The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-12-05
COTTON ASSOCIATION.
An Open Letter to tho President OF
the Abbeville Association.
Published hv reuuest I. A. kellar,

The principal depressing factor il
the cotton market at this time Is IN
too sapid selling Of the staple by far
mers and merchants. All kinds o
misleading and exaggerated reports
regarding the congestion of cotton a
compresses and interior points are be
ing wired all over Europe and this
country for the purpose of depressing
prices. 1t cannot be denied that the
movement of the crop to market dur
ing the past 80 days has been on toe
extensive a scale to maintain a stable
market at profitable and satisfactory
prices to the growers.
Big crop ideas have been exploded
by indisputable facts. This crop will
not be large enough to supply the
enormous demands of the cotton trade
during the next twelve months. The
prices of cotton goods in all lines are
weekly advancing. 1t is due entirely
to the existence of a 'bearish" specu-
lative market, strengthened by the too
rapid selling of spot cotton, which Is
forcing down prices below a fair prof
liable basis. This unwarranted and
illegitimate violation of the true laws
of supply and demand will continue
until spot holders strengthen their po-
sition by q slower movement of the
staple to market.
There is but p course to pursue at
this time to bring about normal con-
ditions. > Store every bale of cotton
under good and safe protection, which
can be possibly held, either on the
farm or in local warehouses. Higher
prices are sure to be realized if the
crop Is marketed intelligently. The
present price of cotton is too low. Ev-
cry farmer in the South should resist
to the last ditch the present effort to
hammer down the market for purely
speculative purposes. Every. banker
and merchant in the South should ex-
ert their utmost to assist the farms re-
in fighting the ''bearish" cotton trade.
Leading farmers, merchants and
bankers in all of the different cotton
growing counties throughout the cot
ION belt should call the people together
IN public meetings AT ONCE in their
respective communities and inaugu-
rate an effective campaign for tying
I'D the crop until prices are once more
placed on O satisfactory basis. Act
promptly and effectively. 1t is the
wisest and safest step to take at this
time. Stop the rapid movement Of
spot cotton and the speculative ele-
ment will be powerless to depress the
market. Yours truly,
Harvie Jordan,
Pres. s. C. A.
The regular annual reorganization
of the Southern Cotton Association
and election of officers for the year
1907 will take place in the neal future.
Meetings will be called in all the civil
subdivisions, counties or parishes and
of the cotton belt. The county
meetings are hereby called for the Sec
ond Saturday in December in all the
cotton growing counties at their re-
spective county seats for the purpose
of electing officers for the ensuing year
and to select from one to three repre-
to attend the State division
meetings to be held at all the State
capitals on the first Wednesday In
January, 1907. At the State division
meetings the State officers must be
elected and also the members Of the
new national executive committee.
The meeting of the national executive
committee will be held at Birming-
ham, Ala, January 1918, 1907, at
which time the officers of the national
association will be elected and the pol.
icies of the association outlined for
the year 1907. The annual conven-
ton of the Southern Cotton Associa-
tion will be held at Birmingham, Ala,
Jan. 1918 which will be attended by
delegates from all over the South.
Said delegates to be chosen by the va
rious counties without restriction to
number. These dates are condensed
follows:
County meetings, Saturday, Dec. 8,
1906.
State meetings, Wednesday, Jan. 2,
1907. .
Executive committee, Tuesday and
Wednesday, Jan. 1916, 1907.
General convention, Thursday, Fri
day and Saturday, Jan. II Is, 10, 1907.
PROMPT ATTENTION DESIRED.
To maintain the power and efhcien-
CIV of the Southern Cotton Association
l. is imperative that these meetings he
fully attended by the people and the
best men that can be selected as officers
to the various positions to be TILED
Indifference of inaction will seriously
cripple the efficiency of the associa.
ton. The association ia in need OF
funds to properly carry on its work
and 1t Is earnestly hoped that at al
the county meetings the annual dues
will he promptly paid up. The South
ern Cotton Association has saved mil.
lions of dollars to the South in the
past two years of its existence and II
should receive the loyal and patriotic
support of all the people in the South,
In Che meantime stand pat for higher
prices and sell the balance of the crop
as slowly as possible. Continuous
storms, frosts and freezes has cut the
crop down to q supply inadequate to
meet the demands of the cotton trade
for 1907 and present prices are too low
Let US have a great rally OF the people
at these meetings and with renewed
hope and courage, deeply thanking an
Almighty Providence for the blessings
which the South has enjoyed for the
past two years, cement u hearts anc
thoughts into a closer bondage of uni
ty for the material and moral upbuiid
ing of our dearly beloved country. AL
daily and weekly papers earnestly re
quested to publish.
Yours truly,
Harvie Jordan,
Pres. 8. G. A.