The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-18
VALLEY HEAD MAN SUBMITS PLAN FOR
 HANDLING COTTON
Makes Suggestion for Put ting 'sBuy-a-Bale" Move ment On a Thoroughly
 Systematic Basis
To the Editor of The Age-Herald:

To the Editor of The Age Herald: In the recent past, the farmers of the cotton section of sthe south were elated at the prospects of an abundant cotton crop, and good price. For the same req son the business men were buoyant of spirit, in anticipation of a splendid biisi- ness and good collections. We have a good cotton crop, but the good price is wanting. We are now without a mar ket for cotton. The entire southland is in dire financial distress. Why these condi- tions exist it is unnecessary for mY ,s explain, for the cause is known to every one. Tn fact. it is unnecessary that I should relate what have thus far said. except as an introduction to what is to follow, for it is all we'll known.
 To relieve the situation and secure for the farmers better price for their cot ton than he can now obtain, many plans have been suggested. To my mind the one that is most likely to relieve in good measure, is the "Buy-a-bale- of-cotton.'' This plan, however, to produce the de- sired results must be systematized and elaborated until it becomes rapid act ing machine. Men who assist in the mat ter want to be assured that the goal will [ it must be known that the plan will s,ic- ceed in eliminating, for period of time, say S.00o,0O0 bales Of cotton.
 With some hesitancy. submit the fcl- lowing plan of operation, viz: Let the board of trade or some other business or ganization in each jobbing town or city take the matter up with their own people and all of the towns, however small. within the territory, where the johbers do business. Let the jobbers furnish the name of some man or men who will give the matter attention, and secure the ob- ligation of each man that he will buy one or more bales of cotton at 10 cents. We, N. s. Davenport & Son. would take 10 bales. others here would take more or less. I would assume the task of work ing the matter up here.
 To illustrate, let Birmingham jopbers select man or men at each town or the Alabama Great Southern railroad and other railroad lines and off of railroad lines and arrange with them to do the work, that. is, in territory contributing to Birmingham. Let Gadsden, Anniston Huntsville, Decatur. Florence and othsr cities doing jobbing business in Ala. bama do likewise. also in each cotton growing state, and wvr-x the plan to d finish. Furnish each of the committees in the smaller places printed obligations to be signed by parties who would ouy a bale or more of cotton, at 10 cents. or ganize in each jobbing city subcornmit tee. Organize in each state. at some cen. tral point committee to receive reports from the subcommittee. Organize in some southern city central committees to receive reports from subcommittees As the work progresses, let this commit- tee, through daily press, give out at short intervals, the progress made. Let each committee endeavor to stimulate activity by all concerned. As soon as subscribers enough have been secured to assure the taking of enough cotton, let each sub scriber immediately purchase amount of cotton he promised to buy. Committees in jobbing towns are expected to be ac- tive in securing parties to buy cotton. When cotton Is purchased reports should be made, in the same manner pledges and published tri-weekly by final conimit- tee.
 1ne pldn SnOuiu ue WOTkSQ Oul III ~ days. If the people, as they should rec spond promptly and freely. assurance of success would in short time remove dis dressing uncertainty and give life and acc tivity to business, and perhaps save the farmer larger sum of money.
 I read in some newspaper or peric iical letter written by an American lady, who was temporarily residing in one .. the cities towns of France. She said: '.The mayor of the town received a call for the men to go to the front to defend their country and homes. He called meeting for p. m. and read the call. Many of the men left for the front on the D. m. train. This kind of patriot ism should, think, elicit the highest ad- niration." Why can't we of the south act with like promptness to help in this time of need?
 The cotton purchased up to this time should be included in reports. Very truly yours N. s. DAVENPORT. Valley Head. September 15, 1914.