The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-02-21
Cotton Associations Will Also
Be Investigated.
SPINNERS DECLARE WAR
Commissioner Garfield Construes Res
olution for Probing Exchanges to
Include Cotton Association
and Farmers Union.

construed the Livingston-Burieson cot
ton resolution, that recently passed
the house, to provide not only for
the investigation of the cotton ex-
changes dealing in futures, but also
for an investigation of the methods
of the great cotton and cotton seed
associations of the south.
He accordingly proposes to direct
an inquiry into the methods OF the
Farmers National Union, the South
ern Cotton Association, the National
Ginners' Association and other or.
ganizations of similar character.
The views of the corporation com.
missioner are not as yet generally
known among the southern congress-
men, but the few that have heard
of his intention express great sur.
prise. When the attitude OF the de.
partment becomes generally known,
it is bound to create a sensation, and
will no doubt meet with resentment
in the south among the members OF
the associations to be affected by the
inquiry.
Representative William, C. Lowering
of Massachusetts,, the member Of the
interstate commerce committee, who
reported the demanded resolution, is
authority for the statement that the
corporation commissioner will inves-
tisate the associations Of the south
in connection with the cotton ex-
changes. He himself is member OF
the New York cotton exchange, at.
which the original resolution was d.
rected.
Mr.. Lowering was also responsible
for the amendments that were tackled
onto the original resolution, and he
now very calmly asserts that it was
his purpose at the time to incorpc-
rate all of the associations of the.
south
why have one-sided investiga-
tion?' he asked when seen Friday.
Certainly the corporation commits.
sioner will investigate the Farmers
Union, the Southern Cotton Associa-
tion, the National Gipners, etc: He
can do nothing else under the pro-
visions of the resolution as it pass
ed the house. 1t was cur purpose to:
have a thorough investigation"
Representative Lowering continued
by saying that, in his opinion, the
associations of the south were or
ganized to advance the price of cot
ton, etc. He said these associations
are as much responsible for the fuc-
tuations as is the New York cotton
Mr.. Lowering is a New England spin.
ner, and as such he insists that the
spinners are entitled to know why.
and how the price of cotton is ad.
vanced as much so as the farmers
Of the south are to know why and
how it is beaten down.
'"The associations of the south are
combinations to bolster the price OF
cotton" continued Mr.: Lowering, land
l can assure you that the corpora.
tion commissioner will be given tes.
timony to bear out this statement.
II now develops that Mr.. Lowering
has been careful to have the amend
ed resolution so worded that the or
CARNATIONS were included. He was
wise enough to say not word about
this and as no one else suspected
as much at the time the resolution
was unanimously passed.
While it is known, that the South
ern Cotton Association, the Farmers
Union, etc., are legitimate organiza-
ton along cooperative lires and
should have nothing to fear from an
investigation. it is known that GER
tain interests are anxious to destroy
their usefulness if possible.
Representative Livingston express
ed surprise when informed OF the
new turn the matter has taken. He
insisted there must be a mistake, and
claimed that the corporation commits.
sioner had no right to investigate the
cotton associations under the terms
of the resolution. !
1T specifically provides for an in,
vestigation of cotton exchanges and
makes no mention of the associations
Of the. SOUTH" he said, "but Mr.. Low.
ering quotes the resolution as it pass
ed the house and as he says the cor:
poration commissioner understands.
it, ~. ... ,...-.. ... ... I:
A COMPULSORY PASS BILL +