The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-27
SHOALS POWER
ISSUE AT LAST
NEAR DECISION
Victory in Congress for
Private Interests is
impossible.
This is the fourth 81 series on the
power situation Of today.
BY THOMAS L. STOKES
United Press STAFF Correspondent


WASHINGTON. Nov d. - A
showdown on the sFuscle Shoals is
sue at the coming aession Of con-
gress appeared likely today.
It is probable that the long night
between power interests and advo-
Gates Of government operation may
end with victory for the latter,
but whether that result will be a
clear-cut victory was uncertain.
There also is probability that
there may be another stalemate, but
a victory for the latter, but whether
that result will be a clear-cut vic
tory was uncertain.
There also is probability that
there may be another stalemate, but
q victory for private operation is
impossible, as the senate will not
yield in its advocacy of the Nor
ris bill for government operation.
1t is likely that the conference
between house and senate over the
Reece private operation bill, passed
by the former, and the Norris bill
will break up soon after congress
meets, with a decision to report
disagreement back to each body,
which will open the way for vote
by each on the issue.
Smell Ready Cor Vote
This is the outcome expected by
Chairman Smell of the house rules
committee, long a foe Of govern
tment l7eration, and he is ready for
"a vote 20 get the matter out of
the way" as he puts it.
But Smell stands ready o cripple
a victory for government Operation,
if there is ore, by opposing further
appropriations necessary to COM
plete the giant wartime project
and make it a major government
owned power plant that can sell
electricity far and wide to consum-
ers in towns and cities in Alabama
and adjoining states.
Without further appropriations,
81 would be impossible to complete
Dam No. 2 and to build the pro-
posed dam at Cove creek in Ten
nessee, the latter to cost $6O,0OO,OO0,
which would give the government
q real hydro electric plant. The
project would be left just where it is.
Norris Is Hopeful
Smell also doubts that the gov
brnment, without further appropri-
ations, would be able to put in its
own transmission lines and COM
pete with the Alabama Power Com
pany, which now is buying power
from the government and distribut-
ing it to towns and cities through
Cts own transmission lines.
In other words. the Alabama Pow
er Company is already set up to
continue business, while the gov
eminent would have to start from
scratch.
Senator Norris, author Of the
senate government operation bill,
took SHELLS move philosophically.
IF government operation is voted,
do not worry about appropria-
tions," he said. 1--WE will get them.
Up to Hoover
Under my bill, however, the gov
eminent could build its own trans
mission lines from proceeds of the
sale Of power and OFFER it to cities
at a cheaper rate than could the
Alabama Power Company. OF course
we'd have to go out and get the
business first, but that would come
If We sold power cheaper"
The final issue still rests with
President Hoover. Those who have
visited him lately continue to insist
he would veto a government opera
ton bill. This would take two thirds
to override, and there does not APP
pear to be enough strength for that.