The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-13
.HARV|E JORDAN ON
 19O6 COTTON AREA Says That Farmers Should Reduce 25 Per Cent EXPLAINS THE SITUATION Says That Farmers Who Reduced 25 Per Cent Last Year Will Not Be
 Expected to Reduce
 This Year.
EXPLAINS THE SITUATION

ern Cotton asso1ation has issued statement in regard to the cotton area for 1sO6 He takes up the resolution pass ed at the recent convention and meet ing of the executive committee in New Orleans and discusses the matter of 25 per cent reduction.
 Copies of the statement reached Bir- mingham yesterday morning and were distributed among the cotton men of the city. The full text of Mir. Jordan's let ter follows:
 What shall the cotton area of the south be in 1906? This question can be asked by anyone. It can alone be definitely and correctly answered by that great army of cotton growers. who will solve the problem for themselves and the world within the next ninety days. The great cotton convention, which met at New Orleans, La, January 11-13 1906, and the executive committee of the southern cot ton association, which convened at the same place on January 10, both. harmo- niously and without a dissenting voice, passed and recommended the following resolution:
 Resolution Passed.
 Believing that the 25 per cent reduc- ton in cotton acreage, recommended and insisted upon by the Southern Cotton association at Its meeting at New Or leans. La. a year ago was eminently wise and salntary, this committee suggests with all the insistence at it's command that for the year 1906 the Cotton associa- ton cndeavor to continue that work, to the end that the original 25 per cent redue- tlon from the acreage of 1904 may be ac- complished in the year 1906"
 It is generally admitted that the re- duction in cotton acreage for 1905 amount ed to ap average of 15 per cent. The de- mand for full reduction of 20 per cent from the enormous area planted in 1904 would mean that we must still further reduce the area planted in 1906 from that of 1905 at least 10 per cent. Those far mers who reduced their cotton acreage 20 per cent last year will not be asked to reduce again this year. but they will be expected to hold their acreage down to that planted last year. Those farmers who did not reduce last year are expected to cut their acreage 25 per cent this year. The man who reduced 15 per cent last year Is expected to cut his acreage another 10 per cent this year. In other words, 1t Is imperative that the cotton area planted on every farm in the south this year shall be at least 25 per cent less than that planted in the spring of 1904.
 This is easily understood and should be strictly carried into practical opera ton if the advice of the best brains from leading southern farmers the Southern Cotton association and the perls of over production are to be needed. The far mers are generally getting Into posi- ton of thrift and independence. This Is due to the fact that for the past few years with but one exception, the crops of cotton grown have not materially ex- ceeded the demands for consumption, and fairly good prices have prevailed.
 Area Was Too Large.
 That the area planted in cotton last year was too large there can be no ques- tion of doubt But for the bad climatic conditions prevailing in the southwestern states, we would have produced over 12,- O00,OO0 bales and suffered tremendous de- pression in prices With the area planted in 1905, which amounted to 27000, GOO acres, 1t Is easily possible with normal sea sons, to produce crop of over 13.00000 bales. What is the sensible thing to do: cut the acreage and hold production with in the limits of consumption at good prices, or plant largely, produce supera- bundantly and sell at ruinous prices? This is the question which now eonfronts every cotton grower in the south. Diversifca- ton is the keynote to the proper solu- ton of the problem. Plant more land in food-supply crops less land in cotton; live at home and sell your staple crops slow ly, and at prices showing a profit on the years labor. Cotton Is today the cheapest commodity on the market, figuring the true cost of It's production.
 The true doctrine of divershcation and reduction in cotton acreage will be preach cd from every hill top and valley. by the officers and members of tfr Southern Cotton association, during the next ninety days. The entire southern press will be urged to lift It's voice in behalf of these two fundamental propositions upon which the south must stake her fortunes in 1906 The wise man will heed this ad- vice and exercise every possible influence over any of his neighbors who are not dis posed to exercise prudence before 1t is too late. Make your farms self-sustain- Ing and grow happy and prosperous.
 As the markets of the world are grad uallv btoadened and the demand increases then. and not til then, let the acreage planted in cotton be increased. Regulate the supply to meet the present existing demand for consumption. and thereby have a controlling voice in the prices of the raw product. No power on earth can controll prices when the legitimate laws of supply and demand are reclSlessly dis regarded. The farmers are the arbiters of their future fortunes. We will point the way to success. Pause and reflect before 1t is too late.
 HARVIE JORDAN,
 President Southern Cotton Association.
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