The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-11-19
A 10. Cent MINIMUM
Set By Convention of Southern
Cotton Growers
might RIDING" is CONDEMNED
Governor Patterson, of Tennessee,
Welcomes Delegates to Memphis
Officers of Conference Chosen.

Memphis, Tenn, Special.-The
Southern Cotton Conference was call
ed here last week. Gov. M. r. Pat
terson welcomed the delegates. The
responses were made By Charles S.
Gay, of Montgomery, and Harvie
Jordan, of Atlanta, president of the
Southern Cotton Growers Associa-
ton. Governor Noel, of Mississippi,
also spoke. Harvie Jordan was made
permanent chairman, and George
Hoppe, of Memphis, and w. II. Gil
bert, of Chiclet, Ark, were chosen
secretaries.
An address by Bishop Thomas F.
Gainor, of the Episcopal Diocese of
Tennessee, on "The Keynote Of the
Conference" concluded the formal
addresses of the opening session.
Mr.. Jordan, in his remarks as
chairman, said it was fitting that the
conference should be assembled In
this, the largest interior cotton mar
ket In the world.
"We have assembled he con-
tinueds "to safeguard and protect
the great staple crop of the South
from the artificial and depressing in-
t1uences of federated interests which
operate to the detriment of every
business interest in this section of
America. We face a serious con-
dition, and whether we will rise
equal to the emergency and protect
our interests as men of brain and
business sagacity, OF indifferently ae-
cept the situation and parade before
the world our voluntary weakness, is
the issue which presents itself to this
convention.
Mr.. Jordan said raw cotton is the
only great staple commodity in the
word today which is selling below
the cost of production, potwithstand-
ing the fact that it represents one of
the worlds greatest necessities.
THAT this great staple should ever
sell at price to the cotton growers
of less than 10 cents a pound,'' Mr..
Jordan continued, els a reflection
upon the manhood and intelligence of
the Southern people, IF the cotton
growers, bankers, merchants and
allied business interests of the South
will determine that the price Of spot
cotton must and shall go back to 10
cents before November passes, that
price will be protected the financial
| future of the South will be saved,
and not a spindle in the world will
be injured"
Mr.. Jordan strongly condemned
"night riding" and urged that the
convention give its attention to the
boil weevil menace He also recon-
mended the formation of a, chain of
warehouses wherefrom receipts could
be issued which would be acceptable
as collateral for short-time loans by
the leading financial institutions in
this country and In Europe.
Ten Cents as Minimum.
| Memphis, Tenn, Special.-Denun-
citation of "night-riding, and a fiery
defense Of the "night-riders" threw
the convention of the Southern Co..
ton Growers and Ginners' Associa-
ton into disorder and nearly termi-
mated the session before the program
had fairly begun. While excited del
/ egates hurled charges and counter
charges, I. U. Sisson, of Mississippi,
moved that the convention adjourn
sine die.
President Jordan finally brought a
semblance of quiet and made plea
for order.
| The general committee on resolu-
tons presented their report, which
was unanimously adopted, recon-
mending that so far as possible in
each Individual case, none Of the crop
of 1908, still in the ownership Of the
producer, be sold below 10 cents per
pound for short staple cotton, and
urging growers to hold the crop so
as to prevent selling in excess of one
tenth per month Of the remaining
crop Of 1908. The cotton growers
are urged to~apply to the local banks
for loans secured by warehouse re-
ceipts representing cotton to be held
for the purpose of being marketed
only when demanded for actual con-
sumption.
|