The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-06
Special Session Might Be Called to Erect Ware
 houses for Cotton
LEGISLATURE ONLY
 MEANS OF RELIEF
While Approving Plan, Governor Is al-Considerable On position, However, to Gov
 ernment Tax
By L. $. BErrY

Montgomery. September 6.-tSpecial ] Should Secretary McAdoos plan for mar kotine the cotton crop be adopted it is not unlikely that the legislature of Ala bama will meet in special session in the near future to pass measure looking to the erection of warehouses to take care of the states cotton supply
 The plan of the Secretary of the Treas ury has been generally indorsed in Ala bama, but it is declared that the state even though the opportunity were pre- sented. would have no immediate means of benefiting by the measure, owing to the lack of facilities. It is pointed out that there are not sufficient warehouses in Alabama to take care of more than ope-sixth of the cotton supply, hence the plan to erect state warehouses in all the counties has been one of the most ab- sorbing topics of the past week.
 The legislature of Texas recently voted favorably on a bill to erect state ware houses and there have been many rumors to the effect that other states will adopt the same plan. A number of southern states have already given approval to the warehouse plan in public meetings and conventions, and at the same time have discussed methods of deriving the most practical benefits from that reme- dial measure.
 Legislature Only Means of Relief
 In view of the provisions made by other states ito conform to the suggestion of Secretary McAdoo, it is generally be- lieved that Alabama should take simi- lar steps. Moreover. it is universally agreed that only the legislature can pro- vide the proper means of relief.
 Tn order to take care of Alabama's cot ton supply, it is declared that 1t would y.<. f<,r. ufrfx ff aaf of least one warehouse in every county to supplement those that are already in operation. Some counties would prob ably require more than one state ware house.
 The plan suggested by certain state officials provides for a bond issue by the state as the proper method of finan- cing the movement. It is believed that a warehouse in every county in Alabama would cost the state nearly $1,75o,00o, or something like $25,000 for each county. The charge of nominal fee for hous- ing cotton would. in a short time, reim- purse the state for warehouse expendi- lures.
 Governor Noncommital
 The governor, while declaring his hearty indorsement of Secretary McAdoo's plan for marketing the cotton crop, declines to commit himself on the question of call
  The governors attitude relative to a special session is hardly different from what it was two years ago and two months ago. He has always maintained that only an extraordinary occasion would justify an extraordinary session of the lawmakers, and in his opinion nothing has yet occurred of sufficient importance to warrant his taking such momentous step.
 IIoua,,ar tha syovernor has never said that public necessity should not be con strued as matter of extraordinary inn portance Should it become necessary, therefore, for the state to erect govern ment warehouses, the governor will not hesitate day to call special session. He will not say whether he thinks the ne- cessity for such a course has yet arisen. but admits that he is keeping carefui eye on the situation.
 Should it become necessary for the gov- ernor to call the legislature together for the purpose of providing the state with housing facilities for the cotton supply. he will, of course. ask legislative consid- eration of a number of other subjects of public importance. Among these might be included questions of law reform, the Jefferson county fee system, the ratifica- ton of the. seventeenth amendment to the United States constitution and many other subjects.
 Government Tax Unpopular
 But while public sentiment in the state is practically unanimous as to the merits of the plan to warehouse the cotton sup ply. there is considerable opposition to the suggestion to impose a government tax on next years crop for the purpose of curtailing the production. And should the legislature meet in special session it is practically certain that the state law makers would be asked to express their disapproval of the plan.
 . Those who oppose the plan declare it to be unconstitutional, as well as inimical to the rights and privileges of the farmer. However, there are some strong advocates of the idea in Alabama, and these leaders are endeavoring to create a sentiment in favor of the tax. It is safe to assert, though, that the plan will not be given general approval, however wise and bene- ficial might be the results to be obtained from such a course Therefore, the sug- gestion to impose a government tax on cotton in order to keep down its produc- tion. and consequently to make 1t sell for something like It's real value. while very plausible and practical in theory, will hardly find general acceptance with the rank and file of the farming element. For, in the estimation of the farmer. cot