The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-08
A NEW USE FOR COTTON
BY JOSEPH BEIFELD
resident Hotel sherman, Chicago

Save as a geographical division, there
is no north or south in this country. Sec
tionalsm has been wiped out. This never
was more clearly brought home to us than
1t has been in the past few months, or
since the European war involved the
mightiest nations ofuEurope in the blood
lest conflict the world ever has witnessed.
The old north and the old south are
gone forever. While each geographical
section is engaged in activities of it's own,
the results of such activities are vital to
every division.
The principle "one for all and all for
all the states.
How strongly was the fact that old
barriers are broken down brought to our
understanding with the opening of the Eu-
ropean conflict. Immediately on the be-
ginning of hostilities there arose the stag
gering cotton problem. When this staple
of the south-its chief source of revenue
was affected, when the market for the
great bulk of it was closed, it was not
the south alone which was injured. The
great north, from Portland, Me-, to Port
land. Ore, felt it almost as much as did
the people of vicksburg, Miss
Paralyzed by the closing of the markets
In Europe, the cotton industry's affliction
reached out and devitalized the activities
In finance and commerce in the north.
New York and Chicago, the great finan-
jured. The balance of trade swung
against us within a few days.
There is no doubt. in the thinking mind,
that the cotton situation, created by the
war, is one of the chief causes of the
present depressed business condition.
So thoroughly was the public convinced
of this fact that many movements for the
relief of the cotton situation We're begun.
There was the BUY a Bale of Cotton
plan, which, at best, could have only a
comparatively small effect. There were
various schemes for having people use
cotton. And then came the plan for a
cotton loan pool of $135, 100000, supported
and aided by the federal reserve board.
and now just being placed in operation
The war may last for years. No one
can tell when it will end; but even when
1t Is terminated 1t will be many months,
and perhaps years, before the industrial
conditions of Europe assume normal shape
again.
The problem of finding new uses for
American cotton, and of putting these
uses into effect is one which the Amer
lean people must solve, If we would have
substantial prosperity in this country.
Aboue IS months ago, when I was buy
ing furnishings and equipment for. the
Fort Dearborn hotel, my attention was
brought to something I never had seer
nor heard of before-cotton napkins and
tablecloths of high quality and usuable
in an up-to-date hotel and restaurant
These goods were made in Austria.
After considering the matter, l placed
my order for the entire equipment OF
table napery for this hotel. The cost was
about IS per cent. or about one-third
the cost of linen napery. My saving or
the first purchase was very nearly $4,000
/. had forgotten all about my purchase
until my return from Europe. where ]
passed last summer. AS soon as reached
hcme, found the country greatly agi.
Ia TED over the cotton situation. On every
side I heard the cry. The cotton cror
must be financed! New uses must be
found for cotton"'
In flash there came to me the thought