The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-22
NEW SHOALS BILL
 PROVIDES LEASE OR OPERATION
Stipulations Of Under wood Measure Are Re-
 vealed By Democrats
CONGRESS TO NAME
 TERMS OF CONTRACT
Must Be Leased 6 Months After Completion Of
 Wilson Dam
(Washington Bureau)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.- Despite the attitude of John w. Weeks, Secretary of War progress was made today by democratic senators in prepar. ing a bill authorizing the per. manent disposition of Muscle Shoals. The bill will be intro duced on the first day of the session, December 1, by Sena, tor Oscar w. Underwood, of Alabama, and it will have the support, according to present indication, of all democrats It will provide that if the gov ernment has not entered into a contract with responsible people on terms to be stlpu- lated by congress within six months following the compile tion of Wilson dam, the gov ernment itself shall operate all Muscle Shoals plants.
 The bill will provide that the plants be maintained in a standby coneitlon nn for war purposes, and that 4V'VoV toiis of nitrogen for fertilizer be produced annually. All power above that required in fertilizer productions and ,experlmen, n, ton shall be sold to the public, It VIII be provided, under restrictions or law If lease is made, it shall be for only fifty years, it will be provided.
 Conference Held
 Senator Underwood, Senator Pat Harrison, and others conferred today' and were in agreement, 1t was an nounced A conference will be held by Senator Underwood and senators from all other southern states next week, It is announced. If democrats agree, as IS anticipated, Senator Underwood Will confer with Senator Georeg w. Norrls, of Nebraska, who is sponsoring Il gov ernment operation bill regarded by democrats as more cumbersome and in volyed than that Underwood IS pre- ,aring. If differences between demo- crats and Norris cannot be reconciied, they will have to be rought out, it IS understood.
 Secretary Weeks is believed to be op- posed to any scheme which would com mite the government to the operation of the plants and the production of fertilizer. It is understood that he is of the opinion that President Coolidge would veto any bill containing those or simular provisions. Never theless demo- crats will remain by their guns. Re garding the attitude of Weeks, Senator Harrison today declared himself in typical salty" manner.
 Weeks To Oppose It
 Weeks, know, will oppose any thing that we want" he said. "He is in favor of the congress accepting the bid of E. H. IIooxer and associates, among whom is included w. w. Alter bury, vice president of the Pennsylvania railroad. and a heavy contributor to the recent republican campaign fund. the Hooker offer is sponsored by Senator James w. Wa&swortn, or New York, and it is apparent that, that senator, with the support of Weeks and possibly the entire adminstrqfion, will lead the opposition against the Underwood bill. !"
 Asked if Weeks was not inclined to accept the offer of the Alabama Power company, Senator Harrison replied that in his opinion, Weeks favored the Hooker offer because he knew and the Power company knew that it would be impossible to put their scheme through congress.
 Against Hooker Offer
 Senator Harrison announced un- changeable opposition to the Hooker offer. That offer, if accepted, would put the government in partnership with Hooker with the result that the govern ment, having built properties, would share in the cost of operation, and in the resultant profits.