The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-11-24
BAT TIE
DUE SOON IN
SENATE
Curtis, Administration Leader,
Favors SaIeNorris to
Urge Old Bill
BY WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON,
international News Service.

International News Service.
The, Governments huge $780,
100000 waterpower project at
Muscle Shoals, Ala, today threat
ened to grow into an Administra-
tive white elephant" due to the
sharp division in Congress be-
tween advocates and opponents
Of Federal ownership.
The Senate will begin formal
consideration Wednesday two
days after Congress convenes
Of plans for selling or leasing the
project, with it's great resources
for the manufacture of cheap
fertilizer. An early decision, how
ever, appears impossible because
Of the clash in opinions between
those favoring Government opera
ton and various groups advocat.
ing sale to private interests.
Back To Committee.
The situation has been further
complicated by the recent. action
Of Henry Ford in withdrawing his
offer for lease Of the project. The
House accepted Ford's offer many
months ago and his withdrawal win
force reconsideration of the whole
question in the lower branch of Con.
greSs.
To prevent a direct fight on the
'loor Of the Senate over Govern.
nent ownership, administration
eaders today sponsored a plan for
committing the problem to- the
Senate Agricultural Committee. A
combination of Southern Senators,
Who favored Ford's Offer. with the
Administration group will probably
result in this action and q fur
her pSstponement Of any final de-
ision toward future operation Of
he project.
Three Plans i'm Sight.
Three plans meanwhile remain
before Congress. These are:
Creation of Government cor
poration to operate the plant, pro.
posed by Senator Norris (Rep.) Of
Nebraska, and recommended by a
majority Of the Senate Agriculture
Committee;
Recommendation Of President
Coolidge for creation If a Federal
commission to dispose Of the
project;
Proposal Of group opposing
Government ownership to turn the
project over toj Secretary of War
Weeks for disposal to private in.
erests upon terms to be ratified
by Congress.
Curtis Fayors Sale.
Administration leaders in Con.
sress favor the latter plan over
President Coolidge's proposal. It's
chief prepayment has been Senator
Curtis (RJ of Kansas, who may be
the next Republican floor leader
Of the Senate.
~ believe the whole problem
should be referred back to the
Agriculture Committee because OF
the withdrawal of Ford's offer"
said Curtis today. II personally
favor disposal Of the project to
some private interests on terms
which win safeguard the Govern.
ment's interests and insure produS.
ton Of cheap fertilizer for Ameri.
can farmers. I believe that the
contract for lease or sale Of the
project should be made by the
Secretary of War, but subject to
the approval Of Congress.
Senator Norris, leading advocate
of Government ownership of tho
site, meanwhile announced his op-
position to such a plan.
II will oppose any effort to have
the shoals turned over to the Sec
rotary Of War or a Government
commission for disposition" Norris
declared. ~ believe the people
should retain direct title to this
great natural resource and have
it operated directly for their bene-
fit. / shall press my bill, recon-
mended by the Agriculture Com
mittee, for creating a Government
corporation to operate the project. >
First Unit Nearly Ready.
The first unit of power produced
at the shoals will be ready for use
June J., according to an announce
ment Of Secretary Weeks, and will
mark virtual completion of the
great Wilson dam. Although sew
eral years Of work remains to be
done before the whole project will
be completed, operation of it can
start on that date, Weeks said.
This announcement. undoubtedly,
will hurry Congressional action on