The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-03
'BLACKMON OPPOSES
 PU[S0RY ACTION
Says It's Absurd That Farm. CT Should be Compelled
 to Reduce Acreage

Washington October 2.-(Special. Strong opposition to compulsory restric- tion of the cotton acreage for 1sl5 or even an attempt at such legislation, was expressed today by Representative Black mon, who believes that the producer: are sufficiently intelligent to realize that it is unwise not to cut down materially the acreage next year. Also, he ayers that tax on cotton would be unconsti- tutional
 Mir. Blackmon's attitude is in direct con trast with the position assumed by Sen ator John Sharp Williams, who recently urged legislation for restriction of the acreage. and even went so far as to advocate emitting cotton entirely from the list of southern crops in 1915. In his statement today MT. Blackmon said:
 To my mind it is perfectly absurd even to consider the passage of a law to force the planter to reduce his acreage and it is also equally absurd to .alk about a federal law to levy a tax on cotton produced in either 1915. 1916. or, indeed, any other year.
 have been endeavoring ever since 1 came to Congress to aid in getting back money which the cotton producer paid out under the cotton tax levied and collected immediately following the civil war We have been contending all along that this tax was unconstitutional. I believe that the acts referred to- levying a tax on cotton, were unconstitutional, and I be- lieve any law we might pass on this Si.bipCt wn11lA ho ef ftttio I,,,t whether it is unconstitutional or not, l would no more vote to levy tax on cotton, or prescribe the number of bales a planter should grow than I would vote to limit the amount of sales merchant should make each day, or the number of feet of lumber a sawmil should saw, or the number of bushels of potatoes d farmer might grow
 I believe our producers are sufficiently intelligent to realize that it is unwise, under present conditions, not to cut down materially the acreage in 1915. l believe our farmers are fully aware of this fact. and they also realize that, f the war in Europe continues, the United States vii, be called upon to contribute largely to the supply of the foodsturfs of the world. Realizing this, their intelligence will dic- tate to them the wisdom of reducing their cotton acreage and increasing their pro Guetion of foodstufs. so that they may be able to have surplus and share in the profits that will come from the feeding of the balance of the world.
 I know a great many sincere people believe that Congress should pass a law requiring the reduction of cotton acreage and should pass law to place tax on the cotton produced, but l have been in Congress long enough to zee that there IS already Il too rapid standardization of power at Washington, and some of our ardent advocates of a federal statute dealing with this question would likely change their mind when the government inspectors, sent out from Washington would be going into the fields of our farmers to ascertain the amount of acre. age they have in cotton. to ascertain the number of bales a farmer had grown, and few trials in the federal court of some of our good citizens for exercising a constitutiontal and God-giyen right, would change their mind on this subject.
 I believe the passage of my bill to re- quire by law that emergency currency funds. should be used only for holding and crop-moving purposes would be very beneficial.
 The cotton farmers have been receiv- ing great deal of advice from various sources. but what they need is money now to aid them in holding their cotton. think every member from the cotton growing states is anxious to do whatever he can to aid in the present crisis. cannot get my consent, however popular it may be, to advocate a measure that I know is Fundamentally wrong and inn possible of execution"
 MT. Blackmon declares a firm beliei that the recent cotton conference ir Washington meant well. but says thai any attempt to restrict acreage by legis- lation would be unavailing and foolish