Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-01
SHOALS FIGHT END
IN 3 DAYS is seen
Watson Predicts Quick Dis.
position of Norris
Resolution.

DISPOSITION of the Norris resolutions
providing for Government operations of.
the Muscle Shoals, Ala, nitrate and
power plant by the Senate within two
or three days was predicted today by
Senator Watson of Indiana. the Re
publican leader, as the resolution was
laid before the Senate.
Senator Norris, Republican, Nebraska,
upon this assurance agreed to defer
immediate consideration of the legiS
lation to permit the Senate to dispose
of routine business that has piled up
during the tariff debate.
Senator Watson did not believe it
would require more than three days
at the outside and possibly not more
than two days" to pass on the Norris
Muscle Shoals resolution.
House leaders, however, have given
no assurance that the legislation will
be considered there this session.
Agreement also was reached to permit
Senator Tydings, Democrat, Of Mary
land, an opportunity to deliver a speech
against prohibition later in the day.
This Is the only measure of the many
score which have been advanced in the
10 years Of Investigations and legis-
lative wranglings to get through Con-
gresS. It was adopted two years ago,
but President Coolidge permitted 1t to
die by pocket veto.
House Outlook Is Dark.
Administration forces, generally op-
posed to Government ownership and
operation. are prepared to oppose the
Norris resolution, but apparently there
Is no counterproposal of lease to pri-
vate industry to be offered. Senator
Norris is confident Of the votes to put
through his measure again, but the out
look for 1t in the House is not so bright.
The Muscle Shoals debate offered an
opportunity for the threatened Senate
discussion of the activities of Claudius
Huston, chairman of the Republican
national committee, in behalf of dis
position of Muscle Shoals to private in
tereSts. A report from the lobby COM
mittee on Illusions financial relations
with the Tennessee River Improvement
Association in its activities on Muscle
Shoals legislation Is in prospect
Put up during the war. when Congress
feared this Nation might be cut off from
the nitrogen supply so vital in the
manufacture of war explosives, the huge
dam OH the Tennessee River and the
nitrate plants nearby have never really
been used for their original purpose.
Ford Bid Started Fight.
A bid by Henry Ford for the property
shortly after the war ended electrified
the South and stirred a bitter con-
troversy in Congress. After four years
Of congressional wrangling, Mr.. Ford
withdrew his offer. Since then various
bills have been passed by one branch
or the other. Finally, two years ago
the Norris Government operation reSo-
luton got through both the House and
Senate.
The Norris resolution would set up
governmental corporation directed by
three men to be appointed by the Pres
ident to operate the nitrate plants and
to control the power generated by the
dam on the Tennessee River.
1t also would provide for the con-
struction of dam on the Clinch River
at Cove Creek, Tenn, to be used as a
reservoir for the Muscle Shoals Dam
It is estimated this dam would cost
with its transmission lines to Muscle
/ Shoals. 34.140.0O0.
The Government corporation would
be authorized to manufacture fixed nj
| trogen at Muscle Shoals, but its main
| purpose would be to conduct expert
ments in the manufacture of nitrogen
for use as fertilizer in time of peace
and for explosives in time of war.
States Would Get Power.
Surplus power generated at the plants
would be distributed equitably among
| the states within transmission distance
Preference in sale Of power would be
given to States and municipalities anC
thereafter 1t could be sold to private
industry or individuals.
Alabama would be allowed per
cent of the gross proceeds from the
sale Of surplus power at Muscle Shoal.
and Tennessee would be allowed
per cent from the sale of power al
Cove Creek to compensate the State.
for loss in taxes on private property.