The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-14
Organizations Declares Ac- ceptance Of Ford Offer
 Means Much To Growers

WASHINGTON. Jan 13. - The AmericAn Farm Bureau federation in a letter sent today to members of Congress renewed its indorsement of Henry Ford's offer for Muscle Shoals. and declared that its acceptance would be the first step In securing for the farmer lower cost factors or production and distribution.
 "Cheap fertilizer as . low cost fac- tor in production" said the letter, 'is a necessity if we are to main- tain our yields and protect the fer tility of soils.
 Cheap electric power produced upon low-interest amortEation Is a vital factor in our agricultural life and promises one contribution to the solution of our present trans- portation difficulties.
 Nitrate Imports cited.
 During the fiscal year ending Juno 30, 1923, there was imported S96,99s long tons of nitrate of soda On this importation the consumer In America. whether farmer using this nitrate of soda as a fertilizer or a commercial or explosive industry us- ing it as raw material. paid tax to the treasury of the Chilean govern ment of S311, 1,239, ,3S4.s4. That is. this purely artificial addition to tho com mercial value of nitrate of soda cost the consumer in this country over 10 per cent interest on the wartime ex- penditure at the Muscle Shoals nitrate plants. including the dam. In other words, the guarantee to manufacture 10000 tons of fixed nitroge thunder the Ford proposal is equivalent to an offer of $200, 100000 for the Muscle Shoals nitrate plants, because the taxpayers today are paying to Chile interest at the rate of 1-2 per cent on s200.00o,000.
 "In addition, an item that Is often overlooked Is the net losses and ex- penses at Muscle Shoals since the armistice, and up to June 30, 1925. This totals, in spite of credits for the leasing of power plant, $7,s75,o0o. Could Cut Cost In Half.
 Numerous authorities can be cited that, with this development utilized in the manufacture of fertilizer. the price of fertilizer can be reduced one- half.
 "The annual expenditure of the farmers for fertilizer in this coun- try over the past five years has been in round numbers $300.000,000 a year. CuTIlnK In1S udlI WOutu nave saved the farmers $150.000.000 a year. or to put In in another way. the con- tinued idleness of the Muscle Shoals development since 1918 has cost the farmers of the country $76o,oo0. .o0O."
 The letter in conclusion said:
 Early Decision Possible.
 Fortunately. the consideration of the Ford proposal has reached a legislative position where 1t should not take long for Congress to reach a decision on this matter. For three years the American Farm Bureau federation in national convention and local conventions have passed reso- lutions asking Congress to accept the Ford proposal for Muscle Shoals. Two Congresses have adjourned with out action on this question. Ex- haustive and complete hearings have been held before the committees of Congress.
 vDuring this time the farmers throughout the country have studied this offer. We know what Mir. Ford and his company jointly and severally have definitely obligated themselves to do if given the opportunity, and we ask that this Congress give a vote by roll call at this time, for we cannot believe that further de- lay is necessary or justifiable."