Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-12-18
CAMPAIGN IN LARGE CITIES
Thousands Of Bales Of Cotton Re-
moved From Open Market BY vart.
ous Clubs and Organizations.

ous Clubs and Organizations.
The cotton growing states Of the
South are threatened with destruction
as the result of the failure Of the cot
ton market" was the'message that was
carried to all Of the large cities
throughout the nation. The cry was
not heard In vain, for soon the slogan,
"buy-a-bale of cotton was adopted
and campaigns were launched in q
number Of the cities by chambers OF
commerce. rotary clubs, business mems
leagues and other organizations, with
the result that thousands Of bales Of
the staple were removed from the
open market and q standard price
OF ten cents a pound was maintained.
In fact 1t was the assistance given
by the public spirited people in other
sections Of the country that was OF
the greatest value. When the bottom
fell out of the cotton market, there
was practically no money in circula-
ton In the South. When checks be-
gan arriving from the states Of the
East. the North and the West it put
new money in circulation and gave
the people something tangible to trade
with. Before this money was placed
in circulation, the farmer paid his
debts with cotton. This left the coun-
try merchant with plenty Of security.
but no money with which to pay his
accounts.
Notables among the large cities
who went extensively into the buying
Of the South's cotton were Chicago.
Cincinnati, Boston, New York, Phila-
delphia. Washington, st. Louis. Pitts
burgh. Baltimore and Detroit. This IL
not a complete list of all of the cities
which took part in the "buy-a-bale Of
cotton" movement. nor does 1t include
any Of the southern cities.
Chicago has placed herself in the
front rank with the large cities who
Joined the movement. A recent an
nouncement from that city states that
the business men have purchased 49,
900 bales Of cotton, which at an aver
age of $50 q bale, represents an in
vestment of $4,000. Although COM
plete reports have not been received
from other large cities In other sec.
lions of the country, 1t IL believed
Chicago will be very close to first
place in the sale of the largest num-
Der of bales.
A great deal of good was accom-
plished by the citizens Of New York
City in helping the South during these
trying times. On the first day Of the
campaign in that city $500 bales were
retired from the market, at the stan
dard price of ten cents q pound. In
Guiding the cotton that was actually
bought for cash and the agreement
Of New York firms to accept cotton
for payment on accounts. or to in
vest q portion Of their sales in the
South in cotton, 1t 10 estimated that
about 10000 bales were disposed Of.
Information a. to the exact number
Of bales sold for cash IL unobtainable.
AmOu8 tu0 OI6ouAz8tAOuD IuaI W0xO
the most prominent In the selling Of
bales Of cotton were the Business
Mems league and the southern 90
ciety. The theatrical people also
were active. and many Of the leading
artists purchased their bales and
placed them in front Of the theaters
In New York. It was In front Of the
theaters that many New Workers got
their first glimpse Of cotton other than
In the finished cloth.
In Boston the state ofhcials and ex-
state officials and city ofncials CO.
operated with the business men In
rendering aid to the South BY selling
bales Of cotton. One of the first cities
to take up the ''buy-a-bale" movement
vas Cincinnati. This IL perhaps be-
cause 1t IL more closely relsted to the
South than other cities in more distant
states. Here the chamber Of commerce
appointed q soliciting committee Of sew
eral hundred prominent business men
who canvassed the commercial dis
trict Of the city thoroughly. Thou
sands Of bales were disposed Of BY
A.