San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-28
WEEKS ON THE STAND
Agriculture Committee of
Senate Questions Sec {
rotary Of War. !
REASON FOR SUPPORT?
Seek to Learn If Matter
Affected Ford's En-
y
dorsement.

Washington, d. c.. April 2S-Pres-
ident Coolidge was quoted in a tele-
gram produced today at the Senate
MUSCLE Shoals hearing as having stat
cd that he was trying 'to deliver"
Muscle Shoals to Henry Ford.
The telegram was sent by James
Martin Miller to the Dearborn INDIE
pendent, Ford's newspaper, on Octo-
Der u. 1923. In offering the tele-
gram, CHAIRMAN Norris said the White
House records showed that Miller had
an interview with the President thae.
day.
The telegram read:
an private interview had vita
President Coolidge this morning, he
said incidentally:
at am friendly to Mr.. Ford, but
wish someone would convey to him
that it is my hope that Mr.. Ford will
not do or say anything that will make
it difficult for me to deliver Muscle
Shoals to him, which l am trying to
do While President didn't say so.
am sure Weeks had been consulting
with President this morning in view
Mr.. Ford's reported interview today's
papers"
Weeks on Stand
The telegram was addressed to
william J. Cameron. or Ernest G..
Liebold," in care of the Independent.
Liebold is Ford's secretary, The mes
sage was one of those subpoenaed by
the committee Saturday. Secretary
Weeks was on the stand when it was
offered but declared he did not know
Miller. When the war secretary took
the stand the first request put to him
by Chairman Norris. was for an ex-
PLANTATION of why Word got over his
anger toward President Coolidge and
the administration after an interview
at the White House.
THAT is evidence that he is a sensi-
bic man." Mr.. Weeks replied.
That is also evidence that he has
some reason for changing" Chairman
Norris retorted.
The war secretary said he conferred
with the President before he issued a
statement replying to an attack by
Ford several months ago.
Before Ford interviewed the Press
ident." he said. 'he called at my of
flee with his secretary and said he had
come to pay his respects and did noe
at that time talk business in connee-
ton with Muscle Shoals"
Secretary Weeks said Ford's an.
ger was aimed at him, and not at the
President because of the sale of the
Gorgas power plant, unit of the
Muscle Shoals project. TO the Alabama
Power Company. He added that he
took full responsibility for the reply
made to Ford.
Against Long Contract.
81 am interested in Muscle
standpoint of my official capacity"
adding that he opposed the Ford bid
because he did not believe it was the
best offer.
Naturally" be said. II felt grieved
that any insiuuations had been made
that l was interested because. of spe-
cial interests"
In reply 10 a question by Senator
McNary. Republican. Oregon. &r.
Weeks said he had studied the Hook
er-White-AtterbUry proposal n a Sss:-
eral way and he would be glad 20
have the chief OF engineers study II
it and make recommendations.
Il think the government can dis
pose of Muscle Shoals under bef-
ter terms than any Of the present
he added. Il am orpoeej
TO government operation and -hNk Ne
could enter into a limited partner
ship with some private enterprise
The witness said he doubted the
wisdom of entering any binding con-
tract for 80 wears.
Later Chairman Norris explsinrt
that Miller was employed BY Ford
Dearborn Independent. Decision 10
put the telegram into the recarc Was
made at an executive meeting as the
committee before The public seSrms
was opened.
Secretary Weeks ss,er eS5Sladln<
his testimony. wcat to the Wni,e
(ContirucJ on nest psEe.l