The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-24
COMMITTEES GALL ON NGOVERNOR TOASK
 FOR COTTON RELIEF
Would Have State Executive Call Legislature Together.
 No Action Yet Taken
 on Matter

Montgomery October 23.-(Special.)- )-'If H is possible in human reason to devise any solution Of the serious financial con dition which is confronting thespeople of Alabama-the most serious economic situ- ation which has obtained in this state since the civil war-or if by any legisla- tive action the problem may be solved, you may depend upon me as governor of Alabama to call the legislature immedi- ately into extraordinary session for the purpose of bringing relief to the farmers of this state"
 This statement was made by the gov ernor of Alabama this morning to joint committee of the Alabama Good Roads association and the Alabama Farmers union, who called upon him to urge spe- cial session of the legislature for the pur- pose of submitting to the people a con- stitutional amendment to finance one half of the cotton crop under the plan submitted by Senator John H. Bankhead. The joint committee of the two asso- citations spent nearly two hours in con ference with the governor Senator Bankhead, as the principal speaker. again explained his plan, and made a personal request that the governor at once call a special session of the legislature.
 Delegates Speak
 In addition to Senator Bankhead. sev- eral other delegates to the two conven- lions spoke in favor of the resolutions. John w. O'Neil of Birmingham as the author of the resolution of the Good Roads association: w. H. seymor of Montgom- af fy,a l,oy wis mi Southern Cotton association; O. w. Ford, president of the Alabama Farmers union; Tom Long of Jasper and others made brief addresses in advocacy of a special legislative session.
 The governor assured the committee that he was giving the matter serious con- sideration, and that. while he had never been able to get his consent to Senator Bankhead's plan, he was perfectly willing to call special session if convinced that there was a remedy at hand.
 He read a letter which he had writ ten to the members of the next legislature asking their opinion on the question and another letter to the attorney general ask ing his opinion as to the legality of legis- lative action looking to cotton elimina- tion reduction in 1915. He indicated that he would be largely guided by the contents of the letters received from the states law-making body.
 The governor made 1t clear that he was perfectly willing to accept all sugges- tions relative to the cotton situation. Moreover, he said he would be glad to have all persons, particularly the members of the next legislature, talk with him on the subject, and read the letter he had written the new members
 Ask Questions
 . In this letter the governor asked sev- eral questions among which was whether or not they thought the Bankhead plan prscticable; whether or not they thought the legislature would be willing to pass a law reducing cotton acreage Moreover, he asked them to submit to him their ideas or any plans they had, as well as might wish to introduce covering the sub ject.
 Gentlemen, can say nothing more than I have already said.' the governor concluded. There is no man in Alabama more anxious to relieve the situation than l am, and you may rest assured that I shall, in my best judgment do what I think best. If think the legislature can accomplish the desired good, I shall i'm me6iately call them into session, whether or not they have a plan upon which to act. If, after mature consideration and deliberation on the plans that have al- ready been suggested, I shall believe in my heart that they are impracticabe or if I shall be convinced that the legisla- ture will fail of its purpose, then I shall consider that little good can be accomp- lshed by an extraordinary session. As soon as I have received replies from the letters have sent out I shall immediately determine upon course of action"