The Coconino sun., 1925-01-09
MUSCLE SHOALS IN A NUTSHELL

There has been enough talk and comment about
Muscle Shoals during the last two years to con-
fuse most people Here is the whole story in
nutshell.
Just before the United States entered the World
war; it was realized by authorities that there was
an inadequate supply of nitrogen for fertilizer
purposes. The national defense act of 1915 au-
thorized the president to select a damsite and
build an air nitrogen plant for the purpose of
making air nitrogen for making powder in case of
war and furnishing fertilizer in time of peace. The
act appropriated $20000,000.
Under that act President Wilson selected Mus
Gle Shoals as the SITE Portions of the $20,00O,0OO
and other sums turned over to the president,
we're allocated for the construction of nitrate
plant No. / and nitrate plant No. q and after the
war portion was allocated for the building of
dam No. 2.
The government has invested at Muscle Shoals
about $50, 100000 outside dam No. 2 and when
completed dam No. 2 will cost about S45, 100000
more.
Henry Ford's proposition was before congress
some time without acceptance; when Mr.. Ford
withdrew it. Senator Norris then presented bill
providing in substance for the government opera
ton of the whole enterprise. This was offered
as a substitute for the Ford proposition. In the
meantime the ordnance bureau of the war de-
partment prepared bill providing for a corpora
tion 60 operate the plants. That bill passed the
senate but failed Of passage in the house. That
bill was followed by another making an appropra-
II0n OF 5lU,UUU,UUU 10 cOLlplcGC QdIu mo. Z. IHdI
has passed the senate but the house refused to
accept it. A few years ago congress changed it's
mind and appropriated enough money to finish
dam No 2, and it will be completed by next July
The Norris bill provides for government compile
ton of dam No and the establishment of great
reservoir dams for the development of electric
power. The bill creates a government corporation
to develop power; and turns over to the depart
ment of agriculture the making of nitrogen for
defense and for fertilizer. The bill provides for
further investigation in the matter of producing
nitrate from the air, which thus far has not prov
ed a success.
The Underwood plan, modified to meet the sug.
gestions Of the war department and the president
provides for leasing within reasonable time, and
if no lessee is found by July next willing to pay
the government four per cent on all the govern
ment money invested, and produce 10000 tons of
nitrogen annually, then government corporation
is to be organized with five directors, all stock to
be owned by the government. The corporation
must produce 10000 tons of nitrogen annually for
fertilizer, which is equal to about 1000 tons of
Chilean satDeter. or about 100000 tons of ordi-
nary fertilizer used by the farmers.
The south and the east supports the Underwood
bill, while the west leans toward the Norris bill
The south has enlisted the east to get its capital
The east is looking for good investments and for
national defense.
The biggest chance for the Underwood bill lies
in the support it is receiving from the president
The public viii rejoice when the matter is safely
through congress and out of the way