The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-25
COTTON MEN IN SESSION Harvie Jor,'4 Chosen as
 C,<lrman. ALABAMAIs REPRESENTED Poole Made Vice President
 for This State. Lovett of Blountsyillc Secretary, While. Nesbitt Reports Plans for
 Permanent Organization--
 Resolution Main Issue.
ALABAMAIs IS REPRESENTED


 nous vote at the close of it's first ses- sion today the Southern Interstate Cotton Convention, by general agree ment the largest and most represcn- tative that has gathered in the South, declared that reduction of acreage and l commercial fertilizers is the paramount | question to be considered at the con vention and that it must be settled before any other business Is under l taken.
 | Eleven hundred and thirty-ave dele- l gates, representing the thirteen cot ton growing States and Territories, had | registered when the convention was called to order. Even that number did l not represent the full strength of the | convention.
 The forenoon and early afternoon | were devoted to the compromising of 1 all differences that existed as to | organization. the central idea being | that the work of the convention should l go to the country with the stamp of harmony and practical unanimity. The l result was that former Congressman l Catchings's name was withdrawn and all opposition to Harvie Jordan's selec- tion ended. Washington Artillery Hall, seating 1000 persons, was crowded to the doors when the conven- tion met. As president of the South ern Cotton Growers. MT. Jordan called 1t to order. He said in part: MT. Jordan Speaks.
 We are all agreed upon four general propositions:
 "First-We must tie up and take care of the surplus of this crop and remove l 1t from the markets of the country until next fall, and hold the balance of | n until prices advance to normal con ditions.
 "second-we must reduce the cotton acerage and use of commercial ferti- lizers under cotton at least 25 per cent under that of 1904.
 "Third--we must arrange for gen eral system of bonded warehouses un- der local control of the people through 1 out the South
 1 "Fourth--We must at once proceed to | organize the producers of the South in every cotton growing country on business basis to carry into operation a permanent system of relief and pro- | lection for the future"
 Judge F. B. Perkins of Dallas, nominated former Lieutenant Governor Jester of Texas. for temporary chair | man. and he was unanimously elected. Concluding a brief, but effective ad- dress, Governor Jester said
 TWO reforms must be inaugurated by the Southern farmers: Diverslfca- ton of crops that will reduce the pro- duction of cotton, and better facilities for the storage of the cotton that will give lower insurance and interest and better protection"
 J. A. B. Lovett, of Blountsville Ala: Richard Cheatham of Mississippk and J. II. Whyte of New Orleans, were elected secretaries.
 Question of Representation.
 The question of representation im- mediately arising, Governor Vardaman of Mississippi, moved that every prop | erly accredited delegate should be en- l titled to a seat on the floor and a voice in the convention and though the mo- ton provoked considerable debate it finally prevailed.
 On motion of J. A. Brown of North Carolina, committee on permanent | organization of one delegate from each State was named and pending it's re- port welcoming addresses by Mayor Behrman and President Sanders of the | Progressive Union. were listened to. 1 There were responses by Walter Clarke of Clarksdale. Miss. and J. Pope Brown, chairman of the Georgia Railroad Com- mission.
 MT. Brown said 1t was the number of bales which regulated the price of cot ton and the present price would not ad- vance until 1t was known that the pro- duction this year was to be curtailed. Eight million bales would bc an ample crop to raise this year. With the four million of surplus held on to, 1t would give precisely the crop the bears de- 1 sire. He believed the South could whip in the present fight. but there must be harmony to make victnry possible and perfect sincerity in abiding by the ac- ton of the convention. It was entirely proper that every delegate should pre- sent his proposition and make his fight but when the work was finished all ought to come together and fight to a common end.
 Nesbitt Makes Report. W. D. Nesbitt of Alabama, presented the report of the Committee on Per manent Organization. It provided for Harve Jordan as President, for Vice President from each State, and for three secretaries named by the temporary or ganization. It fixed the representation on the basis of one vote for every IOO,- 900 bales of cotton raised during 19Os-O4 as follows:
 1 Alabama, 10: Arkansas. 8; Florida Georgia, IA; Louisiana, 9: Mississippi, 8; North Carolina. G. South Carolina. 9; Tennessee, 3; Texas. 2s; Oklahoma, 2 ! Missouri ]. and Indian Territory 3. These committees were provided for: Reduction of cotton acreage and use of commercial fertilizers with one | farmer. one banker and one merchant from each State; permanent organiza- tion of farmers with three farmers one merchant and one banker from each State; financing and holding bal ance of present crop until legitimate prices are secured, with one farmer one merchant and one banker from each State; warehousing and financing fu- ture crops. similarly constituted; on direct trade between farmers and man ufacturers; on transportation and on resolutions to consider matters of a general nature not otherwise provided for.
 1 "Reduction of acreage and commer- clal fertilizers being Of paramount im- portahce. We recommend it be made the first order of business and he settled I before other business is undertaken"