Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-04

and he might have manufactured fertil-
1zer there as he promised to do, but,
after long consideration, he could not
get the bill through Congress and final
" withdrew his offer.
The only good that Fords offer ever
did in my judgment was that 1t fixed
the mind Of the country on the fact
that Senator Smoot was mistaken about
this being q liability instead of an
asset and that the Government had a
really splendid piece of property there.
After the Ford offer was withdrawn
the various power companies began to
make strenuous efforts to get control
Of the plant by lease and for prac-
tically no compensation. They re-
vamped the Ford offer and bills were
introduced to carry out their plans.
Mr.. Underwood vigorously worked for
the water power companies proposal,
but he could never get it through the
Congress. The American Cyanamid Co.,
manufacturer of fertilizer and other
things, became an applicant for It and,
believe, at one time got its bill through
the House, but never got anywhere.
And thus the years have passed by.
First with Ford trying to get the
property; next. the water power COM
panieS, and third, the fertilizer COM
panies. In the meantime, the PreSi-
dent in my judgment, disregarded the
law under which the plant had been
built and had virtually turned this over
to the Alabama Power Co., contrary to
that law. There was no reason why
he could not have operated the plant
| at all times and sold the power and
manufactured fertilizer, but he did not
| do it. and thereupon Senator Norris
and I, and various other gentlemen,
introduced bills for the purpose of hav-
ing the Government operate this plant
as manufacturing plant. Many such
bills were, think, introduced. At the
| last session Of Congress Senator Norris
succeeded in putting his bill for Gov
eminent operation through the Senate
| and it was adopted in the House. but
President Coolidge vetoed it by a pocket
| veto. In this connection I would say
that I had always SympathiZed with
Senator Norris plan of having the Gov
| eminent operate this plant, indeed, my
bill was almeSt Identical: but in his bill
which passed a year ago, he included
| In it the building Of Cove Greek Dam
and dam No. 3 and made no provision
| for TennesSee'S rights in the building
| and operation Of this dam, and, there
fore, I had to oppose it and did oppose
| his bill very vigorously. In the present
bill, he has put in a section protecting
Tennessee's rights and / am a very
strong advocate, therefore, Of the pres
| ent bill.
| Present History.
This brings me to the present situa-
ton. Representative Wright of Georgia
introduced Q bill in the House to lease
this property to the American Cyana-
mid Co. and providing also for the
building of Cove Greek dam and leasing
that property to the American Cyana-
mid Co. The argument for this bill
was that the Government would get rid
of the plant. That it was a milestone
around the Governments neck and that
it ought to get rid Of 1t. That the
Government ought not to 60 into the
| business Of manufacturing fertilizer,
| and it should not go into the business
| of distributing power in competition
with private companies. A considerable
| sentiment was built up for this bill.
Lobbyists and propagandists with all