The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-10-31
cotton could be restored to its normal

cotton could be restored to its normal
value.
He called attention to the fact that
Louisiana had adopted constitutional
amendment authorizing the erection of
cotton warehouses, with a commission
in charge who shall issue receipts
which have the backing of the state.
He said these receipts would be bank
able in this state. thus relieving the
poorer farmers of the necessity of
marketing their cotton at such ridicu-
lousy low prices as now obtain.
AS a result of the ravages of the
boil weevil the cotton production in
Louisiana had been reduced from one
and a quarter million bales to approx
| imately a quarter million bales. This,
he said, had been a blessing in dis
gllise as it served to teach the farmers
of the state that they can produce
| other crops and today cotton in Louis
| lana Is only surplus money crop as
| here farmers have learned the valu-
able lesson that they must raise their
| food supplies.
He favored the adoption Of a per-
manent plan for the marketing of cot
| ton which will give to the cotton
| farmer a voice in fixing the price of
| the staple. Under present conditions
the cotton producer is forced to ac-
| cept a price fixed by the buyer and
| Spectator, whereas he is compelled to
pay the sellers price for any articles
which he buys.
Gov. Colquitt spoke briefly of the
purpose in calling the congress. He
| said while the federal government for
years had been collecting and publish
| ing statistics, it had done nothing to
| give the farmers information as to the
| consumption Of cotton.
He expressed the belief that the de-
4
crop of 12,S00,000 bales this season
| is excessive. Notwithstanding this,
he said he had secured statistics to
show that the worlds demand for cot
| ton this season would approximate
| 81 ,00O, 900 bales, against a worlds sup
ply of approximately 100000 bales.
These figures, he said. had been Sc
| cured through foreign consuls and
| other reliable sources and, he added,
there is no reason why every remain
ing bale OF the present cotton crop
should not sell for at least IA cents a
pound"
Governor Colquitt then introduced
Mr.. Clarence Ousley, editor of the Fort
Worth Record.
ORGANIZATION PERFECTED.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Ousley's
address. permanent organization was
effected by the election of Governor
Colquitt as chairman and M. B. Treze-
want of New Orleans, as secretary.
Governor O'Neal of Alabama was the
next speaker. He said he could not
understand on what system of econo-
mics the southern planters received
less money for a crop larger by mil
lion bales than some preceding crop.
He said a demand should be made
upon congress to supply the public
with reliable information as to the
consumption of cotton and the needs
of the mills throughout the world.
Governor O'Neal said that even con-
ceding that the present cotton crop
will total 13,S00,000 bales, no statistics
had been published to show that the
farmer has produced more cotton than
the worlds demands.
w. p. G. Harding, president of the
First National Bank of Birmingham,
Ala, was next introduced. His bank
takes care Of Is per cent of the Ala
bama cotton crop. The great need in
the cotton world today, he said, is the
need of a proper distribution of the
cotton crop. 1t requires almost twelve
months to grow this crop. he said, yet
1t is marketed-the bulk of tin
ninety days. This is different from the
marketing conditions that apply to
any other commodity or industry and
must be remedied. He endorsed the