The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-24
POWER HEADS APPEAR
T. w. Martin And E. A. Yates Be
 fore Committee

fore Committee | WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-Repre- sentatives of southern power companies explaining before the House military committee today their offer for control of Muscle Shoals emphasized they would be under regulation by state public utilities commissions and the federal power commission as to rates, while Henry Ford, if his bid were ac- cepted, would not. As a result, they contended, consumers would be as sured power at low cost, which would not be certain if Ford takes over the project.
 Thomas w. Martin, president. and D. A. Yates, vice president and gen. eral manager of the Alabama Power company, were the representatives who appeared before the committee this morning.
 Declaring that Ford. as development of Muscle Shoals, continues. would be able to generate power with steadily diminishing costs, Mir. Yates said that in 1886 Ford would be able to produce power for S3,369,0O0 which now costs cotton mills and other industrial estab- lishments $1S,O00.000 year.
 Development of Muscle Shoals by
 
 in addition to insuring low cost power, would provide equitable distribution of current throughout the south.
 Promises Square Deap'
 "We are interested in the industrial development of the south," Mir. Yates declared. We make an effort to fur nish power at low cost. Consumers would be sure of getting a square deal from us if we develop power at Muscle Shoals"
 Mir. Yates said Mir. Ford might place various industrial plants in the south and would be able to furnish them power at a price below that paid to lease Muscle Shoals. would not have himself under state regulation.
 Chairman Kahn recalled that W. B. Mayo, chief engineer of the Ford Motor company, in testimony before the com mittee, said that Mir. Ford did not in tend to sell power generated at Muscle Shoals, but would use all of it for his own industrial plants.
 Representative Garrett. democrat, Tennessee, asked whether the Alabama Power company, the Tennessee Electric Power company, and the Memphis Power and Light company, if permitted to lease Muscle Shoals. would not have a monopoly of power in the south.
 "No." declared Mir. Yates. "Regu- lation of rates would prevent that"
 Others Interested
 In his testimony Mir. Yates pointed out that while only three companies had signed the offer for Muscle Shoals, number of other power companies in the south would have an interest in the proposition and would share in the benefits.
 Curiosity was shown again today by members of the committee as to the bid expected for fertilizer manufacture.
 Are the men who will submit the offer now in Washington asked Representative McSwain, democrat, South Carolina.
 "They are," replied Mir. Yates.
 At hotel here?"
 "Yes."
 How do you know?"
 "I have seen them" Mir. Yates re- piled, however, declining to disclose their identity or give any details as to the offer in which he previously had said the power companies would be in- terested
 B. c. Edgar. vice president and gen eral manager in charge of operations of the Tennessee Electric Power com pany, who followed Yates as a witness, said the fertilizer offer would be placed before the committee tomorrow or next | day,"