The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-10-02
COTTON GROWERS ORGANIZING,

COTTON GROWERS ORGANIZING.
In another year the farmers of the
South will be organized as never before
in the history of the country. Unlike
former movements of this kind. politi-
clans are not at the head of it. The old
Grange organization promised to do good,
but quickly went to pieces when it enter
ed politics. The rise and fall of the Far
mers' Alliance was even more noted. 1t
was nurtured by politicians and became a
giant in a year or two. But with nothing
to accomplish but getting offices for the
schemers the organization sickened and
seems to have died a natural death.
The new movement which promises to
accomplish more for the farmers is the
Cotton Growers Association. The States
of South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama
are already organized, while during the
fall and winter the work of organizing
Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas will be
pushed. There will probably be three
headquarters for as many districts-one
at Atlanta, -or the Atlantic cotton States
and Alabama: one at New Orleans, for
the Gulf States. and the other in one of
the Central Texas cities for that State.
Each State will have it's own organiza-
tion, with a president. One general head
will be selected by the several States.
He will be a strong financier, who has the
confidence Of the bankers and capitalists
of the South. because in this new move
ment the farmers are not trying, as here
tofore, to do everything alone. They are
dependent on capitalists. TIL success Of
the organization depends on the %co-opera-
tion OF FIVE hundred thousand farmers,
bankers, merchants, warehousemen and
ginners, and this. it is claimed, is as
sured.
Pending the organization of the other
States, Harvey Jordan, president of the
Georgia association, is acting as the head
of the association organized, and is push
ing the work in the several States. He
has just organized the South Carolina
farmers. Speaking of the purpose of the
association. he said:
w will obtain within our own ranks
and for the protection of the producers
correct statistical Information in regard
to the condition of the cotton crop prior
to and during the period of harvesting.
The secretaries of local sub-organiZationS
in the various counties and military dis
tricts will be kept in close touch with
the producer, and weekly reports will be
mailed to headquarters. Ginners are in
vited to join the association, and through
them we expect to obtain absolutely cor
rect information. Every bale of cotton
must pass through their hands. l al
ready have in my possession the name
and address of every ginner in South Car
DINA, Georgia and Alabama-about ter
thousand. Postal cards addressed te
headquarters will be in the hands of every
ginner in the cotton belt, and they will
mail every Saturday night a statement
of the number of bales ginned that week
By December 1. the close of the ginning
season, we VIII know exactly the size o
the crop. Under existing conditions thi:
cannot be obtained for twelve
months, or after the crop has long since
been marketed.
The association, knowing the amour
of cotton to be produced, based on the
must trustworthy set of statistics eve
obtained. VIII be in a position to fix
fair price for the raw material. Befor'
fixing the price, however, we propose t
find the true amount of American cottol
required for consumption in twelve month
and the price at which the finished fabri
is offered for sale. With all this knowl
edge, it will be an easy matter to fix
fair price for raw material.
Ito force the buyer to give a just pric
it will be necessary to furnish the suppl
commensurate with the demand. This ca
be done only by marketing he crop throug
a long period of time and furnishing spin
ners their stocks as needed. Here
where we seek the cooperation of Oh
bankers. Cotton in a bonded warehous
properly insured is recognized by bank
as as good security as government bond
A farmer can store a portion of his crO]
using warehouse receipts for collater;
security, to borrO money to meet matuI
ing obligations. Thousands of independe1
farmers can hold their cotton at HON
This will give a healthy market to thos
who are compelled to sell.
The cotton mills of the South are
unit IN favor of this movement. TIL
prefer to pay a higher price, buying whe
needed. than to be forced to buy twe1,
months supply in ninety days at lowe
prices. They are forced to borrow mont
to do this. and must have a wide ma
gin.
" shall never have a better opport-
nifty of becoming complete masters OF Il
situation than that presented at this tim
There is no surplus cotton, while new
before has the demand for finished goo
been so great. The mills must have ra
cotton which will be in our possession.
Insurance on cotton stored in war
houses built according to insurance spec
f%ications can be obtained at a rate of on