The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-26
SITUATION.
A Large Reduction of
Acreage is Assured.
7. J. Simmons, Representative o.
Southern Cotton Association, Con-
fers with Secretary Parker OF
the Alliance. Harvie JOr-
dan Urges Reduction.

Secretary T. y. Parker, of the North
Carolina division of the Southern Cot
ton Association, was in conference yes.
terday with r. j. simmons, Jr., of At
lanta. manager of The Press Bureau
Of the Southern Cotton Association,
who is making q tour of North Caro-
lima for the purpose of securing infor-
nation as TO the number of people
who have joined the association and
who propose to reduce their cotton
acreage this year.
Mr.. simmons is a son of Hon. T. j.
Simmons, Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court Of Georgia.
Mr.. Simmons is very enthusiastic
over the work which has been done in
North Carolina, and in fact he broughH
very encouraging news from the other
cotton growing States, in which he
SAYS the organization of the farmers
is very complete. From all indica-
tons, according to Mr.. Simmons the
reduction of cotton acreage twenty
five per cent for the year 1905 is as
sured, and instead of so much cotton
which resulted in that enormous crop
last year, there will be a greater di-
versification of crops than ever
In speaking of the work of the as,
ISOLATION in the South, Mr.. Simmons
said
'The membership of the Southern
Cotton Association is growing rapidly,
From reports received at the head
quarters, nearly one million, five huns
dred thousand people in the Southern
States have joined the organization
and have signed the pledge to reduce
their acreage twenty-five per cent. OF
course there will be a few renegades
who will endeavor to profit by his
neighbor in taking advantage of the
fact that the acreage is going to be
reduced. / was in South Carolina
Thursday, and they tell me in that
State that they are going to ostracise
people who sign the pledge to reduce
their acreage and then refuse to COM
ply with their agreement That's what
they are going to do I'm Georgia. too,
and ! think it would be q wise plan to
blacklist people who fail to carry out
their promises after having made
them.
by sticking together the farmers
can absolutely control the price OF
their cotton. The people in every line
of business in the Southern States are
backing the farmers i'm this movement
as they realize that the high price Of
cotton means continued prosperity for
the South, while a low price means
poverty
"Since the New Orleans convention
in January the price of cotton has adj
vanced seven dollars per bale. This
will easily demonstrate what the Wall
street spectators who have controlled
the market for years thinl- of the
Southern Cotton Association They
have arrived at the conclusion that the
Southern farmer can and will dictate
in future what he shall sell his cot
ton at, and although they will make |
all kinds of efforts to get the cotton
in their control all indications point
to failure.
EVERY Southern State in which cot
ton is grown has a thorough organi- |
zation. President Harvie Jordan mas
worked day and night to get the move |
ment in shape, and he has succeeded. |
He has done a great work for the |
South, and wherever he goes he is en- |
Enthusiastically received.
,"South Carolina has splendid State |
and Secretary Parker |
tells me that this State is also well |
organized. Together with President |
Mr.. Parker has some eX- |
celIent plans for getting the farmers |
more enthusiastic and better organic |
ed than before, and these plans, he |
tells me. will be put into effect at once |
with two million people determin- |
ed to reduce acreage and commercial |
fertilizers and resolved not to release |
their cotton for less than a fair price |
l cannot see how the movement can |
fail Now is the time for the farmers |
of the South to work out their own |
salvation, and there is but one way |
for them to do it. That is to reduce !
their acreage, diversity their crops. |
and stand by the laws and principles |
of the Southern Cotton Association.
II want to congratulate Secretary |
Parker for the splendid work he has
done, and ! feel sure that with the |
in his hands North Caro- |
lima will be one of the banner States in |
the South in the matter of reduction |
of acreage and State organization"