Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-11-03
CUT OUT MIDDLENAN AND
SAVE ON s0UTH's COTTON
Such Is New Plan Urged by
Manchester Guardian and
Now Getting Recognition

Direct dealing between the cotton
FARMER Of the south and the spinner of
England, and the consequent saving OF
unnecessary charges now paid to half a
dozen middlemen, are the objects of ?
campaign of education recently begun
In England by the Manchester Guardian
and now extended to the south by a rep
resentative of that eminent cotton Jour
nal, A. l.. Hart, who is in Atlanta con-
ferring with some of the leading cotton
merchants of the south Mr.. Hart is
here in the course of a tour he is max
ing through the cototn belt to enlist the
cooperation of the first middleman ana
the farmer
". Hart states that cototn is now
sold six unnecessary times before It
reaches the spinner. The burden or
this expense is on the farmer He
would encourage the establishment of
English branches by American cotton
houses. His plan has the Endorsement
Of Harvie Jordan, OF Atlanta, former
president of the Southern Cotton assoc
citation, and of other leading cotton men
of the south.
Mr.. Hart calls it IAN almost suicidal
policy for the English spinners OF
American cotton to rest content with
present conditions. He speaks or .me
INSCRIPTIONS methods" employed by the
middlemen. 1.-THE whole art of the sue
cessful spinner" he says lis to buy
cheapIy and well.'
1t seems apparent, from the remarks
OF both Mr.. Hart and Mr.. Jordan, that
the establishment of new order of pro-
cedure in the handling of cotton has al
ready begun, and that it's successful de-
velopment is inevitable
mo organization, no agitation is nec-
essary to stop the old CUSTOM" says Mr..
Hart. II means the saving of many
millions Of dollars, says he. when the
unnecessary middlemen are cut out.
Harvie Jordan recently returned from
a visit to the spinning districts OF Eng
land and the continent He has observ-
ed the first workings of the new meth
DDS, at first hand.
THE scheme to cut out the unnecs-
sary middlemen is one which should
appeal TO the farmers merchants, bank
ers and press Of the SOUTH" says he, in
comment on Mr.. Harris statements. He
says that for many years he has advo-
Gated closed and more direct trade be-
tween the growers and spinners or
American cotton. He remarks that the
cotton convention, held in Atlanta in
1907. and attended by spinners from Eu.
rope, Endorsed that policy.
The Egyptian bale. says Mr.. Jordan,
ninimizes expense in its transportation
to the spinner, and is delivered in Man
chester at cost per bale not exceed
ing $3.50. American cotton, on the 9TH
er hand, costs $40 per bale for delivery
there.
The cost of handling and delivery Is
IA fixed charge against the producer
says he: The fight for reform upon
this important matter is vital to botn
growers and spinners. The fact that SO
powerful and influential a journal as
the Manchester Guardian has underta-
ken to aid in this reform is a matter
of deepest concern to our entire cotton
belt. Naturally intense opposition has
already been aroused among the cotton
handlers of Liverpool and this coun-
try
But, says Mr.. Jordan, in spite of the
fact that this opposition will grow more
energetic as the new methods become
more generally accepted, the old and an
tiquated ideas are already doomd The
American merchants have seen the wis
dom Of establishing branch houses on
the other side of the ocean. and the
spinners have shaken off their timidity
and are giving them full and profitable
recognition.