The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-15
The Cotton GroWers WiH
 Confer With The Bankers

Association, and other commercial in- terests to meet in Birmingham today to talk 1t over. In response President W. P. G. Harding of the State Bank CTS Association, has called for repre- seutatives of the banks to meet the ag- ricultural representatives. and this will be done.
 Throughout the State formal and in- formal meetings have been held between local representatives of each interest in each locality and the matter tenta- lively discussed. Yesterday afternoon in Montgonery representatives of the several banks, members of the clear ing house association. met informally and discussed the matter with State Commissioner or Agriculture Wilkinson and informally expressed desire 10 the farmers in their time Of need, which. as one of the bankers said the banks are always ready to do, provided the farmer is solvent and has sufficient security. The meeting yesterday was entirely unofficial but it Is understood that representatives of the local hanks will be present at the Birmingham meeting. working for the financial aid from the banks with all his heart and soul, and it seems. practically alone, TOT some tn ere are who do not believe the farmers will get the aid they seek. ano' practically having cold feet, nave lodged the issue. fearing to be ident'- fled with a cause that may be lost. ana have left MT. wilkerson and his farm i are to sink or swim. as the case may be. Charles L. Gay, President of the Farmers Union of Montgomery County, has. of course, stood by MT. wilkinson, as 1t might be saio, burning his bridges behind him ana on the presentation of the case oy these two men today in Birmingham practically hangs the cause.
 More interests are involved In the outcome of the meeting than any ques- tion that has beset the South for many a year, every class of work will Soe directly effected; If the farmers are obliged to sell, they will practically be left financially hors de combat ana when the farmers have no money to spend, every commercial interest VII throws the commercial interests into the ranks of the farmers and naturally their aid will be heartily lent the farmers. The banks. under the circum- stances, have practically nothing to lose. their money being insured oy good security. and. on the other hand, with little money in circulation, they will not do much business.
 The work Today.
 It is greatly regretted by the agri- cultural interests that W. H. Seymour, Director of the Alabama Bureau of Cotton Statistics, will not be present at the meeting. imperative business keeping him away. A. c. Forbes. Pres ident of the Alabama Commercial and Industrial Association, will also be among those absent owing tp sic<- mess. MT Forbes has asked T. II. Motion of Birmingham, First Vice President of the Commercial and In-s dustrfaI Association, to take his place. Mir. Forbes in a recent street car ae- cident, had both arms broken. MT. Forbeo sent the following telegram to President Harding of the Bankers Association yesterday:
 "W. P. G. Harding. Birmingham, Ala:
 Temporary physical disability pre- vents me from being present at Tues days conference. Only this could keep me from attendance as recognize the important relations existing between the whole commercial interests of the State and the cotton powers. Their prosperity Is unusually dependant. Have requested MT. Motion to repre- sent the State organization of commer- cial clubs. A. c. Forbes,
 "President."
 The whole situation hinges On MT. Wilkinson and the interests he repre- sents and allied interests, making a strong enough plea to induce the banks to lend their money twice on a single security, and 1t is believed this will be done because the security is sound, and holding the cotton will place the price of cotton where 1t is said 1t should be.