The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-09-15
COTTON GROWERS IN CONVENTION
E. d. Smith, OF South Carolina, Makes
Rousing SpeecIl-Taiks Of Souths
Great Monopoly Crcp.

Montgomery, Ala, Sept. l2.-One
thousand men from every cotton grow
ing State in America met today in
Montgomery and conferred to devise
ways and means to rebut the figures
of the fedora, cotton report and 70 sc,
cure better price for cotton. There
were present congressman, United
States senators, the commissioners 81
agriculture or their representatives
from every Southern State, tSgethe!
with hundreds of farmers, b4n&ers
business and professional men whose
homes are scattered throughout the
South.
While nothing further than organ
ization was effected officially, tbs
meeting of the cotton growers proved
their earnestness by the appointment
Of four committees to be known as The
committee on resolutions, marketing
and financing the cotton crop, national
LEGISLATION and statistics, estimates
and conditions of the cotton crop.
These committees were appointed ear
~ in the day and made to consist OF
the commissioners of agriculture OF
each State, three delegates from each
State and President C. S. Barrett, OF
the Farmers Educational and Coop
erative Union.
E. d. Smith Wakes Warm. .
One of the principal speakers of the
day was Senator E. D. Smith, of South
Carolina, who, in scathing terms de-
nounced the so-called gambler Of Wall
street, Liverpool, New Orleans and
foreign markets, and cried that the
Southern farmer must declare his fin
ancial independence of these people.
He said the farmer should demand a
fair, profit on his cotton, and ventured
the assertion that if the New England
farmer had such a monopoly crop as
the cotton crop he would demand and
receive 80 cents a pound for it.
Senator Smith also made an attack
upon the accuracy Of the government
report; and said that the Southern
farmer had lost enough money be-
cause of it to establish an insurance
department; or to insure proper fig
ures. He declared, too, that Attorney
General Wickersham wanted to break
a. aso-called monopoly to boost the price
OF cotton but crushed no illegal COM
bination to force prices down.
viii Introduce Bill.
Whenueongress meets again in De-
cember, Senator Smith said, he is go
ing to introduce bill to require the
secretary Of agriculture to show in his
monthly cotton census, not only the
amount of cottom in the field, but the
number of bales in warehouses and
who owned these bales. Throughout
his speech, Senator Smith was heartily
cheered, and it was he who spoke IN
til faces in the auditorium could net
be distinguished.
Watson Permanent Chairman.
The convention was called together
at noon. Capt. Reuben F. Kolb, conf
missioner of agriculture for Alabama,
was made temporary chairman. He
presided until Commissioner Of Agri-
culture E. ]. Watson. Of South Caro-
Ina, was made permanent chairman.
The Rev. C.. A. Stakely; of this city,
opened the convention with a prayer.
Addresses of welcome were made by
Capt. Kolb. Lieutenant Governor Zeed,
Mr.. R. B. Evins, representing Cover
nor O'Neal; President Gunter. o. the
city commission, and Presiden; Kohn,
OF the Montgomery Commercial club,
IN behalf Of Alabama auG the city OF
Montgomery. These addresses were
responded to by State Senator ]. A.
Bush, of Georgia.
For Oscar W. Underwood.
: The convention will be brought to
a close Wednesday evening with a
demonstration in honor Of the Hon
Oscar W. Underwood, leader of the
national house of representatives, who
will reach this. city with party OF
good roads advocates from Birming-
ham.
It is thought that Senator John
Sharp Williams, of Mississippi, will
also be in the city by that time.
FkRNERS CONGRESS FINES
THE PRICE OF COTTON