The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-06
Urges Bankers to Maintain Lenient Attitude Toward
 Their Cotton Growers
MILL MEN ALSO CAN
 BE OF ASSISTANCE
Senator Says Cooperation of All h. terests Now Will Rebound to Benefit of Entire State
 in Future

Washington. october 5.--(Special.) )--Sen- ator Frank s. White of Alabama, who has taken prominent part in all the conferences held here to devise some plan of relieving the situation in the south, is deeply interested in the subject. He thinks that more of his constituents are interested in the production and sale of cotton than in any other product; that in fact all the people in Alabama are either directly or indirectly interested in that staple.
 When asked If he had any suggestions to offer with reference to cotton condi- tions, Senator White said:
 q advised the farmers, through the press, to hold their cotton, as l thought it would enable them to get better prices. 1 think that advice was good, and repeat 1t now. have no doubt that those who can will follow the course suggested. There are many however, who cannot hold unless aided by the bankers and merchants of the state as the farmers are largely indebted to them.
 'I am now going to offer some sugges-
 
 hope they will accept in the spirit in which they are proffered. I appeal to them, especially to bankers, to be lenient toward their farmer customers, and not press collections against them. They should adopt this course in their own n- terest. If they press collections it will force the cotton of their patrons on the market in such quantities as will destroy the price.
 This destruction will hit them about as hard as it hits the farmer as they are practically the owners of the cotton, on account of advances heretofore made to produce it. This cotton is their most available and in many cases their only security. Why should they throw it away or destroy it? All cotton that is sold under 10 cents per pound aggravates rather than relieves the situation If farmers are forced to sell it at less than 10 cents they are ruined and their ruin will seriously cripple, if not ruin, the banks.
 Even if in some instances the bank CTS could collect the face of the debts due them by forcing cotton on the market at less than 10 cents 1t would be shortsighted, as it would strip the farmer of what he has made great sacri- fees to produce It would dishearten him and render him undesirable as a future customer.
 Selfish Policies Never Succeed
 Therefore, taking a purely selfish view of this matter, bankers and merchants should help sustain their customers and not destroy them Selfish policies never succeed in the end, all are alike interested in the prosperity of the community. Bus mess men share the fate of the commun- ity. whatever it is. A prosperous com munity makes prosperous business, while want of prosperity in the community stagnates business.
 These suggestions apply to others as well as bankers and merchants, they reach out and touch all business and pro- fessional interests All are alike inter- ested in helping the farmer as his pros perity is the basis of the prosperity of us all
 Bankers have 1t within their power to relieve the situation. About all they have to do is to not press their collections and let it be known that they are not going to press them during the pending crisis. They will be called on to ad- vance but very little now, their advances. in the main, having been made. As I understand. there is no pressure upon the banks in the cotton growing section. Eastern banks are willing to extend their pa per, and in fact will be made to ex-
 
 the Treasury of the United States. It is in this way that the government can furnish more substantial aid than in any other by using it's deposits to make the banks in the east treat their customers in other sections literally.
 'The state government will no doubt see to it that state banks are liberal in the treatment of their customers. Both the national and state governments have means of ascertaining exactly what the condition of the banks are. It can be req ally ascertained whether the banks are in financial condition to aid their GUS toners in the present circumstances, and the power of both governments will, if necessary, be brought to bear to ascertain that fact.
 q am convinced that nearly all the bankers in Alabama have been, and will be, liberal in the treatment of their cus- toner's but understand there are some who ara pressing their collections to such an extent that 1t has attracted the at tention, both of the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States and the governor of the state of Alabama That both the governor and Secretary of the Treasury will bring to bear whatever authority Is necessary to prevent this kind of conduct, and relieve the situa- tion, l feel assured.
 Bankers, merchants and professional men are dependent for success on having around them friendly and cooperative atmosphere. They cannot antagonize un- necessarily the people that surround them.
 Must Have Cooperation
 Bankers and merchants by segregated action cannot fully cope with the situa- ion; they must bring their organiza tions to bear on it; they must have complete cooperation among themselves. The bankers organizations of the state. as well as the merchants, if they have a state organization, should meet and for nuate a plan that would be fair and reasonable, and by which the burden would be properly and effectively distrib- uted Even step further than this should be taken-the bankers and mer- chants of the entire south should com bine and cooperate. In this way they could bring the combined force of the or gaDzation to bear. No one banker, or merchant, or even considerable numbers of them, could combat or withstand this concentrated effort.
 What is done must be done speedily every day counts. The movement above suggested, if started. would at once steady the cotton market, give confidence to farmers as well tffe public generally, and would excite the activities of buy CTS.
 To Mill and Fertilizer Men
 Now word to the cotton mills, oil mills and fertilizer factories of the state.