The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-23
CANNOT FORC|bLY
 LIMIT ACREAGE
Southern Congressmen and Others More Optimistic
 About Situation

Washington. September 22.-(Speciai) Despite frequent and widespread sug- gestions for federal or state legislation to compel reduction of the cotton acreage next year. the plan does not appear to have found great favor in Washington among either statesmen or laymen from the south or other sections. First, it is argued. this end hardly could be accom- hshed by constitutional legislation; sec ond the planting season Is months away and much may happen in the meanwhne; third. reduction of acreage might he ac- complished by general agreement as bind Ing. in honor as by laws.
 Let us first meet the difficulties or th. immediate present. is the major senti- mcnt of tho cotton men, "and then ws may see more clearly how to take care of the future"
 A very fair sample of the prevailing feeling was expressed today by c. I.om- bardi of Texas, retired cotton mer- chant. who has just returned from q t,ip to Europe. Mr Lombardl says the Eng fish cotton mills now have only a small supply of raw cotton and that 1t ia q question of only few weeks when they must enter the market for the staple. Also, he believes that the war will im- poverish Europe and that thousands or persons who hitherto have worn expen- sive clothing will have to buy cotton. and thus will be created new and heavier demand for such goods.
 Tt is premature" said Mir. Lombardi. ta teI. of the next crop. The planting season Ia months away and the war may be ended by that time, if only through sheer ex haustion of the combatants. Morepvsr. the use of cotton goods throughout tb. world has not stopped; there has ocen only partial paralysis of transportat,on ana exchange methods, and these soon Will be readiusted, war or no war.
 Nations of the world that are ncutra, ana al peace embody far more consumers thah those which are at war and un,h,, 'o pus cotton the ratio is. perhaps. moro than loo to ], The only nations not oror 10 the commerce of the world are. vir- tuaiiy, Germany and Austria, and inc wants of even those two countries rn,st be supplied in some way or other. Tn, very poverty which may result from the war will increase the customers for colt, goods.
 Already the cotton manufacturers of England are getting into full operation. their stocks being low, and suilaY oandk. tions may be looked for soon M Ff6hce and other countries. The demand and sup- ply of such a universal commodity Al cot- ton the world over cannot and will not be stopped permanently by reason of th, present disturbance
 Under these circumstances it seema to me, 1t would be unwise to enact radi- cal legislation in an attemr '-.,. the production of cotton. espe, ii . Legislation is likely 10 pro, ble. Even if enforceable. 1t
 precedent to plague us
 the production of cotton car
 by legislation. why not
 wheat, corn. coal, cattle or manufa cturcd products? The situation is sure to brighten. and the plans of the treasury for financing the present crop and Inc popularity of the 'buy-a bale movemept should tide us over till better days dawn q,
 nile the situation of the southern edt- ton men still is considered very seriu.s. the near-panic that for time had soma southern statesmen teeterIng from foot to root appears to have abated some what, and pessimsm has given way ta optimism in all circles