Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-10-15
FORD AND MUSCLE SHOALS

FOND AND MOoSI6 oVSDsS
The World Series. vigorous COM
pstitor OF presidential politics. being
removed from the field OF public In
f&rest comes a resurrection OF aues-
lions pertaining to the disposition of
Muscle Shoals and Henry Ford's Of
fer.
He now announces that he with
draws his bid. Notwithstanding 1t has
been Accepted by the House. which
voted last March e2s to 142 to let
him have dominance OF the power
cfipirs Of the great Midwest. and 10
scheduled to come up In the Senate
carly in December. Yet Ford would
have US belieye that his enterprises
are haovipg no fast they cannot Long
or wait but must look for power
elsewhere; that productive business
cannot wait on politicians.
What Is there about the situation
which convinces Ford that he has
much longer to walt? This seems to
be somewhat OF a conundrum. Here
10 100000 horsepower In the center
Of q population OF eighteen million
people successful In enterprise and
capable OF needing great power de-
vetopment. All over the country are
farmers eagerly looking for cheap
fertilizers. Ford said that there he
could make this country independent
Of Chile in the matter OF nitrates.
This has been tempting bait
held before the farmers. but Ford
Would not come under obligation
other than pride In his word to mako
fertilizers. and he and his mere word
Gnnnot exist for many years.
lie offers s5.000.00O for a plant
which cost the government In time
df war a hundred million. but he
exacts that the government shall ex-
pend forty-two millions in building
two dams. He proposed to limit his
profts on fertilizer to eight percent.
but In that Ia no assurance the price
of the product would be lower than
that Of the commercial fertilizer. lie
would have lease for a hundred
years. double tho length OF leases
permitted by the Federal Water
Power Act. and during mat hundred
years would agree to pay to the gov
eminent the sum Of Seta.400. 900.
Figure that out by interest tables
and see what Uncle Sam Is really
h get out OF hts hundred million
plant plus tho expenditure OF forty
two millions more, and no one come
uuder bonds to do any specific thing
ID return.
We howl about oil interests getting
possession Of our oil wells. and
slightly. but never howl about
Henry Ford and his heirs getting
possession OF a power empire in the
heart Of this great country.
But there Is something to be said
on the other side Il we had any as
surance that Ford would do what he
doubtless intended to do but did not
oblikate himself to do. A year ago
he severely criticised Secretary
weeks, charging him with an effort
to break up this great enterprise and
peddie II out. He was lacking. how
ever. In proof for his charges. New
erth<less II Is apparent Ford's offer
did check policies which tended to
get the government out Of the situa-
tion without much regard TO the
public need for proper development
VI the great possibilities there in
VOWED.
Ford now urges the public not to
permit this plant to be disintegratcd.
He would trust the army engineers
10 handle the enterprise II the poll
tieians would keep their hands OF.
but thinks the Presidents plan for
q. comniission is perhaps the best ar
rangtment. 1t is noticeable too,
that he 10 careful not to declare there
IL no possibility OF his consenting to
take over, the properties. but says
the government must now make its
offer.
An things considered one may net
secaps the surmase that Mr.. Ford.
sA>ing = likelihood Of being held up
II Congress ~ . would be Srabber
q . mighty power domain surpass-
Ing In future potentiality the dreams
a petentAtes wishes to place him.
sAlf In q position where he can say:
4 will only take It as 4 favor to
you."
N surely IL not very compliment
cry to our Government II 1t b UNI
able to secure any better arrange
ASnt than that proposed by Ford.
but which he now withdrawal II 10
rightly hesitant about mourning the
ttspAhdous costs OF government
management. and II 10 forced to con-
slider the hopes OF the farmers who
think Ford can and will fertilise
l4nds for 4 song.
In his bitter attack upon Secretary
Weeks Ford said. even II the
rs1nds Of John W. Weeks should