The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-01-19
URGES PLANTERS
TO HOLD COTTON
Mr.. Foster Thinks It VIII Bring
10 Cents
NEW ORLEANS C0NVEN TON
Vice President of Cotton Growers AS
ISOLATION Is In Birminsham-5e-
sides Talking About Cotton
He Touches Politics.
NEW ORLEANS CONVEN TON

w. L. Foster, state railroad commits
sioner from the Third district of Louis
lana spent yesterday IN Birmingham as the
guest of County Solicitor H. P. Hehin. In
addition to his official position in the
Pelican state Mr.. Foster holds the office
of third vice president of the Southern
Cotton Growers association.
Regarding the cotton situation. re-
marked Mr.. Foster, 81 would advise that
all planters hold their cotton for Is cents
straight. The yield this year, or TO be
more exact the season of 19O5-06 will
show the crop several Thousand bales
short of the regular estimate over last
year
II have just returned from the annual
meeting of the Southern Cotton Growers
association which convened in New Or
leans. There a spirit of enthusiasm was
manifested among the planters which was
far beyond NY expectations The enthus-
iasm was of such character as to denote
that the planters realize the situation
which confronts them and it was with lit
tie persuasion that they were shown the
necessity of holding their staple for 10
cents. To my mind there is no doubt of the
fact that cotton will reach the price we
have urged before the termination of the
season, which in my state is In Septem-
Der.
President Jordan of our association is
one of the best informed men in the world
on cotton. He has made the matter a
life study and has rendered the cotton
growers of the south an inestimable SER
vice. His whole heart and soul is in the
work. He has benefited the cotton growers
in numerous ways His stand for a clean
and thorough system of giving out statis-
tics has endeared him to the growers OF the
fieecy staple and l believe that as long
as he desires to hold his position as head
of the association that honor will
be accorded him. l realize that some per-
sons may criticlse him put they are in
the minority to such an extent that their
complaints receive little consideration"
Louisiana Politics.
what about the political situation in
louisiana" Mr.. Foster was asked.
"That is question that dislike to dis
cuss," he replied, "but inasmuch as it has
been asked, do not mind saying that 1
ant governor, will be the next chief .execu-
tive of the state, Governor Blanchard, by
his interference with affairs in the city Of
New Orleans, including the state deposit
tory matter, has encountered an opposi-
ton which think will snow him under.
In Louisiana 1t is well known that I am
not a Blanchard man, though my father
was a staunch friend of the present gov
ernor when he needed a friend
Governor Blanchard was in Congress
from the Shreveport district for a num-
Der of years and was appointed to the
Senate by Governor Foster to succeed Ed
ward White who had been appointed
member of the United States supreme
court Governor Blanchard, from what /
learned in New Orleans, is all in as far
as politics in Louisiana is concerned His
interference with local matters in New
Orleans has caused several of the ward
bosses to ally themselves against him. He
has senatorial aspirations. which firmly
believe will be shattered when the legis-
lature meets next to elect a successor to
either Senator Foster or Senator Nc
Emery"
The Cotton Picker.
Speaking of his visit to Alabama, Mr..
Foster said Every person who knows
me, knows that I am planter pure and
simple though I acknowledge that I do
dabble in politics In my state. I spent yes
terday in Montgomery witnessing the
workings Of a mechanical cotton picker
in that city. To my mind l think the thing
is a success in every way. We tried 1t in
Louisiana and 1t proved beyond our ex-
pectations practical. believe that the day
will soon como when machines will take
the place of negro cotton pickers in the
field. The Montgomery experiment as well
as the experiment In Louisiana, have
proved successes, aud see no reason why
the cotton picker should not be adopted