The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-05-04

DO BuSineSS in That State-HarVie
Jordan Addresses the Association on
the General Cotton Situation-Day
of Producing Cheap Cotton He De-
cIares is Passed-Ouestion Of Labor
in the South Discussed.
Washington, May 1.-The first inter-
national conference of cotton growers
and cotton manufacturers began a two
days session in this city today. Rep
resented at the conference were the fol-
lowing:
The American Cotton Manufacturers
Association, the National Association
of Manufacturers, the United States
Census Bureau, the Department of Ag-
rlculture, the Southern Cotton Associa-
ton, the National Association Of Cotton
Manufacturers, formerly the New
England Cotton Manufacturers Asso-
ciation), the National Ginners Associ-
alton, the New York and New Orleans
cotton exchanges, the International
Federation Of Master Cotton Spinners
n members of associations, and the
Farmers Educational and Cooperative
union.
A permanent organization was eff
fected, the following officers being
elected:
President-James r. McColl, presi-
dent of the National Association of Cot
ton Manufacturers.
First Vice President-Harvie Jor-
dan, president of the Southern Cotton
Association.
Second Vice President-R. NJ. Miller,
Jr., president American Cotton Manu-
facturers Association.
Third Vice Presidential. W. McAlis-
ter, of the International Federation.
observation-disclosures Cheatham, c.. J.
H. Woodbury. and c.. B. Bryant.
President McColl opened the pro-
ceedings by a brief address in which he
expressed the view that the meeting
would throw much light upon the prob<
lens that confront the cotton indus
try in this country, and at the same
time assist in a better understanding
among the representatives of the sew
eral interests.
Among those problems he enumerat-
ed the question of an ample supply OF
cotton for the worlds needs; the sta
bility of prices; speculation; the better
handling of cotton; the accuracy Of
government crop reports.
Mr.. McCOll did not believe that
American manufacturers wanted to see
a Tow cotton that was improbable to
the southern growers whom he thought
were entitled to a fair and ample profit.
At the same time he felt that economy
should be practiced and improvements
made in the growing of cotton IN order
that the price might be reduced with
out reducing the margin Of profit.
Representative Livingston, of Geor-
gia, took exception to the opening re-
marks of Mr.. McColl, and said that
they were unfair to the growers of the
south. If, he said, the manufacturers
would explain what it costs to manu-
facture, and if they would say that
there seems to be a commercial, fnan-
cial, antagonism between the spinner
and producer. the owe would show
their hands and tell within a farthing
what 1t costs to make cotton. But"
he said, 81 think it will be hard for you
to pull that proposition out of his
house now"
Addressing himself to the spinners,
Mr.. Livingston said that the growers
were liberal to them land if the Lord
lets US five and give us a little more
time. we Will old cotton back until
you want it and you will buy it at our
hands"
The growers were embarrassed in
raising cotton, he said, "by this new
Wall street system of slipping down
south and buying large quantities OF
cotton and taking it to New York and
holding it over the spot market and
when the friends of the south under
take to put the price up to a living
figure they stick that cotton IN your
face and the spinner wont buy.
AS a remedy he suggested that every
legislature in the south pass a law pro-
viding that Wall street cannot do bus
mess in that state.
Mr.. Jordan called upon the spinners
to answer the question as to what the
consumption of cotton would be for the
year 1906. None of them was in a po-
sftion to say.
J. r. Montgomery, of the National
Association of Cotton Manufacturers,
expressed sympathy with the desire OF
the growers to get a profit % their
product.
Mr.. Hickman, of the American Man
ufacturers association, said that the
question of Mr.. Jordan could not posi-
bly, be answered, because the mills
consumed a different quantity Of cotton
each year according to the sale of he
goods they were making. The trade
he said, varied considerably.
Messrs. McAllister and Gregg, Of En-
gland, entertained a similar view.
The afternoon session was presided
over by Haryie Jordan, president of the