiness and into a source Of actual tangible wealth. Witness what Com modore Matthew F. Maury, founder of the United States weather service, as quoted by State Senator Duncan of Limestone and Lauderdale counties, has to say on the wealth of this valley: .This area of the Tennes- see Valley of North Alabama combines all of the elements of climate, soil, drainage and resources for the highest development of the civilization in greater degree than in any other like area in the world, and will some day support the largest population ot any equal area except some metropolitan center"
 And what stands in the way of the con- summation of this prophecy? Nothing, ex- cept the private jealousy of certain inter- ests, and the shortsghted political chicanery of leaders in congress. Shall this sort of thing be tolerated in this day and age of boasted enlightenment and achievement, or shall the people of this country demand in no uncertain manner that the nations busi- ness be handled with an eye single to the nations welfare? It is a question on which the people of this nation should gravely re- fleet. For if the late congress has failed to meet it's high opportunity and obliga- tion in this respect, has it not likewise failed in every similar opportunity to per form acts of statesmanship in the public I b;of ic not ho failure of the separate projects of great moment; the chief concern is how to elect congress that will not fail.