The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-29
Chas. Henderson Gives His
 Views on Subject
THE THOMPSON PLAN
Thinks Trouble of Long Standing and Such as Cannot Be Solved in a Few Weeks or
 Even Months

Montgomery. December 2s.-(Special0 Charles Henderson, president of the Alabama railroad commission, was in Montgomery today on one of his weekly visits, and took occasion to praise the efforts that have been put on foot dur ing the past month for the improve ment of the cotton situation in Ala bama. He points out that the railroal commission has taken the first active steps toward economy in the handling of cotton, by asking the interstate com merce commission to fix differential in rates as between compressed and uncompressed cotton. In a statement for The Age Herald, MT. Henderson said
 Much has been said recently regard ing the plans submitted, through the efforts of the governors of the south ern states, to bring relief to the cotton producer during the current period of ruinous low prices.
 While I do not believe the plan sub mitted Is feasible or advisable, and think Commissioner Kolb did the cor rect thing in declining to recommend it. do think, however, that the efforts made by the governors to evolve some solution for immediate relief deserving of commendation. They have shown a concern for conditions, and willing ness to give their thought and time to the solution of a veXing problem.
 ,1I, l1 C.. diate relief except as a makeshift, and generally these makeshifts are only crutches upon which we hobble into pit falls. The trouble is Of long standing and is such that it cannot be remedied in a few weeks.
 When the correct plan is evolved, ben efits will accrue during seasons of satis- factory prices. as well as in times of low prices. The question is purely an eco- homie one.
 "The plan, as it appears to me, that will largely solve the question is a simple one, and it will not involve the state un- necessarily, or interfere with the rights of any one. This plan is as follows:
 T. Gin compression which means re- ducing the bale to about half it's present size, and the complete covering of the bale, thereby requiring less storage space and greatly reducing the fire hazard. '2. The construction of storage houses of the most modern plan, which carries with it a convenience of handling, as l well as a further reduction in insurance.
 A nc stats to adopt and make legal ] 2 st5 dad lasa at6t if5- 'fiet will he uni form sash9u state EQa -palE cation s9te ta grant iieenses Io clsrs- s4s aea Aasa Sad seccpsaoe ssasH pi elise
 1s sen elehr $
 es ,ihe rece
 shall show the weignt ana eiasaisietitiiss the weight and classification as shown on the receipt, being guaranteed by the warehouse. the cotton can remain undis- turbed until final shipment, although the ownership may have changed 50 times. 1 The state to have examiners who shall | periodically examine alI licensed ware houses to see that the proper insurance Is | in force, to protect the cotton on hand. I The warehouses to give proper surety bond for faithful performance of their obligation. Such warehouses to be relieved | of all taxes as certain industrial plants are now relieved of such taxes
 1 Tt will be seen that this plan elimi- mates a great waste of time, labor and | expense that Is attached to our pres ent methods of handling our cotton, and | places such cotton where 1t will attract 1 idle money It is further seen that this 1 plan would assist the farmer in keeping cotton off the market as we understand l the term, by the creation of q broader market, thereby enabling holders to se- l cure more readily advances on their cotton at the lowest rate of interest.
 'rhe Farmers union has been advocat- ing plans that have good features, but have met with difficulties in an endeayor l to keep up an interest in the subject matter during periods of satisfactory prices, they have not met with the CO., operation that their efforts deserve. think it will be seen by those who have dealt in cotton that the plans I suggest will reduce to a minimum the uneer- l tainty of weights and the unsatisfactory custom of classification and the high in l surance cost that prevails in the average | interior market. With the elimination of these burdensome conditions, the buying | and holding of cotton will not be con- fined as it is at the present time largely l to those Only WHO buy lIoHn tue heceS- sities of their business.
 1 Our present system needs com l plete overhauling, and with slight as sistance from the state, a great say ing can be had annually in the course i of few years
 "The railroad commission of Alabama has taken the first active step toward economizing in the handling of cotton along the above lines, by asking the 1 interstate commerce commission to fix i a differential in the rates as between compressed and uncompressed cotton Should this petition be granted gin compressed bale of cotton would bs | handled at the same rate of freight per hundred pounds is compressed l bale at the present time.
 There are results to be obtained along these lines that in my judgment are worthy of our best efforts.
 " nT EsU ID UTTTC TIC