The Forrest City times., 1905-02-24
COTTON GROWERS MEL.
8. H. BURNETT OF YELL COUNTY
 ELECTED PRESIDENT.
Action Taken Shows Discrimination to Carry Out Reduced Acreage and Other Reform Plans.

Cotton growers of Arkansas met at Little Rock on the 21st inst. for the purpose of perfecting State organ ization and formulating plans to secure reduction of the cotton acreage in the state. This is in accordance with the plans adopted by the Southern Cotton Growers Association at New Orleans several weeks ago The State body adopted constitution out lining the plans of the organization, providing for the reduction of 25 per cent in the acreage and fertilizer and urging that the government take some etion to widen the markets and ful an outlet for the surplus The associaiiop effected a perman. ent organization by electing B. H. Burnett of Yell county president. Col. John c. Fletcher of Little Rock vice president and C. D. Miller of Colum- bia county treasurer
 Resolutions Adopted.
 The following list of resolutions were adopted by the conventions:
 First. Resolved That all counties are granted until March 20 to make reports on the percentage of the re- duction of the cotton acreage
 Second Resolved, That every landlord merchant and banker. throughout the entire cotton belt. be requested to sign the following pledge: | We, the landlords, merchants and bankers of the cotton growing states and territories. voluntary agree that we will do everything In our power, individually and collectively, to en- force 25 per cent reduction of cot ton acreage for the year 1905 {. Resolved. That correct and accu- rate ginners' statistics should be se- cured, and we ask for such legisla- tion as will secure this result
 Resolved, That we recommend and urge our state legislature to en- act law providing for the holding of farmers institutes in the various | counties of the state to the end that those engaged in the pursuits of az
 
 cd in such methods as will tend to render their calling more profitable, alike to the individual and to the state.
 Whereas, The use of commercial fertilizer is increasing year by year in Arkansas; and.
 Whereas, Nearly all the other ct tria viding for the inspection of fertil- izers; and
 Whereas, The present inspection law of Arkansas is ineffective and of no force or benefit; and
 Whereas. There is now pending in the legislature bill providing for inspection and making our law uni form with that of the other states:
 Therefore. be it resolved That we we respectfully ask the general as- sembly to enact said bill into a law to the end that we may have the same protection in the use of fertilizers that other states have
 Resolved. That it is the sense Of the Cotton Association of Arkansas that all cotton growers of the South | are morally bound by the action of the New Orleans convention, and that any and all parties who are offer ing their cotton for sale at this time are acting in bad faith, and we sub- init same and most earnestly urge that all merchants, person or persons. hold their cotton as per the plans out lined in the New Orleans convention"
 The executive committee was elect ed, and the president was empowered. by resolution. to employ secretary to assist him in the work. w. J. White addressed the conven- tion, outlining in detail the plans adopted by the New Orleans conven- tion for holding cotton in warehouses. and urging. in conclusion upon every meber of the convention to use his personal influence in his county and neighborhood for the benefit of the organization.
 President Burnett thanked the members of the convention for the honor done him, and said that under the constitution and bylaws adopted he would see that organizers were put at work in every county at once, where organization has not been per fected. and he requested all delegates to communicate with him regarding the men to fill these positions.
 At a meeting of the executive committee held after the convention adjourned letter was drafted to several prominent cotton men asking them to solicit funds for the Arkan- sas branch of the Associated Cotton Growers.