Evening star., 1924-03-10
SHOALS BILL AGAIN
.G|VEN RIGHT OF WAY
Mckenzie Wants Vote by
House Today-0pposes
Lengthy Debate.

Muscle Shoals legislation was given
bills which ordinarily are considered
on Monday.
Without dissenting vote, the
House adopted a motion by Repre-
sentative Mckenzie. Illinois, to re-
sumo consideration of his bill pro-
viding for acceptance of Henry Ford S
offer for Muscle Shoals
Expect F1naI Vote.
Those in charge of the measure
said they were confident a final vote
would be reached before the end of
the day. s7
- House. members opposed to the
Begg amendment adopted Saturday,
which, would require Ford to surren-
der HIS lease If he failed to make
good on his contract in any particu-
lar, planned to obtain record vote
on the amendments before q final
vote Is had.
proposed by Representative wefald.
farmer-laborite. Minnesota, was to fix
the maximum net profit Ford would
be allowed to make on fertilizer at 5
per cent instead of per cent, as
provided for in the bill.
Wants More Speed.
Mr.. Mckenzie notified the House he
was determined to speed up a vote,
and in an effort to do SO would seek
to cut discussion Of various amend
ments. This announcement brought
applause from. advocates of the Ford
bid
Mr.. Mckenzie said representatives
Of farm organizations had indicated
that s per cent was a fair" maxi
mum. He opposed the wefald amend
ment, which was rejected.
The House also voted down an
amendment by Representative Strong,
republican. Kansas, to cut the per
cent to 6 per cent
Answers Mckenzie.
A charge by Mr.. Mckenzie that
some House members from rural sec
tions were being swayed by "propa-
ganda" of power companies hostile
to the Ford offer brought Mr.. Strong
to his feet with a declaration that
he. for one, was seeking to prevent
"railroading'' Of the Mckenzie bill
through congress.
Mr.. Mckenzie contended that
charges that leasing Of Muscle Shoals
TO Ford would prove worse than
Teapot Dome" made on the House
floor by some members, were inspired
by interests fighting the Ford offer.
He declared that in this way an effort
was being. made to ALLEVIATE from
Ford the good will of farmers.
In reply Mr.. Strong declared he was
t. kxy ss~ a.,
but believed 1t was imperative that
Ford be permitted to make a reason
able profit.
Rogers Defends Ford.
A vigorous plea for acceptance of
the Ford bid was made by Repre-
sentative Rogers, democrat, New
Hampshire.
As the House in quick succession
voted down one amentment after an
other, supporters of the Ford bid
shouted vote, VOTE" whenever a
member attempted to prolong dis
cussioE.
Representative La Guardia, repub-
lican, New York, helping to wage q
futile fight against the bill, charged
that it was being "railroaded and
jammed" through the House.
Hill Move Fails.
Another effort to alter the terms
of the Ford offer failed with an
amendment, by Representative Hill
republican, Maryland, providing that
tae per cent profit was to be based
on equipment used in fertilizer man
ufacture.,,
without discussion another amend
ment proposed by an opponent Of the
Ford ofier, La Guardia, republican.
New York, was rejected It would
have required Ford to produce at
least 10000 tons of fixed nitrogen at
Muscle Shoals by 1926.