Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-15
Muscle Shoals Commission.

Muscle Shoals Commission.
President Hoover's appointment Of
commission to determine what should
be done with the power and nitrate
plants at Muscle Shoals will not satis-
~ the insurgent Republicans In Con-
xress. They stand for only one thing,
Government operation. Nevertheless,
the Presidents commission Il one which
should have the consideration even Of
the insurgents. 1t Is representative OF
the two States which, after all, have
the chief interest In the power plant.
Alabama and Tennessee. It cares for
the farmers interest in the nitrate
plant, which may be used for fertilisers,
through appointment Of Edward A.
ONeal Of Alabama, president OF
the American Farm Bureau Fed
Grafton, ~ q member Of the com
mission. And the Federal Govern
nnent's representatives on the eommis-
sion are Col. Harley B. Furgeson, Corps
Of Engineers, U. 8. A.. and Col. Joseph
I. McMullen Of the Judge Advocate Cen
erals Department. Such Q commission
should be able to come TO . conclusion
regarding the Government-owned plants
and what should be done with them IN
the interest Of the public.
When President Hoover vetoed the
Norris bill providing for Government
operation OF the Muscle Shoals plants
he suggested the appointment Of just
such q commission NJ he has now
named. It was his plan, however. to
give the commission full powers TO 60
ahead with the development and lease
of the power and the nitrate plant.
Such power can be granted only by
Congress. When the new Congress
convenes it may be expected that an
other battle royal will be staged over
these properties of the Government.
acquired ut the time Of the World War.
Then it was deemed especially neces-
sAry to bring about the manufacture
Of nitrates In great quantities for use
a. fertilizer and in the manufacture
of explosives, since the importation Of
nitrates had been grAvely threatened.
The nxation Of atmospheric nitrogen
through the use- Of the hydroelectric
power seemed to be the way out and
Muscle Shoals the place for q Govern
ment plant capable Of developing huge
power.
Ever since the World War Muscle
Shoals has presented q problem. All
kinds Of offers have been made for it.
Interests Of various kinds have sought
these plants. The proponents Of Gov
eminent ownership and operation have
raised the specter Of q giant water
power trust in their efforts to halt
the leasing Of the plants by the Gov
eminent to private concerns. The
Government expended in the develop
ment Of the plants something like
sl4s, 900, 000 The interests Of the pub
lie. therefore, from . financial stand
point must be looked to In any de-
cision regarding Muscle Shoals.
President Hoover has stood out, as
did former President Coolidge, against
having the Government go into the
business Of generating. and selling
power direct to consumers. They looked
upon the proposal as just one more
move to place the Government in busi-
ness In competition with private citi-
Rens. So far there has been no
indication that the administration is
weakening in its opposition to Gov
eminent operation and sale to con-
sumers. Efforts are being made in
Democratic quarters to raise the water
power question as q major issue in the
coming national campaign. In the
light of all the circumstances. any re-
port which the newly appointed COM
mission may submit to the President
and which in turn may be submitted
BY him to the Congress will be Of pc.
culiAr interest.