The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1907-10-10
COTTON MEN meet
Gathering In Atlanta of Users
and Producers
WILL FIGHT THE SPECTATORS
A Lively Fight Over the Regulation
or Prohibition Of Speculative Deal
Ing In the Staple Promises TO Be the
Chief Feature Of the International
Conference.

Atlanta, Ga, Speeial.-With dele
gates present representing every phase
of the cotton int.astry from the ti1ae
it leaves the planters hands 10 tire
time when the product woven into
fabrics Is sent TO markets of the
world, and including representatives
of many foreign countries, the inter
national conference of cotton spin
ners and growers met at the STATE
Capitol building in this city for a
three-day session. More than 500
delegates were present, nearly hum
dred of these representing the great
mills of Germany, Great Britain,
France, Italy, Spain and Portugal,
with an aggregate wealth In farm
lands, cotton crop and mills of nearly
four billions of dollars.
During the sessions questions of the
greatest Importance to grower and
spinner alike will be taken up for
discussion and action, and it is hoped
that this meeting vii result in bet
ter understanding between the men
who produce cotton and those who
weave the staple into fabrics.
That this will result was indicated
by the talk of many of the delegates
after the addresses at this session,
in which the great losses to spinners
by reason of poor methods of hand
ling and shipping the raw product
were shown and the great saving that
would be effected to both grower and
spinner If more system and care were
used in the initial handling of the pro-
ducts of the fields.
A lively fight for regulation or pro-
hlbltion of speculative dealing in cot
ton was also indicated before the COM
mittee on buying and selling when
Congressman Hefin, of Alabama, i'll
troduced a resolution asking the con-
ference to memorable Congress and
the British Parliament to stop specu-
lation in cotton except that actually
owned. But the fact that an investi-
CATION following a similar resolution
had resulted in a refusal by the Brit
ish law-making body to disturb exist
ing conditions was brought out, and
a favorable report by the sub-com-
mittee to which the matter was fin
ally referred will undoubtedly be ac-
complished by vigorous minority re-
port against any such action.
Governor Hoke Smith, of Georgia,
in his address of welcome to the dele
gates, caused much applause by ad-
vocating the ginning, compressing and
baling of cotton on the plantation
and abclishing the manipulation Of
the middle man, and undoubtedly this
feature Of the cotton industry will
receive much attention.
Tile moining session was taken up
largely with addresses of welcome
and responses and the appointment
Of committees.
IN his opening address Mr. Macoll
outlined the objects Of the conference
aud made suggestions for the elimi-
nation Of Gilerences between grover
and spinner, and methods Of increas-
ing the value OF the product Of the
grower. He said that the planter, if
he wants to sell direct to the spin
ner, must in some way do the work
of the middleman and have the same
financial responsibility; he must
grade, carry and finance the cotton
as the merchant does now. He added
that gin-compressing would effect an
enormous saving in transportation
and insurance, and enable the over
burdened railroads to move more ex-
peditiously the ever-increasing crop.
He made plea for a uniform bill of
lading and expressed himself in SYM
pathy with the report recently issued
by a committee Of the New York cot
ton exchange on the certifeation OF
cotton and improved classification az
to grade and staple. Mr.. Bacoll re-
quested earnest co iaednstnroi arctcss
quested earnest consideration Of the
question Of trading in futures and
speculation resulting therefrom. He
concluded by urging the formation of
a permanent international organiza