Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-06-12

entrance
World war in 1917 found us dependent upon Chile
for nitrates with which to manufacture explosives.
Nitrates be taken from the nitrogen In the air.
The power and the facilities for the manufacture
of an adequate supply were not available Hence
the federal government decided to construct a. nj
trate plant of its own Muscle Shoals was selected
as the site because it had ample water power, was
convenient to the raw materials, coal and lime
stone, and was secure from military viewpoint
Work was begun at Muscle Shoals in July of
1918 At the signing Of the armistica in November
of 1918 steam-poWer nitrate plant had been prac-
tically completed. Wilson Dam, however, had been
barely begun. Congress decided to complete Will
son Dam and it will be ready to deliver its power
some time in 1926
Muscle Shoals did not becomw useless at the
signing of the armistice. On the contrary it pos
sesses great peace-time possibilities. 1t be
made source Of two of the most important factors
in our industrial Development electricity and nj
trogen compounds The Rses of electrical power
almost iimtless. Nitrogen compounds can be
made into either explosives fertilizer, the pre-
liminary stages of manufacture being the same
Completion Of the Muscle Shoals project will also
greatly increase the navigability of the Tennessee
river.
During the last two years several offers have
been made to the War department for part all Of
the Muscle Shoals properties. The secretary Of
referred these offers to congress with the re
quest for legislation covering the situation
Muscle Shoals Project in Detail.
President Coolidge, in a message to congress De-
cember 6, 1929 recommended that the properties
be sold subject to the right of the government to
retake them in time of war and with covenant
that experimentation for the manufacture of fer
filters be carried on to success. He recommended
that congress consider offers, conduct negotiations
and report definite recommendations.
This article, however, is solely for the purpose
of giving the outstanding facts in connection with
ment. Other phases Of the complicated situation
are purposely ignored.
The strictly wartime works at Muscle Shoals
are far from representing all of the present under
takngs existing and proposed. If present plans
are carried out, the complete development COM
prises the following:
Dam No. This is a small navigation dam to be
erected at Florence, two miles below the Wilson
DAM It's estimated cost is $1,40000O. It's con-
struction is not yet approved. 1t is to contain
navigation lock and will provide sufficient depth of
water upstream to the Wilson DAM From Flor
ence to the Ohio, distance of 257 miles, there is
to be a six-foot channel.
Dam No. 2--This is the Wilson Dam, elsewhere
described in detail. It will develop power and is
provided with navigation locks It's final cost is
estimated at $51000,000
Dam No. 3-This is proposed power and navi
cation DAM located Is miles above Wilson DAM
It's construction is not yet approved. 1t would
raise the water IN the river ~ IoeC anu permit
navigation further distance up stream for about
65 miles, 1t would supply power to maximum of
100000 horsepower This dam would be even longer
than the Wilson Dam, but not so high Its estimat-
ed cost is $25.OOOOOO
Nitrate Plant No. This Is q relatively small
citrate plant built in 1917 for experimental pur-
poses at cost of $10,000,000.
Nitrate Plant No. 2-This is a large nitrate plant
built to supply nitrates for explosives during the
war. Its total cost, including 1O0OOO-horsepower
steam plant and limestone quarry at Waco, was
about $66,o00O00.
Villages-In connection with Nitrate Plants Nos.
1 and complete villages for workers were built
Plant No. 2 covers site consisting of 1890 acres
of land 1t consists of six separate plants for the
various chemical processes and there are in addi-
ton 1856 permanent houses, with electric lights,
sewers and water supply; one hotel with 100
rooms furnished with all modern improvements;
% miles of improved roads: 81 miles Of standard
r.