The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-17
South -CarOlinian's Shoals .Amendment Defeated
 By 49 To g Vote SENATE PREFERS
 PRIVATE LEASE Chamber Goes On Record As Opposing U. s. Op- eration Of Shoals UNDERWOOD BARES FERTILIZER LOBBY AIabanian Reads Propaganda Letter Which He Links With
 Herald Editorial
fwashinpton Bureau.l

WASHINGTON, Dec. lo.-1Hne- diately following dramatic expos ure of the fertilizer trust by Senator Underwood, as one of the selfish agencies maintaining an aggressive lobby in the capital, the senate this afternoon defeated the $ m h amendment to the pending Muscle Shoals bill by vote of 49 to 32.
 The Smith amendment would have changed the chaacter of the Underwood bill from a national defense and ferti- lizer production proposition. It had the support of practically half the south, a majority of the progressive republicans and that force which has always stood against any development at Muscle Shoals. It was defeated by democrats and administration republicans, assisted by certain progressives, Senator Ladd and Capper among them, who have al ways displayed willingness that Muscle Shoals be utilized for the farmers Of the country.
 The defeat of the Smith amendment indicates the passage of the Underwood hill. although Senator Curtis, repub- lican leader declared this afternoon that the supporters of the plan to create commission for the final disposition ot Muscle Shoals apparently had increased in number.
 Paralyzes Arguments
 Just before the vote was taken, Senator Underwood seemed to paralyze the arguments of certain southern senators, among them Senators Harris of Georgia and Smith of South Caro- lina,~ that the Underwood bill would result disastrously for the agricultural interests of the country. In his calm, iudicious manner, he presented resolu- ton adopted by the American Grange declaring the leasing feature of his bill, and resolution by the American Farm Bureau Federation declaring its support of the Underwood bill in its entirety. As if the suspending of Harris and Smith before the senate as fighting Tn the interest of the farmers but against the very thing the farmers desired, was not sufficient, Senator Underwood pro- ceeded to expose the lobby maintained in the Woodward building, this city, by the National Fertilizer association, in ;ts significance, was sensational in as much as the author of the letter read by the senator declared that he had that day, December 13, talked with 20 senators who had pledged him their support to stand against the Under wood measure to the limit and in which the author suggested to his clients that they initiate a propaganda having for it's purpose the shaking of the allegiance of other southern senators.
 Linked With Editorial
 q do not care to discuss the libelous editorial which appeared Saturday in the Washington Herald," said Senator Underwood, but it must be regarded as highly significant that this letter was written on date contemporaneous with the issuance of that editorial. And it is interesting to note that the same de- gree of certainty expressed by the edi- torial in it's statement that Muscle Shoals, under my bill, would pass into the hands of the Alabama Power com pany, is expressed in the letter of this lobbyist. The letter was issued from the Woodward building, this city, labelled bulletin $40, and was signed by John T. Turney. assistant to the president of the National Fertilizer association
 T want to call the attention of the senate to this other highly significant utterance of the lobbyist. He says Tn its fertilizer provisions, the Under wood bill is fully as objectionable as the Ford bill.'"
 Preceding the dramatic features and the vote on the Smith amendment there were repetitions of several spicy incidents which had characterized other days. Senator Harris of Georgia, after referring to the fact that several of his amendments had been beaten, declared that instead of a blessing to farmers the Underwood bill would "curse the south," inasmuch as, he said, the trust might capture the plants and increase the price of fertilizer.
 McKellar Renews Attack
 Senator McKellar of Tennessee re newed his attack against the Alabama Power company and again insinuated that the public utilities commission oi Alabama was in collusion with the com pany in that it permitted the company to charge three times as much for cur rent in Alabama "as ought to bt charged"
 This bill," he continued, "simpl! provides for the turning over of Mus cle Shoals to the power company, whicl has been unfair in its dealings with thu people. In my opinion, it will not re duce it's rates after obtaining Muscl Shoals, and will not produce fertiIize for the farmers"
 These circumstances induced Senate Heflin to fly impetuously into hi southern colleagues.
 For Gods sake," he exclaimed, 'le us senators of the south get togethe for once in our lives and stand to gether. By differeng for various req sons, we are destroying ourselves"
 Seeming to turn to Senator Harris, ht said: Had l lost dozen amendments I would still support this measure" Turning to Senator McKellar, h' said: 'The senator from Tennessee, bI \ attempting to permit the government power bureau to control Muscle Shoals
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