The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-30
TO HELP THE SOUTH.
New York Cotton brokerage Firm
Hnr "a scheme.


Washington, January 2s--Prlce, 'Mccnr-
mick a. Cos one OF the large cotton broker
aee firms OF New York. are inatigurating
scheme for the purpose cf decreasing tie
cotton acreage, and increasing the price OF
cotton. II perfected their plan VIII lie
known as the great cotton trust. There
hbyo boon held In the Southern States in
the past conventions OF cotton growers wlio
have had in mind this same purpose. These
conventions generally result IN the adop
tion Of resolutions and an agreement to
plant less cotton, but each farmer, with
the idea that his ndigbhor VIII decrease his
ncreage In cotton. usually increases MS
own, the result being hat Instead Of less
cotton aud hghc, prices there is moe cot
ton and lower prices. The plan o. Price
Mccormick & 70. Is outlined IN Die follow
ing letter, whiuh has been srciire1 from n
leading Southern representative IN eanr
sress, to whom It was sent under datc of
January % from New yotlt;
Dear Sir: We address yuu as renile-'
man whose high public position not only
entities you To the fullest confidence of
your fellow-citi2ens, but enables you 10
understand most fully the present cpnli-
tion of the agricultural community. MT
only In your State, but throughout the ,n-
tire South and to realize what relufms or
changes In oidstime methods are necessary
TO bring about u higher degree of prcs-
perity,
I'VE are confident ihni YOU are fully
alive to the fact that thu South has This
eeasen suffered severe financial loss through
the overrFoduction of their stnnip ,nlmod-
tty--cotton. Except In seasons where un-
favorable climatic conditions prevail Tins
INST ttrtts
as producers act 10 individuals aal ignore
the benefits which are to be derived from
concerted action IN connection Will, the
question Of cotton productions
They have 1t In their power 10 themselves
control the price Of the staple This can
only be done through organized effort, and
II Is in this connection that We write You
to enlist your MORAL us we'll ia your active
support In II schedule TO bring about Il suf-
ficlent reduction In next seasons acreage
to prevent repetition of this years over
production, thereby placing the South IN n
position to hecomo practically the price ar
otter and TO wrest this power from Great
Britain and tho Continent. which they have
so long enjoyed.
with this end In view we propose 10
organize nm association to be known m the
American Cotton Growers Mutual Protect
I've association rs n mcmher Of tho advisory
board Of which we shall be pleased II you
No capitalization or funds viii be nee
essay. Moral sunsjon viii be drought TO
bear upon all the leading planters III the
South looking toward the desired end,
through the most influential merchants
nnd bankers in each township in the cot
ton belt, with whom we shall enter into
correspondence Just as soon as We shall
have heen able TO enlist the COO nraton
OF such Influential gentlemen Mt the South
as VIII give 10 the scheme dignity and
thereby ontitle II to the fullest confidence
Of the entire community. Diyors'liuitlon
OF crops Is especially aimed at. ina,much
as this viii make planters practically in
derendcnt so far as the necessities OF lifo
are concerned and leave to than iholr cot
ton crop rs a cash commodity,
n. us a philanthrpplc measure, this
scheme appeals TO you, we shall 10 very
glad. indeed, to hear from you al, your
early convenience inasmuch us The rapid
approach Of the planting season i, nders
prompt action necessary