MUSCLE SHOALS

The Government is undertaking to develop a great water-power project known as Muscle Shoals, on which it has expended many million dollars.  The work is still going on.  Subject to the right to retake in time of war, I recommend that this property with a location for auxiliary steam plant and rights of way be sold.  This would end the present burden of expense and should return to the Treasury the largest price possible to secure.

While the price is an important element, there is another consideration even more compelling.  The agriculture of the Nation needs a greater supply and lower cost of fertilizer.  This is now imported in large quantities.  The best information I can secure indicates that present methods of power production would not be able profitably to meet the price at which these imports can be sold.  To obtain a supply from this water power would require long and costly experimentation to perfect a process for cheap production.  Otherwise our purpose would fail completely.  It seems desirable, therefore, in order to protect and promote the public welfare, to have adequate covenants that such experimentation be made and carried on to success.  The great advantage of low-priced nitrates must be secured for the direct benefit of the farmers and the indirect benefit of the public in time of peace, and of the Government in time of war.  If this main object be accomplished, the amount of money received for the property is not a primary or major consideration.

Such a solution will involve complicated negotiations, and there is no authority for that purpose.  I therefore recommend that the Congress appoint a small joint committee to consider offers, conduct negotiations, and report definite recommendations.

RECLAMATION

By reason of many contributing causes, occupants of our reclamation projects are in financial difficulties, which in some cases are acute.  Relief should be granted by definite authority of law empowering the Secretary of the Interior in his discretion to suspend, readjust, and reassess all charges against water users.  This whole question is being considered by experts.  You will have the advantage of the facts and conclusions which they may develop.  This situation, involving a Government investment of more than $135,000,000, and affecting more than 30,000 water users, is serious.  While relief which is necessary should be granted, yet contracts with the Government which can be met should be met.  The established general policy of these projects should not be abandoned for any private control.

HIGHWAYS AND FORESTS

Highways and reforestation should continue to have the interest and support of the Government.  Everyone is anxious for good highways.  I have made a liberal proposal in the Budget for the continuing payment to the States by the Federal Government of its share for this necessary public improvement.  No expenditure of public money contributes so much to the national wealth as for building good roads.