The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-09
ITS SCOPE NATIONAL
Committees From the Various States
to Meet in Washington and Call a
Convention of Manufacturers From
all Over the Union With View to
Their Taking loint Action in Cur
failing Production.
(By the Associated Press.)

Charlotte, N. c.. Dec. SIN response to
call by a committee representing tne
North Carolina Manufacturers Assocla-
ton, over hundred cotton manutacCur-
ers, representing 244, 1872 spindies ana
| s. O65 looms, located throughout the South
ern States, met here today and inaugural
| ed a plan for the curtailment OF the pro-
duction of cotton goods by the mills OF
| the entire country. A committee OF fifteen
was named to meet similar committee
| from other section and agree to decrease
production throughout the United States.
Even before the meeting was convened
| it was evident that the one purpose OF the
session would be to curtail production,
or to make an effort in that direction by
a joint resolution.
Alfred A. Thompson, of the Raleigh
Cotton Mills, made a motion that the ne
cessity for national curtailment be con-
sidered the sense of the meeting.
Mr.. Thompson suggested that meeting
should be held in Washington, at which
representatives of manufacturers from all
parts of the world might discuss this
! great question on a common ground. He
took occasion to predict large cotton
crop for next year.
The Thmpson motion was referred to a
committee of three, which, after half
hours deEberation made the following re-
port, which was adopted with but one dis
senting vote:
Resolved, That with the view of secur-
ing national curtailmant which we think
absolutely necessary to the cotton indus
try, we recommend that committee of
fifteen from the North Carolina Associa-
tion be appointed by the chair to meet in
Washington City, at as early date as can
be agreed upon with like committees from
other States.
| THAT the other States, the Middle and
! New England States be invited by the
chairman of this meeting to appoint sim
liar committees, which when they meet in
| Washington as a point committee, Will
formulate a plan that will bring about
curtailment throughout the United States.
And that this joint committee mme-
diatey cali a national meeting OF manu-
facturers at such place and date as they
can agree upon.'
After the reading of the motion there
was an interesting discussion. w. c.
Heath, of Monroe, N. c., president of
the American Cotton Manufacturers AS
socation, stated that he did not think it
would do any good to attempt to curtail
unless a forfeit was put up that would
be binding upon all men concerned in the
matter He thought that Immediately
following the meeting there should be held
in the different Southern States meetings
of manufacturers, at which committees
could be appointed and the sentiment Of
the bodies could be expressed at a meet
ing to be held conformity with the New
England or Northern people. He said the
meeting would be unwise TO put self in
a position where it seemed to try to de-
press the price of cotton. urtailment is
all right, but not now. Curtailment
should not begin before July or August.
when the proper care could be taken OF
the operatives. Mr.. Heath criticised the
tendency that sought to domn the specu-
lators; was tired of hearing this censure
Of Brown and Sully and Frank Hayne
He knew that two-thrds of the men be-
fore him did what was termed gambling
in the cotton market. President Gordon.
of the Georgia Cotton Manufacturing AS
sociation, i'll response to call for speech
said that he favored the plan under con
slderatlon and believed that curtailment
was the only solution. He thought the
price of cotton would remain high,
t remained for the manufacturers to reg
ulate the price of their goods.
At the afternoon session the following
were named on tie committee: w. A.
Erwin, Durham, N. c., A. A. Thompson,
Raleigh, N. c.; ]. w. Cannon and j. M.
Odell, Concord, N. c.; w. C. Heath,
Monroe, N. c., president Of the American
otton Manufacturers Association E.
Holt, Burlington, N c.; w. H. William
son, Raleigh, N. c.; w H Watkins,
Ramseur, N. c.; C. w. Johnson, Char
lotte, N. c.; W. L. Holt, Fayetteville,
N. c.; B. F. Mebane, Spray, N. c.;
Caesar Cone, Greensboro, N. c.; S. B.
Tanner, Henrietta, N. c.; ]. H. McAden.
Charlotte, N. c.; f. Dilling, Kings Noun
tain, n. c.