The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-02
Officers Elected for a Ptrna-
 nanent Organization
JORDAN IS VICE PRESIDENT
Speculation In Cotton Futures Is the Greatest Evil of Modern Times, Thinks Harvey Jordan-Wants
 Concert of Action.

Washington, May 1.-The international conference of Cotton Growers and Cotton Manufacturers began a two days session here today. Represented at the confer ence was the American Manufacturers Cotton association, the Cotton Manufac- turers' association, the United States Census Bureau, the Department of Agri- cuture the Southern Cotton association, the National Manufacturers association Qormerly the New England Cotton Manu- facturers association), the National Gin- ners' association, the New York and New Orleans Cotton Exchange, the lnterna- tional Federation of Master Cotton Spin nens and Manufacturers association and the Farmers Educational and Cooper ative Union.
 A permanent organization was perfect ed. the following officers being elected:
 President, James R. Maccoll president of the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers; First vice president, liar vie Jordan, president of the Southern Cot ton association; second vice president, R. .H Miller, president of the American Manufacturers Cotton associations; third vice president, H. M. McAllister of the Int national Federation; Secretaries Richard Cheatham, c. J. Woodbury and C. B. Bryant.
 President Maccol opened the proceed ings by brief address, in which he ex- presse dthe view that the meeting would throw much light on the problems that confront the cotton industries in this country and at the same time assist in better understanding of the representa- tiyes of several interests. Among the problems he enumerated the question or an ample supply of cotton for the world needs The stability of price; speculation; the better handling of cotton; the accu- racy of government crop reports.
 Does Nc Want Low Prices.
 Mi. Maccoll did not believe that Amer ian manufacturers wanted to see low y)riced cotton that was unproftable 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 improvement made in the growing of cotton in order that the price might be reduced without reducing the margin of proflt.
 On account of the established system of trading in futures by optional con- tracts, MT. Maccoll declared that specu- lation had been injurious to the legiti- mate industries of cotton growing and manufacturing and he hoped the confer ence would suggest a way to least con- trol speculation that it might be the least hurtful. He also expressed the hope in view of the wide differences of opinion regarding government cotton re- ports that the conference would be dl- rected towards an accurate report that would be helpful to the industry.
 During the discussion which followed on the subject of cotton production there nj ipaitW of growers that there were no improved methods for the cultivation of cotton. Several of the southern growers made vlg- orous speeches, in which the sentiment as expressed that unless the manufac- turers and growers could get together on some basis which would give fair profit to both, the production of cotton in the south would be still further reduced and the cotton held for an adequate price.
 Labor Getting Scarce.
 Representative Livingston of Georgia took exception to the opening remarks of MT Maccoll and said they were unfair to the growers of the south It, he said, the manufacturers would explain what it costs to manufacture, and if they would say that there seemed to be a commercial, financial antagonisrh between the spinner and producers, the growers would show their hands and tell within a farthing what it costs to make cotton. But" he said, T think it will be hard for you to pull that proposition out of this House now" He declared that while the pre- Guction of cotton had increased some. labor was getting more scarce each year. The mills were taking the laborers away from the farms and the young negro don t go back to the farms. We have a 'sys- tenn of education down south," he said. that educates the negro away from the farm and not to the farm. Booker Wash lngton Is trying to correct that as much as he can. He is having some success but It is small compared with the great bulk of negroes who grow up and drift to the towns, cities and villages. After awhile he said the manufacturers would get them all and then the south would get another class of laborers that would stick to the field. He decided that In the south, a laborer could not be found who would use a gang blow and that there was not a cotton picker in the world and that there never would be. Address ing himself to the spnners. MT Livings- ton said that the growers were liberal to them and if the Lord lets us live and gives us a little more time, we will hold cotton back until you want 1t 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 1t to New York and holding it over the spot mar ket and when the friends of the south undertook to put the price up to living figure they stick that cotton in your face and the spinners won't buy. As a remedy he suggested that every legislature in the south pass a law providing that Wal street cannot do business in the state.
 E. D. Smith of Arkansas stated that the growers were organizing themselves to reduce the acreage simply in self pro- lection. Never again he said, would they submit to the dictation of an absurd fuctuation with the crop known at the caprice of half dozen gamblers If the southern growers were not met on fail basis. he said. "the southern grower, witf a monopoly. is going to put the cotton fir a southern warehouse put a key on it finance it with southern money and de. snand their price, He did not want g horde of men between the field and fac tory.
 Mr. Jordan called upon the spnners te