The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-22

eliminate the governments entire in- vestment during the lease Cf 100 years. He agreed to produce ferti- lizer and to sell 1t to farmers at a profit not to exceed eight per cent. Having submitted his offer, he em- ployed MT. Worthington, the best in formed man regarding Muscle Shoals in the world and who had had an eX- perience with Congress of many years duration, to represent him in Washington. As his personal rep resentative, he sent to the capital his chief of engineers, w. B. Mayo, hose scientific information recom- pensed him in part for his lack of charm and personality. MT. Worth ington's own force, long experienced in Muscle Shoals matters. was put into the service of MT. Ford. A prin- cipal member Cf the staff was W. G. Waldo, formerly a professor of en- gineering at Vanderbilt university, who years ago surrendered his edu- cational post to assist MT. Worthing- ton In Washington. R. F. Bower of Virginia who previously had served in fighting the Muscle Shoals bat ties under the direction of Mir Warrington, then and now an of. ficer in Washington headquarters of the American Farm Bureau Fedora ton. was another valuable assistant brought into the Ford cause.
 Secretary Weeks Surprised.
 There is no question that Secre- tary Weeks was surprised that Ford
 submitted an offer. There Is not as much question that Secretary Weeks was shocked on reading the terms of that offer. He regarded those terms as impudent. It was his first inn pulse to reject the bid instanter.
 Finally. however. he concluded to await developments. He antici- pated that other bids would be re- ceived and that they would be so much more advantageous to the gov ernment than the Ford offer that he would be justified by popular judg ment in throwing the Ford offer out of the window. But fer weeks, no other offer came to hand. Then great was the dilemma of the secretary. It was about that time that MT Weeks concluded to send for Mr. Ford. It was his purpose to inform the manufacturer of automobiles that his bid of s5,000,000 for property which cyst more than $100, 100000 was ridiculous on it's face, and to
 
 offer as to make 1t worthy of con sideration. MT. Ford came and heard the secretary state his case,
 MT. Ford, however. was obdurate He declined to make any save the
 most inconsequential amendments Afterwards, MT. Weeks simply shock
 his head when questioned by news paper men. He did not know what
 to do. He wondered why some cor poration, notably the Alabama Power company, did not enter the contest
 The reason subsequently, became aR- parent.
 The secretary, after further pom dering. concluded positively that he
 could not accept the Ford propos- tion. There were legal restrictions | and the necessity of congress
 sional action. There was nothing however. of a legal character to pre- vent him rejecting the Ford offer The interests which were watching
 the situation very closely expected him to do so. But a great rumbling on the part of the people had reached the ear of the secretary. The peo- pie made it plain that they wanted
 the administration to accept the bid | of Ford. The rumbling grew into | the proportions of storm. It was then that the secretary announced in