The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-30
LETTERS TO EDITOR
System in Buying Cotton
Editor of The Age-Herald:

I To the Editor of The Age-Herald: 1 some will doubtless remember to have seen in The Birmingham Age Herald an l article written by myself on the present
 cotton situation. The plan then presented seemed to me to be feasible, and if worked
 out, with perhaps some changes, would bring relief.
 number have expressed approval of
 my plan and confidence in it's efficiency, If properly manipulated It seems, how
 ever to have failed to elicit action, along. 1.-the lines suggested, from the promoters of the ''buy-a-bale" proposition So far
 as can see, no plan is being systematic ally and vigorously worked that Is likely to bring immediate desired results. The urgency of the case and large interests
 involved, impel me to again appeal to all
 concerned for immediate systematic, or
 ganized action.
 That there is distress in business af-
 fairs Of the people of the south, I sup
 pose, no one will deny. The farmers in-
 debtedness to the local dealers and others.
 and the dealers obligation to the jobbers
 and manufacturers are now or will soon
 be maturing. The means at the farmers'
 command for discharging his obligations
 is by the sale of his cotton. In most
 instances, the merchants are dependent
 upon the farmers to enable them to pay
 the jobbers and manufacturers. Tn fact.
 the money to pay obligations of various
 kinds. amounting to many millions, is ex-
 pected to come from the sale of cotton.
 If cotton must go sale under present
 conditions, the price will. doubtless, be
 ,a,n rsv.
 to pay obligations. Many farmers will
 have to give up mules, corn, cattle, etc.
 The burden will be too heavy for the
 farmer to bear. If he has to carry fl
 alone, 1t will in measure crush him. It
 will retard agricultural progress for years to come. The claim that farmers unaided
 can hold his cotton. is bosh The bur- den should be more widely distributed not entirely sympathetcally, but from patriotism and self-interest, because all are interested in the welfare of the farmer.
 All doubtless realize that there is dis tress in business matters. In my opinion the "buy-a-bale" proposition is the one that would relieve the strain, if properly worked. There should be organization system enthusiasm and activity.
 will again suggest my plan enlarged. which is as follows. viz:
 l. Organize in some city a committee of strong, willing men to be known as the state committee, that should encourage the organization of state and subcom- alttees, receive reports and give out in- formation, and
 ?. Organize fin some city in each state a stat ecommittee, that should encourage and supervise subcommittees, receive and make reports, and
 3. Organize in each jobbing town In each state committee of efficient men. VI hA rh <~r~. and in each town or village in the terri tory with their city working committees whose duties should be to secure pledges from all they can to buy one or more bales of cotton at 10 cents per pound. to be held by the buyer, until there is a demand for all cotton on open market At 10 cents per pound or more, or until the European war Is ended and normal con ditions prevail; also to solicit money con tributions to pay secretaries of subcon1- mittees and central committees for sta- tlonery Let working committees report l three times week to subcommittees and | subcommittees transmit copy of these l reports to state committees and each state | committee to the central committee. who should give out q statement once week | through the daily papers to the public 1 The working committees should ascertain | the amount of cotton already purchased | and let 1t be reported. as above out | lined. Let no man that can afford to buy more, stop at one bale: some men and firms can afford to take hundreds | of bales. Let the first large city that ! organize a central committee have that | committee. Let the city in each state that first organize a state committee have that committee. Let every paper | In the country vigorously and contipu- 'usly advocate the plan and appeal daily \ Q the people all over the country to give Il ts support and buy cotton.
 l don't know in what time this plan II 'an be worked out. am sure SO days will be ample time; if it is gone into in H he right way and the people respond H IS thes should do 1t will give confidence H md matters can be carried over until the l| iesired end has been reached III
 Will we Idly set by and permit so great III 'alamities come on our people? III am glad to say that I am informed l)