The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-18
Pledge Themselves to Re-
fuse Financial Aid To All
Who Refuse to Curtail
Production
FULLY TWO HUNDRED
LEADING BANKERS
ATTEND MEETING
Resolution on Cotton Acreage Fea-
lures Busy Day at Montgomery
Session-Wade Cotton Plan
lndorsed to Care For
Surplus Crop

MONTGOMERY. November 15--t specially
RESOLUTIONS pIedging themselves NOT
tn "rendcr financial aid or encourage
mcnt to anyone directly or Indirectly
Interested I'm the raising of cotton for
the year 1915 unless such person viii
enter into nm agreement TO curtan the
production and reduce the acreage tu
cotton at least one-hnIf OF what II was
for the year 1914. and further pIede-
ing their hearty support to all efforts
made towards crop diversifIcation were
adopted, with but one dissenting vote,
nj the convention OF Alabama bankers
here today.
Fully 200 leading bankers from every
county in the state were in attendance
upon the convention. which was called
by Superintendent of Banks Alex u.
Walker for the purpose of considering
measures for the relief of the farmers
of the state. The sessions of the con-
vention We're held in the house of rep
resentatives.
Michael Cody, president of the Elk.
change National bank OF Monteo omery.
war elected chairman OF the conven-
ton, and McLane Tiiton of Pen City
was chosen as secretary
Free Discussion
The bankers engaged In free discus-
SONS during the day on the financial
situation in the state. and a number
Of important addresses were delivered.
Superintendent Walker called the meet.
ing to order and made the opening
address, stating the purpose of tho
maeting ana outlining his plan of re-
lief. other speakers during the day
were Frank s. Moody of Tuscalooss,
Richard Nj. Hobbie of Montgomery and
james Keith of Admission.
The resolutions pledging the MEM
bers not to render financial aid for the
purpose of planting cotton We're re-
ported to the convention by a commit
tee composed of James Keith of An
rlston. Col Thomas o. Smith of Bir-
mlngham, II. 7. Benton OF Scale and
Louis b. Farley of Montgomery.
The adoption of this resolution was
the principal feature of the day. In
addition to the provision for tho re-
duction of cotton acreage In Alabama,
II called upon other states of the south
tn adopt similar methods.
The convention also adopted reso-
ran. which will make available $780,
100000 for handling the surplus cot
ton crop OF the south.
"In our opinion, II Will greatly bene-
fit the present situation and removo
the menace now existing on account OF
the estimated surplus cotton crop fs-
1914" said this resolution.
County Organizations
Machinery for putting the bankers reso-
luton into effect were provided In an
other resolut'o on recommending that the
chairman of the agricultural committees
OF the Alabama Bankers association ap-
point a chairman for each county. with
authority toyorganize the bankers. BUSH
ness men and farmers, for the purpose
of securing "A reduction of cotton acreage
In their respective localities
The county chairmen are further calico
upon to make systematic efforts to bring
about dversificaton of cotton crops,
the establishment of bureaus I'm each coun-
ty, and to cooperate in other ways In
bringing about the desired results.
Following Is the resolution adopted by
the conventions:
"Whereas, The banks OF the state are
vitality concerned In the welfare OF her
agricultural interests, and.
''Whereas. They earnestly desr to ad-
vance the progress and growth of tho
state along the lines OF agricultural pur-
suits, and stand ready to ass'st and en-
courage the farmers of the state In every
way consistent with sound business meth
ods. and
"Wheroas, BY reason of the war in
Europe and the invasion of the boil
weevil. conditions have arisen that render
the usual production OF cotton n hazard-
Gus and perhaps ruinous undertaking, ana
whereas. II Is essential that the cot
ton acreage of the south be greatly cur
tailed for the year 1915 to meet these
unusual conditions. and
Whereas We believe that such action
duty to use whatever influence we can
command to bring about "a decided reduc-
ton In cotton acreage in Alabama. for
the year 1915, and so far as possible soc
to II that the production of cotton In
the entire south is greatly curta led. and
also that crops are diversified and food
products and live stock raised. and
Whereas, We hope that the banks OF
all the other cotton producing stats,
will follow our example and agree to aid
us in this movement. and
''Whereas we believe that such action
ON the part OF the other cotton grow
ing states win not only effect the
price OF the present crop to a marked
extent. but will remove the menace
produced by the shadow OF another
bumper crop for the year 1915:
'.Now, therefore. be II resolved by the
banks of Alabama. In convention aS-
scmbled at Montgomery. Ala. on thD
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