The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-14
Wants One Held in Every Town
 in the State
TO GET BETTER PRICES
Object Is to Bring About Some Con. certed Action Among Farmers to Get Better Prices for
 the Staple.


 Hon. R. R. Poole, state commissioner of agriculture. has issued call for the farmers of Alabama to hold mass meet ings in their several counties on Tuesday. January 10, 1905, to determine what -s best to be done to secure better prices for cotton and. plan for the new crop. He urges holding all cotton now in the hands of the farmers until that time at least. smaller acreage next year and more abundant food crops. The call Is as foI- lows, addressed to the cotton owners of Alabama:
 The present conditions make me ex- tremely anxious and solieitous of your iterests. and I have determined to take prompt and decided action in the prem ises. The extremely mild and dry fall has upset all calculations in relation to the output of the cotton crop, and brought the fact more vididly and foreibly to mind than ever before. and further dem onstrates to my complete satisfaction that we know precious little about what the yield is going to be or what the mar ket is going to do.
 OonlToiIcu ny onyloCkS. '"Fhe cotton market is controlled and absolutely by the 'shylocks' of Wall street. and as matter of course. they always manipulate it so as to put money in their own pockets, and defraud those who raise the staple and handle 1t first hand. I have advised the holding of cot ton and have all along firmly believed that the price would go up shortly after the holidays. I am of the same opinion still. But we must do our part in forc ing fair and equitable price for what Of the staple we may still have on hand. am aware of the fact that the producer has marketed three-fourths of his crop and am happy to know that he got a fair price for 1t, but that still on hand should not be sacrificed, and along with the 25 per. cent yet in the hands of merchants or middlemen, makes at least fifty per cent of the crop yet in our hands.
 Wise Action Needed.
 Wise and judicious and prompt action IS worth many thousands of dollars to the people of Alabama. I have been urged by farmers and merchants all over the state to make some suggestions to guide them in bringing about the much de- sired results, and after reflection and consultation with others have determined to call and do hereby call mass meet ings in cities and country towns of the state on Tuesday, January TO- 1905, for the discussion of the question from every standpoint, and if possible to decide upon the best and most effeetual mode and manner of the disposition of the crop in hand, and for concert of action in nak- ing the next crop.
 Tt is highly essential for our future salvation, that we stand steadfastly to- gether against the speculator and sell no cotton voluntarily, and permit none to be sold by coercion or intimidation. I suggest free, full and open discussion of the matter of so vital importance to YOU all, and would recommend:
 First, That the remainder of the crop in hand be held for fair and just prices;
 Second, That smaller acreage be plant ed next year and that the wisest concert of action be had in bringing that about;
 Third, That more and abundant food crops be planted and that our farmers become self-sustaining so far as possi- ble.
 'I shall take pleasure in offering sug- gestions and give my cordial and hearty cooperation In making the movement a success.''
 Huger Has a Plan.
 J. w. Huger, president of the Alabama Chemical company of Montgomery has given, in letter to the Hon. Harvie Jor- dan, president of the Southern Cotton Growers Protective association, some practical thoughts on the cotton raising and marketing industry. He advises that the marketing be spread out over nine months and thinks that with this plan in force the price will be kept up to what is right fin the sale of the staple.
 In the first place, he thinks that the farmers should post themselves about the actual crop yield; that they should not simply agree to hold their cotton, but have thorough understanding about the marketing, saying just how many bales will be put up for sale and how many will be raised.
 "If it were possible" he thinks, it would be best if they would all agree to market their crops as follows: one-third of what each man raises by November 1; one-third in November, December and January, and the other in February, March and April. This would give nine months to market the whole. This would put the producer in the position to feed the spinner and mill men when they need the cotton and not force them to take it when they do not require 1t for pres ent use. Any commodity forced on the buyer will be sold al a sacrifice, or the price fixed by the buyer If a mule dealer sells a man mules, he buys as many as he needs and pays a just price for them, but if forced to take five more mules he will give for them what he chooses.
 State Statistics.
 MT. Huger thinks the plan of the gov ernment giving out the statistics is a bad one. He believes that a statistical department should be established in every state; that gins should be licensed and forced to make report every week of every bale coming into their hands In this way every state could keep right up with what is being raised, and give the farmers the inside track on the mat ter of statistical information.
 Let the southern people be more self reliant" says Mir Huger, "and work to- gether and not look to Washington, or the large cotton exchanges of the coun- try, for information regarding their own