The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-01
BEST MINDS SEE. SENATE DEFEAT
 IN SHOALS BILL
Expect Acceptance Of Coolidge Plan For A
 Special Committee

r. WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.--After heinz tossed about in congress TOT two and one-half years, the question or dls, posing of the giant gOvernment-owneu power nitrate project at Muscle Snoals will come up the senate again tom0rro" under A special agreement entered lnIo during the closing days of the last ses- sion. .. With the withdrawal of his offer for the project by Henry Ford. the uncer- tain situation in the senate witn re mpect to the projects fate has become further beclouded. The present ou!look joints to further delay Tn determhn'hs what shall be done with 1t. The best minds in the senate are vlr- t,aIIv unanimous in the opinion that neither the Ford bid, which is still sub iect to a vote in the upper body despite its withdrawal, and the government op- eratiop plan sponsored by Chairman Norris. of the agricultural committee, will be accepted. They believe that oe- feat of both proposals may result Tn ,ccentance of President Coolidges sug- gestion for appointment of Joint con Sressional committee, "to consider ot- fers. conduct negotiations, and report definite recommendations. Hnouiu these predictions bear out, it IS obvious that the plan for final disposition or the project could not be worked out Dy the committee and put through congress at least a year and one-half or more.
 Ford Bid Rejected
 Ford's offer to take over the entire properties at Muscle Shoals was re- jected by the agriculture committee last session after it had received favoraoie sanction by the house. During sessions of the committee Ford was bitterly at- tackled by Chairman Norris and later Tn the majority report of the committee Norris hinted a political deal between President Coolidge and Ford.
 Charging that his proposal had become A political football, Ford early in Octo- ber informed President Coolidge that he had decided to withdraw his bid for the project. He stated that his plans could not be held up by delay in congress, which he declared was unnecessary.
 Ford in response to invitations ex- tended by Secretary of War Weeks, SUD- mitted his offer on July s, 1921. Weeks transmitted the bid to congress Februa. j. 2 1922. along with bids of the Alabama Power company, the Union Carbide company and the Hooker hhlte-Atter- bury gr D. ..
 A week later the military committee of the house began hearings on Muscle Shoals legislation and after lenghtiy consideration rejected all but Ford hid. His offer was incorporated in a bill presented to the house for 1avoraDle action, June 9, 1922, by Representative Mckenzie of Illinois. Hearings in the senate were held by the agriculture com mittee and tie Ford plan and the MOTHS government ownership proposal Dotn were submitted to the senate without recommendation. Congress adjourned March 4, the following year, without taking action in either body on the pro- posals submitted by their committees.
 When the sixty-eighth congress con- yened in December, 1923, the house com init lee again he'd hearings on bids foi thej project and for the second time v ssdctioned the Ford plan and submitted if to the house. On March 4, 1924, de bate began in the house on the MIG Kenzie bill, embodying the Ford plan and continued until March 10. Oppo nents of the auto-magnate' offer made number of unsuccessful attempts to amend the proposal by placing it under the federal water power act, On March 10 the bill was passed with but few minor amendments by a vote of 227 to 142
 The senate agriculture committee be- gan consideration of the Mckenzie Dill and other offers last spring ant after hearings extending. until late 1T May voted to substitute the Norris plar in the Mckenzie bill-in place of tho Ford plan. The offers of the Alabama Power company, the Union Carbide company, the Hooker group and pro posal of ex-Congressman Lloyd to de velop the project with the governmen! holding title to the properties, were al rejected. The committee rejected thu Ford bill by vote of Il to with on' senator voting present. The Norris pla1 was substituted for the Ford plan b! a vote of Il to with two senators voting present.
 The Norris plan was submitted to th' senate on June 1 with favorable recon mendations. Congress had already mad plans to adjourn June and supporter of the Ford offer threatened to blocl adjournment unless Muscle Shoals legis lation was considered. After consider able pickering, the agreement was reach ed to postpone consideration until tn session opening tomorrow.