The Muscle Shoals Plant--This great plarLt located on the Tennessee River was erected as a war industry for the purpose of nitrogen fixation. The portion designated as No. I was arranged to operate a modified Haber process, while a much larger installation, No. 2, operated the cyanamid method. No. I had not been carried beyond the experimental stage when the war closed, and further work was discontinued. No. 2 is complete and 'has a capacity of IIO,OOO tons of ammonium nitrate per year. All work, however, has been suspended as well as on the great dam, which was to utilize the water power of the stream. It is stated that the dam as planned will furnish water enough to develop 6oo,ooo horsepower. The Mississippi Valley Association, at its meeting in May last, appointed a committee to bring to public notice the facts about this plant, and the cormnittee has lately issued a report in pamphlet form with illustrations. The following are some of the conclusions reached:
That two nitrate plants, of large capacity, well built at great expense, and required for national defense are standing idle.
That these plants can be made a profitable investmer~t and a benefit to agriculture if cheap p~wer is available.
That this cheap power can be furnished only by the dam, now awaiting completion.
That in its present condition the dam blocks navigation on the Tennessee River.
That the work clone to date has beer~ well done, but will certainly be damaged if abandoned in its present condition.
That additional delay means only a constantly increasing loss to the Government.
That a relatively small additional co,st will bring to fruition a great enterprise, and add an important factor to the development of our country.
That the completion of this enterprise is one of the most important factors before us at this time and in accord with the declaration of principles of our Association which calls for the development of agriculture, of industry, of finance, and of transportation.
In view of the fact that the Government can not transfer its right to manufacture nitrate by the cyanamid process to o,thers than the patentee, a government controlled corporation or corporations should 'be established to operate both the hydro-electric power and the nitrate plants, preference being given to agriculture, but always reserving the right to resume control and operation in event of war.