Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-04-29
COOLIDGE QUOTED
As TRYING To GIVE
SHOALS TO FORD
IS Stated in Telegram From
Auto Manufacturers Rep
resentative Sent After
White House Interview

gram produced today at the senate
Muscle Shoals hearing, as having
stated that he was @ying to "deliv-
err Muscle Shoals to Henry Ford
The telegram was sent by James
Martin Miller to the Dearborn INDIE
pendent, Ford's newspaper, on DC
tober -, 1928 In offering the tele.
gram, Chairman Norris said the
White House records showed that
Miller had an interview with the
president that day.
The telegram read:
Washington, October II, 1928.
ITO William J. Cameron or Err
nest G. Liebold,
Care Dearborn Independent.
Dearborn, Mich.
"In private interview had with
President Coolidge this morning he
said incidentally: I am friendly to
Mr.. Ford, but wish some one would
convey to him that it is my hope
that Mr.. Ford will not do Oh say
ANYTHING that will make it difficult
for me to deliver Muscle Shoals to
him, which 1 am trying to do
"While president didn't say so, am
sure Weeks has been in consultation
with president this morning in view
Mr.. Ford's reported interview to-
days papers. ~
JAMES MARTIN MILLEH.
National Press CitN,
Washington, d. c"
The message was one of thops,
subpoenaed by the committee SatWs
day. Secretary Weeks was on thu
stand when it was offered, but de.
clared he did not know Miller.
Later Chairman Norris explained
that Miller was employed by Fords
Dearborn Independent.
Decision to put the telegram into
the record was made at an eXecu,
tive session of the committee be-
fore the public hearings were opened.
Weeks On Stand
When Secretary Weeks took the
stand Chairman Norris, Of the senate
agriculture committee, asked the see,
rotary if he could explain to the
committee why Ford got over his
anger toward President Coolidge and
the administration after an inter.
view in the White House"
"That is evidence that he is
sensible man." Secretary Weeks re-
piled.
THAT is also evidence that he
had some reason for changing,
countered Chairman Norris.
Il am opposed to the Ford offer
because / do not believe it is the
best offer. ] have not been familiar
with it for a year, because it has
not been in my hands, said Weeks.
Weeks expressed surprise at learn.
ing of the Miller telegram and said
he did not believe the president made
any such statement. He disclaimed
any knowledge Of the presidents
present stand on Muscle Shoals.
Weeks said he conferred with the
president before he issued his state
ment replying to Ford's letter.
Before Ford interviewed the pres
ident he called at my office with his
secretary and said he had come to
pay his respects, and did not at that
time talk business in connection
with Muscle Shoals" the secretary
declared.
"Ford's anger was aimed at me
because of the sale of the Gorges
plant" Mr.. Weeks continued. II
take the responsibility for the state
ment issued after Ford made his
statement to the press
II am interested in Muscle Shoals
only from the standpoint of my Off
cial capacity. Naturally I felt griev.
ed that any insinuations had been
made that L was interested because
of special interests" Weeks said.
In reply to a question by Senator
McNary, Republican, Oregon, Weeks
said he had studied the Hooker.
White-Atterbury proposal in a gen.
eral\way, and he would be glad to
have the chief OF engineers study
the offer and make recommends
tions.
The chief Of engineers will be
heard Wednesday, Chairman Norris
said
Believes Better Terms Possible
Il think the government can dis
pose of Muscle Shoals under better
terms than any of the present con
tracts" Weeks said.
II am opposed to government
operation and think we could enter
into a limited partnership with some
private enterprise"
He said he doubted the wisdom of
entering any binding contract for
fifty years.
I'm three years you will be able
to carry power anywhere east or
west OF the Mississippi river by
means Of an inter-connecting trans.
mission lines" he said. "If, by res.
son of drOuth, some section needed
power, a telephone call would bring
it,
This whole question revolyes
around nitrates, and it will take four
or five years 8 to find out what
process is best because this whole in.
dustry is in its inSa7-c-'
Morris l.. Cook, director of the
pennsylvania general power sers
ice, followed the war secretary on
the stand and said 'it is grea:
mistake to look upon Muscle Shoals
as simply power plant"
Muscle Shoals, instead of being
regarded simply as site for power
can be made a, social influence nv
radiating power over great dis
tances," he added
Chairman Norris said w B. Msyo.
Ford's chief engineer, was in the
city and would testify this week.
Governor Pinchot Of Pennsylva.
mia, will testify tomorrow.
Secretary Weeks after concluding
his testimony went to the White
House to discuss with President
Coolidge the Miller telegram.
L. w. Wallace, representing a
committee appointed by the AMER
'can engineers council. read a report
by the committee recommending a
Continued on Page 2. Column ~