The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-08
PROP AGANDA TO SCATTER FORD'S
 SUPPORT FAILS
COngresslnen Unm0ved By Power Trust--Harri-
 son Defends Ford
WASHINGTON BUREAU)

WASHINGTON, D. G., Feb. r. Propaganda of the Alabama Power company, having for it's object the scat tering of support of Henry Ford for Muscle Shoals. has failed to turn sim gle member of congress, it is apparent today. The argument of the power com. pany is that each state of the south is entitled to. surplus power to be de- veloped at Muscle Shoals.
 Senator Pat Harrison of Mississippi, in a statement today, declares that Mis-. sissippi will get its share of the sur. plus power, but that to amend the bill specifically so to provide, ,1would defeat the bill. Certain Mississippians have appealed to the Mississippi delegation in the interest of the power conpany's $ monopoly" offer. The delegation, how ever stands firm. Senator Harrison said
 My position with respect to the Ford proposal is unchanged. l realize that there is minority sentiment in Mississippi against the government ac- ceptarice of the Ford offer to develop Muscle Shoals. respect the opinion of that minority, but I believe, after having studied the question for four years and listened to hundreds of wit. nesses and having read thousands of pages of testimony relating to the va rious proposals respecting this devel- 0pment that the wisest course to pur- sue is to accept the Ford offer.
 Gives Ford Credit
 When Ford made, his offer guaran-. teeing to manufacture nitrates for fer tilizer and complete the Muscle Shoals project, it was so remarkable as to be startling. It was at that time when the present administration had refused for over two years to make an appro- priatiOn to carry on this development The nitrate plants were deteriorating the machinery was rusting, the compile. tion of the dams was begging deferred and no work was being undertaken by the federal government except to guard the property against stealth.
 Some of us, in both the house and senate, especially the Mississippi dele, gation. made every effort to obtain ap Fpropriations to carry out this work The republicai ma jopity turned | down. Thefefefs when fiit s1fnrd offel was submitted, which giarailteed :fs the government "a reimbursement ol every cent It had expended amountins to nearly n hundred million dollars assuring the nayigability of the Ten nessee river, the development of this great natural resource, and a gunrantee of giving to the farmers of the country fertilizers at greatly reduced rates. the wise thing for the congress to do was to have accepted it immediately.
 The dilly daily and vascillating pol icy of the last two congresses, with respect to this development, has caused the American farmers in particular and the American people in general, loss of millions of dollars.
 Not Worried About Mississippi
 Il want to see Mississippi obtain it's pro rata part of the power that is gen. erated over and above that necessary in times of war to make nitrates for combustibles, and in times of peace, nitrates for fertilizer. | have not the slightest doubt because of the proximity of Mississippi to this great natural re- source, and because it offers the most inviting field for power transmission and utilization, that no matter who may obtain the lease or who may develop the power, Mississippi will receive it's pro rata part. But we are tod by the representatives of MT. Ford that should proposal be amended by the congress to insure Mississippi obtaining it's pro rata part of the excess power, that the bid will be withdrawn.
 Jeoparilizins Whole Proposition
 "Furtherm0re, such an effort 10 amend the proposal would pave the way for other amendments in the interest of other states, and would place the whole proposition in jeopardy and practically insure it's defeat.
 Tn view of these factsSand the many benefits that will come to the south and the nation generally by the gov ernment acceptance of the Ford pro- posal, expect to vote in the commit tee for and champion on the floor of the senate the Ford proposal without modification or change. Others may differ from me as to fhe wisdom of that course, but having the interest of my state at heart, l believe that it is the only way in which to have this devel- Opment completed at an, early date, with all the natural and beneficial re- suits flowing therefrom. When the congress shall have accepted the Ford offer, Mississippi can be assured that Congressman Quinn, who has cham pioned the acceptance of the Ford offer in the military affairs committee of the house, having this matter in charge ill that branch of congress as well as every member of the congress from Mississip- pi, and myself, will immediately urge upon Henry Ford the transmission of excess power into Mississippi.
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