The age-herald., 1900-11-21
GROWERS
 MEET IN MASON
Inter- State Association Holds lis
 First Convention-The Programme

Macon, Ga, November 2O-The Southern In,er-st Cotto2 Growers Assnciation .Whtch was formed in Macon list May, held it's first convention here to.tlay Fresi- dent Jordan stated that the prime object of the convention was to forr an Inter- State Bureau for the colleetitu and distrI- button of statistical information relating to the cotton business of the South and to offset the over-estimating of parties whom he believed irresponsible. .. -.-..
 Hon. Hoke Smith, of Atlanta. :. was the principal speaker of the day. His address partook largely of the historical and stat istical and was well received., MT. Smith said in part: #.-.
 While cotton to-day brings 10 cents a pound 1t has only been three years since the crop was selling at cents per pound. What are the elements which have caused this variance in price? Recognizing the laws of demand and supply we must sec that the depreciation in the-price of cot ton has been due to a production of the staple in excess of the demand for manu- featuring goods A knowledge of the sup ply of cotton and of the demand for cot ton goods for consumption will enable the porducer to tell at the time of the year when cotton is picked the price of WHlCH liul COlIOn SnOulQ sell. Another cause which have facilitated the deprecia- tions of price at the time the cotton left the hands of the planter has been the un- business-ike plan of selling 1t.
 More than 70 per cent. of the cotton which is used in the great cotton mills of the world Is raised in our section. The mills run during twelve months. They need the cotton as much in July as they do in ecember. The plan of selling has disregarded the time of consumption. h. stead of handling the crop so that it would be sold from month to month during the year. as the mills required it for use, it has been the practice of the planters in the South to rush their cotton on to the market during a period limited almost to two months, forcing its purchasea by spec ulators, rather than holding the erop un- til the consumer or mill-owner came after it.
 By the cooperation of the marchants and the bankers the planters have been en- abled, so soon as the buyers succesded in depressing the price, to take their cotton off the market, and as result, they, today see the price of cotton going back to the figures at which it sold during the month of September, and I have no doubt the bal ance of the cotton crop thus carried. over by our farmers will bring them over 10 cents a pound. This price, however, could hardly have been realized had the farmers raised 000 bales more of cotton.
  portance which affect the price of next years cotton crop. They are: How much will the mills of the world consume in 1902? How much lint cotton will the bal ance of the world produce for other than domestic consumption in 1901? How much will be produced in the South in 19o1?"
 In closing MT. Smith urged the diversif- cation of crops t--
 At the afternoon session Capt. John A. Davis spoke on the relations of the banks to the cotton growers, and the business committee made the following report. which was adopted:
 First. That an interstate cotton plant CTS association be organized.
 "Second. That each stabe association be allowed three representatives upon the in- ter-state executive committee.
 Third. That the interstate executive be authorized to adopt a constitution and elect officers.
 Fourth. That the chairman and secre- tary of this meeting be authorized to act for the interstate executive committee un- til the same can meet and act"
 On motion the first meeting of the inter state executive committee was directed to meet in Atlanta, Ga.