Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-06

Washington, Dec. 5.-Consideration
OF the Muscle Shoals problem in the
Senate went over until Monday to
await the report OF the war depart
ment on the Underwood bill.
Secretary Weeks conferred late to-
day at the Capitol with administra-
ton leaders and promised to submit
the report Of the military experts
Monday.
The fate of the Underwood bill. in
the opinion of Senate leaders. hinges
on the war department report. Presi-
dent Coolidge referred the Underwood
bill to the military experts and it is
understood he expects to be guided in
a measure on their report.
II the Underwood bill is disapprov-
ed by the military men. 1t is believed
that the whole question wilt be re-
terred to q joint committee Of the Sem
ate and House to act as commission
to recommend a solution Of the prob
lem.
Today's session OF the Senate was
devoted entirely to debate on Muscle
Shoals. Considerable time was spent
in q discussion led by Senator Bruce,
Democrat, Maryland. on his amend
ment requiring the selection of en-
rloyes at Muscle Shoals in event the
government operates the plant, on
merit and not for political reasons.
Before the discussion got under way
two amendments on the Underwood
bill were introduced. Senator McNary.
Republican. Oregon. presented an
amendment to place the water develop
mentS at Muscle Shoals under the fed
eral water power act, and Senator Nc
Kellar, Democrat. Tennessee. proposed
one to restrict the lease of the prop
orty to an American citizen or an
American controlled corporation.
The Muscle Shoals question also
cropped up in the House today, two
bills being introduced for disposition
Of the property.
Representative Reece, Republican,
Tennessee. introduced a bill identi-
cal to the Underwood measure and
Representative Reed, Republican.
West Virginia, presented a measure
providing for q federal corporation
to operate the properties.
Senator Harrison declared that
the act under which Muscle Shoals
was constructed contemplated pro-
duction of nitrogen for explosives In
time of war and for fertilizer in time
of peace. He asserted that all the
power necessary for southern enter
prise could be developed from power
sites in the Appalachian section.
Endorsing President Coolidge's re-
concentrations for Muscle Shoals In
his message to congress. he declared
the executive would veto the Norris
bill II 1t were passed but would not
veto the Underwood measure.
Senator Wadsworth said 1t would
be impossible to keep politics out OF
government operation of Muscle
Shoals, and the best solution of the
issue would be obtained by part
nsrship between the government and
a private corporation, which knew
their business" He declared the bid
ders behind the Hooker-white-A After
bury proposal had furnished valu-
able suggestions for the develop
ment of the property for production
not only of power and fertilizer but
Of many by-products.
The Muscle Shoals situation was
confused somewhat by the introduce
ton of bill by Senator Wadsworth
giving the secretary of war author
fty to sell nitrate plant number l,
and Waco Quarry, parts of the pro-
jcct. He explained, however, that
he introduced the measure as chair
man of the military affairs commit
tee solely as a routine matter. The
bill. he said, merely meant that the
two sections of Muscle Shoals were
no longer needed for national de-
Tense.