The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-13
SESSION WEARS
 WITHOUT MOVE
 ON SHOALS PLAN
Underwood Expects Basis To Be Reached Before.
 Dec. 1, However
Washington Bureau)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.AAlthough Muscle Shoals will be the single out standing feature of the congressional ses- sion rapidly approaching, no one of the factors interested in the solution of that problem has a plan prepared. Senator Oscar W. Underwood Of Alabama, in an interview today, admitted as much He stated, luther, that the committee of citi- zens of north Alabama with which he has conferred, and J. W. Worthington, Washington representative of the Ten nessee River Improvement association, are equally as much fin the air"
 Before the beginning of the session, December 1, however, Senator Under wood intimated that a plan will have been devised which in all probability can be put through congress before adjourn ment, March 4. It is not the purpose of those most interested in Muscle Shoals to request a postponement of the issue, he said, and he declared the re- publican organization, with prospect of the dams completion in July, could not afford to leave the job unfinished during a recess of congress.
 Have One Objective
 "There is just one objective we must reach" said the senator, "that is, that following the completion of the dam, the plant be maintained for purposes of war, which means that in time of peace, fertilizer will be produced. As soon as we are made aware of certain circum-N stances and conditions, we can pro- ceed. At the present time we do not know what attitude the administration will assume and whether we can sup port or must combat that attitude. I will ascertain necessary facts as-s soon as the secretary of war returns to Wash ington. In the second place, it is possi ble, even if improbable, that another offer will be submitted as satisfactory to our people as was the Henry Ford offer. In that event we would support it, of course"
 Underlying all that Senator Under wood said was the suggestion that un- less the unexpected happens, the Muscle Shoals advocates will support govern ment ownership. In that connection, the senator said:
 T am not a government ownership man. But in consideration of national defense, government operation at Muscle Shoals would not be obnoxious. Other wise, we could not tolerate the govern ment maintaining at great expense large fleet which for nine-tenths of the time is unnecessary.
 Objects to Norris Bill
 "The Norris bill is not as satisfac- tory, in my opinion, as a kindred bill we put through the senate some time ago. Senator Norris has provided for the construction of additional dams and storage facilities, which provisions would make the measure difficult of passage. We may proceed on the theory that if dam No. is successful, other dams, in time, will be built, and not so burden our bill as to delay completed action"
 As to whether an attempt would be made to amend the Norris bill, or whether a new bill, constructed on the lines of that he introduced some years ago, will be presented, the senator did not say. He gave it as his opinion that Muscle Shoals advocates should bend themselves in an effort to obtain the main objective, and not bubble as to the authorship of legislation or the bestowal of credit.
 Senator Underwood gave it as infor- nation that north Alabama will be by a committee in Wash ington within the next few days.