Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-22
And Betterment of the Manner of

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 1.-The conveu- ton of steamship agents and railroad off, cials called for today, to meet in the rooms of the chamber of commerce, promises to be one of the most interesting gatherings that has assembled in New Orleans for a good while. It is not so much iu the per- sonnet of those present, influential as they are, as in the momentouo subjects that they will have reposed in their charge for settlement.
 What will be discussed principally are the conditions under which cotton is bailed for forwarding to the port of New Orleans from adjacent states for shipment to foreign ports. Such irregularity has crept in these last few years in the preparation of the cotton for shipment that all parties interested Ihave come to the conclusion that meeting had batter be held, and the result of such conclusions Is the convention of today.
 contention of shipping men is that if the staple is properly handled from 20 to 80 per cent more bales can be slowed in the holds of steam and sailing vessels. The railroad men are supposed 10 be taking n great interest in the work oi the conven- ton, some railroads maintaining that while percentage of cotton is badly pressed and otherwise handled by the pro- ducer and at congresses, yet 1t is but small portion, the bulk of shipments "measuring' out to the full ship require- ments. This point, as well as many others, will, it is said, be debated hotly during the meeting.
 The railroad interest will be closely con- served by Col. ''Bob'' Perkins and Col. 0. w. Gibson, both of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, who handle enormous quan- titles of cotton, and they will be ready with trip hammer arguments on their side of the question.
 Colonel Gibson is the cotton az ent for the Mobile and Ohio with headquarters at Att lanta, Ga., and is probably one of the best postedlraiiroad men in the south. Perkins Is known to all men favorably as the local agent of the Mobile and Ohio, and is well posted on the matter.
 or the local steamboat men there are prominent in the room to-day: Charles Stoddart, w. J. Hammond, Major Sanders, w. P. Ross of Ross, Howe & Morrow, Alfred Leblanc, Victo Bolo and A. Mill leta of A. K. Miller, Mileta Co.
 Many of the delegates from outside points are delayed through lack of msking rail- road connections, but they will be here When the convention of steamship agents and railway officials reconvened this after noon al 2:30 o'clock much larger number of delegates were present than at the morning session.
 A telegram was received by Chairman Ross from the Charleston cotton exchange stating that Mir. J. Adger Smith and Capt. J. T. Hubbard would report Friday morn- ing at the convention as their delegates.
 President w. F. Ross then proceeded to read an address prepared by the Mari time association. The address was very lengthy one. Considerable consideration was gwen to the preparation of cotton from the time it left the gin until loaded on board ship. Bales should be put up in uniform size and with a minimum density. It was very important that this convention should endeavor to remedy these defects.
 The subjects of freight storage and in- surance were discussed at length. Care- lessness in compressiug was severely com- nented on. It was urged that every bale should be held by twenty-four bands. It was for the cotton producers to wrtstle with the question of careless co1npressing and not the ship owner. On motion the address was referred to the committee on resolutions:
 It was ordered that recess of ten min utes be taken for the purpose of making up committees.
 In answer to an inquiry the chair stated that there were representatives present. from New Orleans, Galvestons Bruns- wick, Savannah, Norfolk and New York. Several other cities had sent commercial bodies would be present later. The railroads represented were stated to be the Florida Central, Illinois Central, Texas and Pacific and Mobile and ono. The recess ol tou Ilihutos TUT tho purpose of selecting committees was then ordered. The convention had not recon vened at the close of this report. The fol- lowing additional delegates registered this afternoon:
 c. P. Miller, Texas aud Pacific railroads; Robert D. DeWebb, Mindeu, La. Clar- encs s. Connerely, F. c. Stracner, j.. NJ. Fleming and w. A. Winburn of Savau- nah; 0. N. Smith, Portsmouth, Va.; Will liam Pare, A. Lord, J. Morrow, ". A. Neville. Alfred Holt, D. Ripley, T. K. Sweeney and J. MoIler, Galveston; T. R. Hayward, Selma, Ala; A. A. Patton, Liverpool, England.