The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-02-01
ASHCROFT WANTS
GREATER MARKETS
Thinks That is Real Solution of
Cotton. Problem
OTHER PLANS, TEMPORARY
Large Committee Will Wait on Pres
ident to Enlist His Aid In In
crea;ing Foreign Market
For Cotton.
OTHER PLANS, TEMPORARY


took prominent part.
Mr.. Ashcraft, who was secretary of
the special committee on foreign trade, is
very optimistic over the work done by
the convention, and believes it will result
in much good to southern cotton grow
ers.
Speaking of the work of the convention,
Mr.. Ashcraft said:
The convention will result in the re-
duction of the cotton acreage and has
formed the basis for a great cooperative
effort between the producers of cotton
for the maintenance of higher prices.
"One of the most important steps
taken, however, was the action of the
convention looking toward the enlarge
ment of our market for cotton products.
1t was this feature that carried me to
New Orleans, and it was source of
great qualification that the resolution in
troGuced by me looking to this end was
unanimously adopted by the convention
IAN must admit that the decrease in
cotton acreage is but a temporary ex-
pedent, a heroic remedy to bring about
immediate relief. But continuation OF
such course would be taking a step
backward and the south is not willing
to do so. When prices are again raised as
result of this convention, the present
condition will be forgotten. and another
large crop will be planted. We Will then
find ourselves in the same predicament
that we are in today, unless we enlarge
the demand for cotton ana cotton pro-
ducts.
fnI,, .fsa
that can be rsed by every individual OF
the human race. The south is blessed
with the soil, the climate and a people
peculiarly adapted to raising cotton. This
commodity is the backbone of southern
| industries and southern people must in
| augurate systematic measures for pro-
| tecting it. As | have tried to show, for
! eign countries are clamoring for our
goods and we must supply the demand.
| South America, the Mediterranean, Red
sea and the Persian gulf regions could be
made to become large users of American
cotton goods.
1T is the purpose of the special COM
mittee appointed by the convention to
take up the question of the development
of the foreign markets.
"Thls committee will visit the President
| and Secretary of Agriculture at Wash
| irgton as quickly as a meeting can be
arranged to discuss with them practical
plans for charging our trade with for
| eign countries
| about twenty-five prominent planters
and manufacturers from the south Will
accompany this committee to present
these matters to the President"
Letters to the President
New Qrle La, jan. 20, 1905.
| To His EXcellency, the President Oh the
| United States:
| Dear Sir:-I am instructed by the con-
vention of Cotton Growers in the city OF
| New Orleans, La, to transmit Tor your
consideration the following resolution:
Whereas, the present markets for Anne
rican products are not sufficient to dis
pose of the present crop; and,
Whereas we believe the consumption
| of cotton can be greatly increased In the
markets of the world; and,
Whereas, such increase Will result IN
untold good to tl-s cotton growing states
reducing the surplus thereby creating
! greater demand and necessarily higher
prices for our cotton; therefore lie 1t
Resolved, That special committee be
appointed by this convention to confer
with the President of the United States,
the Secretary of Agricul. and the man
| ufacturers of cotton goods to obtain such
concerted action as VIII eniarg. QUE trade
in cotton products in foreign countries
1 have the honor to inform you that
| pursuant to the above resolution, the con-
vention appointed Hon. Jonn Lowndes
| McLaurin, of the state of South Carolina.
Hon John NJ Parker, of the state of
Louisiana, and Mr.. Erister Ashcraft, of
the state of Alabama. on tbs committee.
have the honor to be,
Respectfully,
]. IL. WEYTE,
| Secretary Cotton Growers Convention.
| Florence Ala. January & 1905,
To the President ellington, ID. c.;
Dear Sir:-I have the honor herewith
| for your consideration resolution from
the Cotton Growers conve~ Ion held dur
ing the present week in the city of New
Orleans.
1 beg to inform you that MIR. John
| Lowndes NtcLaurin, of South Carolina,
Mr.. John NJ. Parker, of New Orleans, and
Mr.. Eristor Ashcraft of Alabama, were
| appointed by this convention to take up
| the practical work called for by this
resolution There will be added TO this
| committee representatives from the cot
ton mills of the south who are engaged
| in the export trade. We trust that the
object we have in view meets your APP
prevail and will receive such aid as you
NAV deem consistent with official duty.
The chairman of this committee is Mr..
John I.owndes McLaurin of Bennettsvile,
s G. VIII you kindly inform him
whether or not it will be agreeable to you
to cooperate with us along those lines,
and If so when 1t may +" your pleasure
to receive the committee. The committee
will consist of about twenty-five members,
| therefore beg that at least two weeks no.
tice be given us.
! I am enclosing under separate cover
copies of the New Orleans Times Demo-
crat of the 25th and 26th inst, and invite
your attention to the remarks of Mr.. A
Britten, president of the New Orleans ex-
! change, and Hon. John l.. McLaurin, as
showing the purposes the convention had
in mind in the adoption of this resolu-
| ton.
| L have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,
ERISTER ASHCRAFT,
| Secretary Special Committee on Foreign
| Trade. Cotton Growers Convention.
| Chorus Sinner In Flames.