The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-27
ORDER SUSPENDED
 UNTIL AUGUST 6
Rumor Says Steel Corpo. ration Taking Part
 In Plan 2
EFFORT IS MADE BY
 ENEMIES OF MOBILE
Ashburn Regrets Turn Of
 Events Feeling Alabama United For Warrior
(Washington Bureau.)

WASHINGTON, July 26.-The order making the Warrior river operation independent of the Mis- sissippi river operation, issued some days ago by Gen. T. Q. Ashburn, executive in charge of governmental inland waterways navigation, has been suspended until August 6, when the newly appointed advisory committee will convene in Wash ington.
 Announcement to this effect was made this morning by John ". Weeks, secretary of war. The cause of the suspension is at- tributed by the secretary "to nu- merous protests from points on the Warrior, and especially Birnains- ham, against the proposed separate operation" Mir. Weeks declined to name the individuals or corpora tions from whom protests had been received, or to elaborate regarding the basis of the protests.
 Some Blame Brent
 There is a sub-rosa lntimation both at the war department and the office of General Ashhurn that the protests l received by the secretary were inspired l hy TheednFe Brent of New OfleSne l formerly federal manager of the Mis- sissippi- Warrior system. Under the proposed separate operation, Brent would be reduced from q position in which he exercised almost arbitrary authority to one of relatively minor importance, that of traffic manager of both systems. 1t Is understood here that Brent rather bitterly opposed the proposed separate operation, and there is rumor that the protests, which have resulted in suspending the order, originated with him and were ex- pressed by those in sympathy with his attitude.
 Effort to draw an expression to the above effect from the secretary or Gen. eral Ashburn, however, was unavail- ing. Both declared that they would not discuss any controversial topic bearing on the situation unti! after the advisory committee had been convened and apprised of all pertinent facts.
 Both Surprised !
 While the Secretary and General Ashburn declined to go deeply into the causes which suggested the suspensi0n of the order providing for q separa- tion of the Warrior and Mississippi. neither made an effort to conceal his surprise and regret that protests have been uttered. Prior to the publication of the order, General Ashburn was of the opinion that Alabama was unani- mously in favor of plan which would tend to cut red tape" and eliminate overlapping in the operation of the two streams; inspire greater initiative on the part of employees; force each enter prise to stand on it's own bottom, and produce an immediate net reduction in overhead expenses of $125, ,000 per an. mum.
 The report that Brent inspired the protests, while not conceded to be true at government departments, is believed by certain interested members of Con. gross who declared themselves today as indignant. The former federal man. ager has never acquired wide populari- ty in Alabama because of a belief in Mobile. which taking the form of nc. tual complaint, received the attention of General Ashburn some months ago, that he had tended to discriminate in his official procedure in favor of the Mississippi as against the Warrior.
 From an investigation made by the correspondent of this newspaper, fol. lowing the suspension of the order of separation, it is strongly indicated that the protests of whatever inspiration will amount to nothing more serious than delay. It is predicted that the order eventually will be effective. It is known that Weeks and Ashburn heart.
 (COntinued on Page TwO.)