The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-22
Bankhead, Governor and 9 Future Members of Leg islature Have Talk on
 Cotton Situation
NO INDICATION OF SPECIAL SESSION TO
 TAKE UP QUESTION
Governor Still Takes Attitude That He Will Not Act Until Some Satisfactory Plan Is
 Offered
Ny HUGH w. ROBERTS

Montgomery, October 2l.-<(Spe- cial. )-There have been gathered in Montgomery today people represent ing every section of the state. On one satisfactorily one-they have agreed, and that subject was this:
 'srhe situation regarding cotton is very serious"
 But no one had a plan to preserve or even relieve the farmer on which any ether individual could agree
 This afternoon. for instance, in the pri- vate dining room of the Exchange hotel, there was a caucus in which the gov ernor of Alabama. Senator Bankhead and Chairman Bibb Graves of the democratic executive committee. conferred with about 25 future members of the legislature.
 There was Senator Bankhead with the Bankhead plan-a plan which provides that the state issue bonds for the pro- lection of the cotton crop in the sum of ssosooo, oCc. There was the governor, ready to call the legislature in extraordinary session as soon as a practicable plan for relief was suggested There was General Graves, ready to call the execu- tive committee in special session In order that an example might be set for exec utlve committees of other states to fol- low.
 The gun was loaded and primed. But 1t did not explode. There was need of an idea. It was not forthcoming. This lack of action of future members of the legislature. their inability to think in Il body. to agree. was taken as a strik- ing illustration of what would very prob ably result were the governor to con vene the lawmakers in special session.
 Still in 'Ststu Quo
 The situation is fin statu quo. Ii was reported this morning that the governor would call the legislature in extraordi- rary session November il. This after noon. however. the governor reiterated liis former expression--that he would not cell the legislature together until some plan, practicable in nature, had been suggested and agreed upon by a majori- ty of members of the legislature. He mentioned the absurdity of spending that srm of money which an extra session would require in the accomplishment of nothing more than the legislature of Tex ss, convened fin extra session. accom-
 
 At the caucus this afternoon. one of the members suggested that the governor convene the members of the legislature in informa. session in order that ideas from members might be obtained This course was ultimately abandoned An other member suggested that by formal resolution the governor be authorized to consider with Chairman Graves every de- tall of the situation and then take that action which appeared to him wise. Ed Johnston of Madison, taking the floor, told the other members of the caucus that. the governor was already so doing. and that any instructions from an un- organized body would be absurd. It is unnecessary to add that the resolution was not pressed. Senator Bankhead is still insistent that l Ills plan b., accepted. He holds that 1t IS wise and that 1t will result in untold | Eood. It is considered probable that 1 majority of the people of the state agree | with him. This Is due. however, it is generally agreed, to the plight of the peo- ple-a plight so serious that they feel Jnsuneu in erasping at any straw.
 Bankhead Brings Some News
 This morning. Senator Bank head. ne~rl the conclusion of his address on the coz ton situation, threw his audience into A | near panic when he declared in bold, language, that every man lp Washington in possession of a brain knew at least four weeks ago that noth- ing in the way of financial relief was to be expected from the government
 The audience was led to believe that l certain southern coneressmen who have been exceedingly busy with proposed schemes for the relief of the southern farmer. have indulged in "grandstand play, :" and have. knowing in advance the futility of their proposed schemes. kept the people of the south hoping against
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