The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-10


 every pledge made by the association had been redeemed. In the face of the big gest crop of cotton ever produced, by the united efforts of all southern interests, 10 cents and over was paid us for, even what we were told was a surplus. In the history of the cotton trade whenever large crop has been produced by the south, not only was the penalty paid by low prices for that crop, but the so- called surplus was invariably figured into the following years crop. The ex- planation being always Ia big surplus brought over from last year makes an enormous amount of available cotton in existence"
 That was sufficient excuse to lower prices, and we were paid any old price our masters saw it to offer us. By the efforts of the association this invariable rule, without a single exception, until the birth of the Southern Cotton associa- tfon, was smashed into thousand frag- nents. Eleven cents was secured by the 1st of November, and right in the very middle of the settling season for the crop following the bumper crop. Wonderful achievements But before this was accom- plished the south saw practically one half of the crop sold at figures ranging from 91sc to 10c per pound.
 As already stated on September 6, 1905, the executive committee of the Southern Cotton assoclation the Farmers Educa- tional and Comparative union and the American Society of Equity each declared Il cents price to which the producer was entitled. The Society of Equity expressed it's minimum differently. But in practice it was the same as the other two big or ganZations. They fixed a minimum of F cents middling in New York
 The trade generally agreed that we were conservative, and as d matter of right were entitled to our il cents. But Immediately following our action the bear" spectators and the spinners of the world got busy. Just after the Ash vile meeting there was meeting or Spinners in Manchester. England. They passed a resolution which was telegraphed broadcast over the south, declaring that they would decline to enter the market during the months of September, October and November, unless they could purchas our cotton around and cents per pound, and they also threatened short time" have before me a copy of the telegrams sent out from Manchester and which ap- peared in practically every paper in the south.
 President Jordan immediately advised the south to pay no attention to these threats. He had fortified himself with in formation which convinced him that this was a mere bluff" The spinners had al ready sold for future delivery the out put of their mills from four to ten months ahead, and at figures which would justify their paying us a much higher price for our cotton than our min imum of Il cents. When they found that this bluff was called" and didn't do the work they intended it should, they then took up, with telling effect, the advantage they had by reason of our poverty. and this was used with relentless cruelty in many sections of the belt.
 By taking advantage of the necessities of the farmers during the months of Sep tember and October, knowing that large per cent of the liquidations of the years indebtedness must be met during those two months, by persistent hammering of the markets and sending broadcast all sorts of 'bear dope" of most ingenious manufacture, the market was forced down to 91a cents
 Their methods were most exasperating and the tremendous advantage they had in having unlimited money, while we were practically without funds, made it impos- SlDle LOT 1TeSlueHL JOrudH lO COuHleIdCl the demolishing influences of their dis torted reports intended to force down cotton by predicting lower prices, and thereby making the ''weak-kneed' pan icky.
 During this period of depression thou sands of letters and telegrams were pour ing in to President Jordan daily de- manding to know the cause and calling, in many instances, upon him to stop it. IIa6 hn ind hn T1n nf.xy money to the association to enable him to wire the true condition each day, and have the same appeal in the columns of our press, which the bears were filling by the yard everywhere, the victory would have been ours from the begin ming, but this treasury was so lean that it was impossible for him to even reply promptly by letter or wire to inquiries made. Such a condition you can easily see was discouraging in the extreme.
 Each morning MT. Jordan awoke only to see in all the papers columns of false statements wired into the south by these speculators. He knew what the effect would be, but he was powerless to stop it. The object was to depress the price and get as much as they could at as low figures as possible.
 President Jordans hands were tied by lack of funds which the south should have supplied him To those who know Harvie Jordan as I do, it is unnecessary to comment upon the effect of such condi- tions. No man in history or alive today has the good of his people more at heart than he. There is no sacrifice he would not make to secure their prosperity. Never rich man, he is today much poor CT than when he was elected president of the association. He is working without salary, supplying money from his private means to carry on the fight to benefit his people. Their troubles are more keenly felt by him than his personal discom- fiture.
 With these conditions confronting him, he was almost desperate. The loss of all he possessed would not have effected him more than conditions he was forced to witness, seeing his people robbed and powerless to check the plunder, yet he was sure it could have been stopped had he the means of properly informing and warning his people. Surely a spirit of re- venge can be understood, appreciated and forgiven him.
 During this period he did all it was pos sible for any man to do, with the means at his command. He had every available man at work gathering facts on the cot ton situation.
 Enough loyal. seIf-sacrificing men, who fortunately could hold cotton without em- | barrassment, by reason of being flnan- cially independent, had by living up to | the programme of the association achieved another victory by commanding 1 Il cents for their cotton. But it was im- possible for Jordan to forget the hun dreds of unfortunate farmers, who, with out the ability to protect themselves. though just as loyal as the strongest and largest holders, had been plundered by | those yamDireS.