Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-09-15
BUMPER COTTON CLAIM
IS BRANDED BY BARRETT
Charges That Conspiracy Ex.
lists to Hammer Cotton
Prices Down

MONTGOMERY. Ala. Sept. 13-Presi-
dent Charles s. Barrett. OF the Farm
crs' union. in addressing the Southern
Cotton Growers conference today, de-
ciared that all reports OF bumper cot
ton crop are absolutely baseless. He
likewise denounced as false any state
.rfnent 10 the effect that the Farmers
union Is combine TO hold up civiliza-
ton. and before he concluded he charged
the existence OF conspiracy TO hammer
down the price OF cotton
After a few Introductory remarks,
Mr.. Barrett said in part:
II state uneQuivocaiiy that reports,
government or otherwise, foreshadowtng
a large cotton crop this year, are abso-
lutely unfounded In fact can speak
with authority. for the machinery en-
ployed by the Farmers union has ascer-
tanned that cotton conditions. virtually
IN every state. are different The crop
viii not come up 10 expectations IN
volume. The man who il looking for a
bumper yield Is deceiving himself or has
been deceived
IF I correctly interpret the purpose
OF this meeting, II is 10 stand between
the farmers Of the southern states ana
the loss OF several million dollars,
through unwise marketing OF cotton The
Farmers union has just concluded its
annual convention at Shawnee. Oklahoma
and I am confident that there the repre-
sentatives Of more than two million
farmers formed plans that VIII bring 20
nought any conspiracy that may exist
40 secure for less than its real worth
the staple that is sim the south's main
dependence" He invited the co-opefa-
ffon OF every man In a movement TO
bring for cotton what IL Is worth
Mr.. Barrett then entered into an ex-
planation Of the mission OF the Farm
ers' union. He denied emphatically that
the organization exists for the purpose
OF working havoc in the general business
world, or OF subverting the laws or sup
ply and demand or OF gaining an unjust
advantage OF anyone
I'VE are not the enemies OF the small
country merchant Of the country or city
banker, or OF the international cotton
factor" he asserted. unless that factor
conspires unjustly to rob us Of the prod
net OF our toll
when any one tells you that we are
In a combine to hold up civilization =
he declared further along. use my au-
thority for denouncing that person as
either a wilful liar or a man or abso-
lutte ignorance. The least significant
business that Is not wen organized stands
not the slightest show OF surviving. But
20 charge the farmer even Indirectly with
q desire to hold a club over the needs
OF civilization is to perpetuate a libel
on the fairest. squarest. most just class
Of men on Gods green -footstool.
On the other hand. I have been in
formed on excellent authority that there
exists at present a conspiracy. almost
world eide TO bear the price OF the cot
ton crop. i am not afraid that such a
plot will succeed. but II II should. the
southern farmers. and. OF course. the
southern business man. would be poorer
BY many millions Of dollars.
Il put il up 70 the farmer calmly
and deliberasely-do you want TO abso-
luteIy give away several dollars a
haleg
Cooperation. rigid. faithful, unswerv-
Ing cooperation. viii Danish the last
chance OF that possibility. The southern
farmer has his fate in his own hands.
He can get exactly what his crop is
worth. We should forever abandon the
folly OF disposing OF our cotton in a
one-sided deal-of letting the buyer name
his price. and tamely accepting IT, We
deserve nothing better OF fate IL We do
not stand up for our rights, II we do not
realize that the staple is worth a GER
tain price to the world. and that the
world viii pay that price II It sees we
are determined 20 get Il"