The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-31
PEOPLES FORUM
Resents Taylor's Shoals Testimony

Shetfleid. Alabama. To the Editor of The Age Herald
 would like to say a few words concerning the attitude of one Mayor R. V. Taylor. of Mobile, who testified before the congressional committee at Washington. on the Muscle Shoals question. Mir. Fay Tor is apparently weeping crocodile tears as he contemplates the aw- full fate of Muscle Shoals if the government sells it flor mess of pottage." He did a pretty little right-about-face in this question, as is known. he having voted for res- olution urging congress to adopt the Ford offer. February 21, 1922. :. :.
 Quite a few people appear to want Muscle Shoals, but everyone in the state of Alabama knows that Henry Ford is the man who will put the project to work in way to get the maximum of good for the people. We hold no brief against the Alabama Power company. but we feel that. octopus-like. it is reaching out it's tentacles to clutch the waterpower of this state, and that monopoly will result that will be menace to the people. And we would hate to see that happen. But the point we want to make it this. what induced the estimable mayor of Mobile to give that testi- mony? He had had time to con- slider the question in 1922 before he voted for that resolution. and he voted aye. What has changed his mind?
 North Alabama knows the value of Muscle Shoals. and to a man they are fighting for Ford. They want the prosperity that will fol- low. and they are not entirely sell fish in this. The whole state will share it., as is known. Ford will give the farmers cheap fertilizer, and he will reduce the power rates. He has already said he would buy up lots of cotton, because he had a process whereby fabric could be made of cotton of such strength that he could be used for automo- bile wheels. He said repeatedly that he could manufacture imple- ments that will simplify farming, and will allow men to be active producers of foodstuffs, and yet give them time for industrial occu- patton. This is entirely possible, as implements have already been made that blow, harrow and plant crops with one trip across the field.
 We hope that Mobile resents with us the fact that her mayor would testify against man whose coming would mean prosperity to the state. But we object to the mayor of Mobile. who threw his in- tlnence against Ford when he could have used it for him. Alabama wants Henry Ford. It is believed in North Alabama that those who are against the Ford offer in this state have personal monetary in- terest in the Alabama Power com nany. Let Mobile assert herself. She is vital part of Alabama, and surely she will refute the imores- sion that she is against the Ford offer. Mayor Taylor is no: Mo. bile. We know that, but we stood for Mobile before that committee and North Alabama hopes that her southern sister will lend a helping hand to put over the thing that will usher in an era of marvellous growth to the state.
 WILLIAM MASON. January 2S, 1924.
 Wishes Us "Much Sneress"
 To the Editor of The Age-Herafd
 l wish The Age-Herald much success in it's wonderfully equipped new home. A paper that is always on the right si,e of every question, as 1t is, should have the support of all right thinking citizens.
 MRS. SAM HENRY.
 Guntersville, Ala, Jan. 24, 1924.