Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-07-16
WORKING FOR COTTON
Hon. John L. MeLaurin Again Ad-
dresses Georaia LEGISLATURE.

Hon. John l. Mclaurin Again Ad-
dresses Georgia Legislature.
Hon. John L. McLaurin continues
to hold the ear of the Georgia legis-
lature in favor Of his plans for financ-
ing and marketing the southern cot
ton crop, and according to reports
from Atlanta, the legislators have be-
come pretty well convinced that he
thoroughly understands what he is
talking about.
Mr.. McLaurin, as already reported,
went to Atlanta last week by special
invitation, and addressed the house
and senate committee on agriculture,
in the hall Of the. house. Practically
the entire membership Of the legisla-
ture was present to hear what he had
to say to the agricultural committees,
and all were very much impressed
with the thoroughness of his plans
Mr.. McLaurin spoke for about two
hours and half, explaining the whole
warehouse system in detail, and going
also into a comprehensive and exhaus-
tive explanation Of the somewhat in
tricate financial manipulations as the
result Of which the south usually
gives up its cotton crop for only a
small part Of the sum to which it Is
actually entitled.
So interested were the Georgia leg
islators in what the South Carolina
authority on cotton marketing and
finance had to say, that they request
ed him to remain over and talk still
further the next day; but this invita-
ton Mr.. McLaurin did not accept, for
the reason that he thought he had
told the legislators enough to give
them plenty to think about, and 1t
would be time enough to discuss PIE
matter further after proper bill had
been reported.
The effect of the first speech, 1t ap-
pears, was all that could be expected,
for on Wednesday Mr.. McLaurin was
invited to go back again and make
another speech Wednesday afternoon.
He accepted the invitation; but before
his arrival 1t was arranged to post
pone his speech until yesterday, so as
to give opportunity for the arrival Of
delegation from the Alabama legis-
lature, and also a number Of Georgia
bankers who are very much interested
in the probable effect of the proposed
far-reaching legislation.
In his speech yesterday Mr.. McLau-
rim stressed the present gloomy out
look for the cotton market because of
the war and especially because Of the
VI PiSlui
ed a situation that meant low prices
for the near future and until the cot
ton producers could get matters in
shape to hold their crops and fix
prices at reasonable figures. He show
ed how even England could be
brought to terms by having cotton
Withheld from her. and made it plain
how, with the friendly cooperation Of
the regional reserve banking system,
which cooperation is assured, 1t will
be easily practicable to completely
control the situation. He urged legis-
lation that would facilitate the estab-
lishment Of a cooperative interstate
board, which by means Of the ware
house system, backed by the banks,
could not only establish but enforce
the minimum price at which cotton
could be bought anywhere.
Mr.. McLaurin's speech, according to
the reports, appears to have COM
manded the most interested attention
Of all present, and the common i'm
preston in Georgia legislative circles
last night was that the house was
about willing to pass any kind Of a
bill that the South Carolina warehouse
commissioner might think proper. If
there is any serious opposition it has
not yet developed.