The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-26
ELABORATE PLAN OUTLINED
FOR SECURING THE RESULT
Captain Hobson Addresses the Dele
gates-Mr. Summerwell Urges the
Building of Substantial Ware
houses at Important Points.

New Orleans. January 25.-Firmly be-
lieving it to be the most important step
in the solution of the cotton problem,
the Southern Interstate Cotton eonven-
tion without a dissenting vote today
declared in favor of IS per cent re-
duction In acreage and an equal reduc-
tion in commercial fertilizer and backed
that action up with the adoption of a
comprehensive plan to secure the sup
port of every farmer, big and little In
the cotton belt. An overwhelming ma
jority of the delegates were present when
the report was received and so important
was 1t considered that decisive and har-
monious action should be taken, that the
convention decided to take up, consider
and act upon the committees report
without further delay.
Morning Session.
The forenoon programme embraced
three set addresses with provision for
thirty minutes discussion of each topic
held.
President Jordan presided. The proceed
ings opened with an address on plan
for practical and profitable storing of
cotton in warehouses in the south by
Hon. H. K. Summerwell of New York,
a prominent corporation lawyer who,
representing the American Warehouse
mems association conducted the free
storage cases" before the interstate
commerce commission.
Mr.. Summerwell Speaks.
Mr.. summerwell said in part: II advo-
cate as the true solution of the question
before us the storing of cotton at nat
ural points, by local warehouse compa-
MES united however, through general
storage warehouse company, which shall
provide for them uniform receipts and
methods and exercise over them such
supervision as may justly inspire conf
dence in them, and make their receipts
good collateral the world over
1.-THE natural storage points are not the
villages or hamlets where a few bales
are marketed, but the concentration points
where an ample supply warrants the
erection of standard modern, sprinkler
system warehouses. Any other are worse
than useless. Insurance rates alone pro-
hibit their use. Until within recent years
the cost of sprinkler appliances and STAN
dard construction stood somewhat in the
way, but now, reinforced concrete slow
burning materials and sharp competition
in sprinkler system a f1rst-class warehouse
for thirty thousand bales can be fully
equipped and operated with ample grounds
in good location with not over $4,000
capital and the investment becomes
profitable one at once Built on the COM
partment plan. the warehouse is available
for general storage when not needed for
cotton and the system on the whole is
of the highest value to every fair sized
town and city of the south"
On motion of Hon. J. Pope Brown of
Georgia, a finance committee was ordered
created to raise $4,000 to cover the cost
of distribution of the reports of the pro-
ceedings President Jordan said the mer-
chants of New Orleans offered to give
$1,000 of the amount required. The conven-
tion promptly raised the pro rata.
Wants Census Plan Approved.
President Jordan read the following i'm
portant telegram from Director North Of
the census bureau:
Accept my thanks for invitation to
address cotton growers convention. 1t
does not seem necessary that census Of
ficers should be represented. It's position
has been made perfectly plain In my let
ter to Congressman Burleson If cotton
planters do not want these ginners' re-
ports continued and are unwilling to
cooperate heartily to maintain and per-
feet them, the reports will be abandoned
after this session. Affirmative action by
the convention approving these reports
would greatly aid the census bureau in
its efforts to carry out the law.
The telegram was referred to the com
nittee on statistics.
President Jordan announced that he had
wired to Mr.. North asking him to tele-
graph the convention not later than to-
morrow at noon the ginners' report made
up to January 49, information of great
importance which he believed the conven-
ton desired.
A motion by Mr. Clanahan of Louis
Vile. was adopted for the appointment of
committee to invite ex-Congressman
Thomas E. Watson of Georgia to address
the convention.
j. H. Dargan of Georgia on cotton ware
house insurance. the convention took a
recess until afternoon.
Afternoon Session.
At the opening of the afternoon session
former Senator McLaurin of South Car
olina spoke along the lines of national
protection for the cotton grower, saying
that heretofore the cotton planter had
been sacrificed to the doctrine of free raw
materials. A reference to President
Roosevelts friendliness to the south pro-
voked feeble demonstration on the part
of the audience.
Former Governor Jester of Texas, for
the committee on holding and financing
the balance of the present crop. presented
a report setting forth that each state and
local section seems amply able to finance
its present holdings. The committee be-
lieyed the cotton now in the hands of the
producer should remain on the farm or
be stored in local warehouses protected
against weather and fire, and said that
the banks and commission men evinced a
willingness to aid in marketing the bal
ance of the crop so as to hold in check
any disposition TO rush in cotton unduly
and break the market.
Belief was expressed that % per cent
reduction In acreage and 25 per cent re-
auction in fertilizers will solve the cotton
problem. After the convention had voted