The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-22
BIRMINGHAM CAN
Win COTTON MEN
BY GOING To WORK
Is Logical Place for Headquar-
tiers of the Southern Cot
ton Association
NEW ERA HAS DAMNED
FOR SOUTHERN FARMER
Value of Headquarters lncalculable as
an Advertisement to Birmingham,
and the Plum Is There
for the Picking.
BY WALTER HARPER.

power and usefulness But few people
who attended the three days sessions
of the convention held at the Hippodrome,
at Seventeenth street and Third avenue,
realized the real Importance of the gath
ering, the momentous questions that We're
being decided and the far-reachng plans
that were being developed by the broad-
minded men behind the organization.
The most important work of the as
ISOLATION was accomplished behind closed
doors at the city hall by the executive
committee, which was in almost con-
slant session during the meeting OF the
mass convention at the Hippodrome. 1t
was really in session four days, hav-
ing assembled one day prior to the meet
ing of the convention.
While many of the citizens of Bir-
mingham were a little disappointed In
the attendance, they should congratu-
late themselves on the advertisement that
the meeting gave the city For one week
the eyes of the financial world were set
toward Birmingham with expectancy and
in some sections with much fear and
uncertainty.
The result of the work accomplished
and the plans formulated by the Southern
Cotton association in Birmingham last
week will be felt in the business world
for years, maybe centuries to come. In
my opinion the convention just closed
marks an epoch in the history of the
south.
In his address before the convention
last Friday, Ex-Governor D. C. Hayward
of South Carolina said that the conven-
ton was one of the most important ever
held in the history of the world. This
sentiment was expressed by more than
one of the important speakers who came
to address the members of the association
and lend a helping hand in the great
work of the organization.
Feared Dissolution.
At the time of the assembling of the
convention in Birmingham last week the
association was nearing the point of dis
solution. Sharp criticism skillfully han
died by the enemies of the association
and the southern cotton planter against
the great leader of the movement, Har-
vie Jordan, had found willing audience
among many of the misguided MEM
bers of the association, and being con-
emily even in the ranks of his friends.
President Jordan came to Birmingham
with the determination to retire from
the presidency, and inded, went so far
as to announce to the executive COM
mittee that he would not accept re-elec-
ton.
1t is said that large number of the
members and erstwhile friends of the
association had come TO believe that the
organization was a failure and expected
dissolution at this years meeting. 1t is
said by leaders of the association that
this would have been the result had
Mr.. Jordan refused to remain at the
head of the association.
Tt was more than pleasing to the men,
bers of the executive committee and
other officers of the association who were
familiar with the unshaking fidelity and
the inestimable value of Mr. Jordan's
service that the people in -conven-
ton realized the mistake that had been
made and gave him unquestioned endorse
ment. With this Mr.. Jordan was induced
to ACCEPT reelection on the promise that
the members of the association would
give him the financial and moral support
that is necessary to carry out the new
plans of the organization.
Broad Business Plane.
The plans of the Southern Cotton assoc
citation outlined at the convention last
week are on a broad business plane, and
if carried out, and there is every reason
to believe that they will be, it means
entire emancipation of the southern
farmer from the slavery in which he has
been held for the past forty years.
Unlike any other producer in the world,
the southern cotton planter, on account
of the incubus of debt, has been forced
to accept any price for his produce that
| might be named by the speculaters and
spinners. The farmer is in better con-
dition than ever before since the war
and feels that the time has come FOR
him to assert his rights and have some
thing to say in the fixing of the price OF
cotton.
| The executive committee of the South
ern Cotton association last week author
lied President Jordan to charter the or
ganization on modern business principles
and plans were also formulated for the
organization of powerful holding COM
pany within the association to cover
every cotton growing county in the south.
To Erect Warehouses.
Warehouses are to be erected in every
county as rapidly as possible in which
the members of the association may store
their cotton where 1t will be held for
reasonable price. Certificates will be
issued on the cotton so stored on which
the holders may draw money from the
banks at a reasonable rate of interest
for pressing necessities and to meet
pressing obligations. 1t Is believed by the
officials of the association that this
plan will be effective in protecting the
southern cotton planter from the slumps
In prices attendant on the distress move
ment of the product.
Since the south produces about so per
cent of the worlds cotton the impor-
lance of such movement is readily seen
and it is easy TO understand why the
meeting of the Southern Cotton associa-
tion in Birmingham last week was
watched with such interest by every
business interest not only in America,
but in the world.
The chartering of the Southern Cotton
association and the organization Of the