The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-12-06
Ardmore. Okla, Dec. 5, 1914.
Hon. Jno. F. McIIaren,
Washington. d. c.

non. JnO. r. MClIaren,
Washington, d. c.
Dear Sir:
The public press has given views,
purporting to be yours, on the subject
of reducing the cotton acreage for
1915. If you are correctly reported,
fully concur with you. and hope you
will indulge brief reference by me to
the present and future cotton prices
The cotton proposition is big one
1t is world wide in its influence, and
one of the most important factors in
the commercial and financial affairs
of this country.
Like you, am land owner, and
farmer.
From my viewpoint, excepting
yourself, statesmen and financiers
have had misconception as to the
ways and means Of relief. You know
and | know, the south is being i'm.
poverished by reason Of the great
depression in the value of its great
and wonderful product-cotton.
In early September, l had given
the cotton question earnest consid-
GRAFTON. arriving at the conclusion
that the acreage for 1915 would have
to be reduced, or poverty and slav-
cry would be the result to the south.
| then urged governors and state leg
islators to pass laws limiting the
acreage, and tax cotton in excess of
80 per cent of this years crop, such
a tax to be sufficient to restrain and
limit the acreage.
soon found this line of action,
if it could be accomplished at all,
would require too much time, and the
farmers would have to part with their
cotton grown in 1914. before action
could be taken.
My theory was, that if the cotton
consuming world, including home
and foreign spinners, could be con-
vinced that the cotton growing states
would limit by law, the acreage for
1915 money would come from hiding
for investment in cotton, and that
the purchasers would store for fu.
ture use. at fair prices, making an
market for this crop, fear
ing famine, II to Is months hence.
| then turned to congressman and
senators, urging an internal revenue
tax on cotton for 1915, in excess Of
80 per cent of the crop of 1914
others, l wrote to Senator
Hoke Smith, expressing these views.
He graciously did not answer, be-
cause | felt that his own views were
far below par. II congress could
have passed such law, 1t would
have electrically accomplished
the desired end-an immediate mar
ket at a fair price for the cotton
this year, and would have operated
to make price for the crop OF 1915,
and at the same time limit the bru
tai surplus which. instead of being
a source of wealth, would be the
cause of impoverishment of the
southern people.
If you have read between these
thoughts, what was wanted was a
market and not plans to finance
at the expense of the planter, tho
poor farmer, and store a surplus OF
five to eight million bales. If the
action of congress would have had
the effect of creating a market what
a wonderful accomplishment, what
great foresight and wisdom would
have been shown!
The so-called Wade plan is com
plicated in its workings, "wades" the
farmer deep in debt, causes him to
carry the burden after he has. dur
ing the heat. toiled to produce his
crop, and was entitled to a market.
If balm in Gilead could be found,
to produce the result. The cotton
farmer needed a market: he did not
need complicated financial contriv-
lnces If the burden OF paying for
he cotton, storing and holding for
'uture use, could have been placed
On the manufacturing consumers, then
here would have been Santa Claus in
he south on the approaching holi-
lays. where the poor cotton producer
md his children will find empty
discouragement, and want.
Selfish interests proclaim at once.
when the acreage is to be limited by
aw, that interference with liberty
md rights of the people is taking
,lace. This is srecious, frivolous,
selfish and narrow consideration of a