New-York tribune., 1918-05-04
u. S. Control of
Cotton Approved
If a War Need
Manufacturers Ready to
Accept Decision of
Administration
Officers Are Named
Charles II. Sabin Warns
Against Too Much Govern
mental Interference

Resolutions pledging "cheerful ac-
ceptance" of governmental price fixing
on cotton goods, "if the Administra-
ton deems price fixing necessary to
win the war;" were passed Yesterday
by the National Association of Cotton
Manufacturers and the American Co.
ton Manufacturers Association, in the
ahal session of their joint convention
at the Hotel Biltmore. The National
Association represents the New Eng
land cotton interests and Southern mill
owners form the membership Of the
other organization.
Another resolution, inspired by the
declaration of Josephus Daniels, Sec
retary of the Navy, at the cotton mems
annual dinner Thursday night, that
cotton manufacturing is an essential
war industry, called for the appoint
ment OF committee to urge the War
Trade Board to classify the industry
as essential" Opposition to legisla-
ton, now pending in Massachusetts,,
providing for a ffty-hour week for
women and minors in mills and fac
tories was voiced in another resolu-
tion. A fourth pledged the organiza-
tions to stop the expectation of cotton
which might reach enemy nations.
Note of Warning Sounded
Charles H. Sabin, president of the
Guaranty Trust Company, speaking on
the problem of adjusting industry to
the strain of war finance, warned of
the dangers which might follow too
great measure of governmental in
reference with industrial affairs.
"While the winning of the war may
make it imperative for us to use
autocracy's weapons in fighting autoc-
racy, we must take every precaution
to preserve as much as possible of the
machinery and spirit of democracy
he said. "In order to accomplish that
there should be as little governmental
interference and regulation as the ext
gencies of the present crisis permit"
Benjamin F. Harris, president of the
First National Bank of Champaign, III.
created stir by more vehemently as.
sailing the Administration.
"a tremendous disillusonment has
come TO us in our own house." he said
tween our idealized democratic pur-
poses in this war and the autocratie
conduct Of some Of those who are guild
ing industry, production and govern.
ment.
months ago it was our clear duty tc
tear out by the roots all disloyalty anC
Bolshevism under our flag. For shame
that we have yet to hear the report
from the first firing squad.
"The country is not aroused-is not
largely because of the psy-
ship. We have been weak. like Keren-
sky, in dealing with facts and tr;litors
We have trifled like Trotzky with dip
lomats and our national life, exhibit
ing meanwhile a disconcerting and
damning pacifst taint that thanks God
we were wholly unprepared.'"
Officers Elected
The following officers were elected by
the American Cotton Manufacturers
Association: Arthur J. Draper, Char
lotte. N. g., president; James D. Ham
NETT, Anderson, S. c., vice president;
Winston D. Adams, Charlotte, N. c.,
secretary and treasurer; Allen F. John
son, Atlanta, chairman of the board of
governors.
The national association officers
elected were: w. Frank Shove, Fall
River, Mass, president; Russell B.
Lowe, Fitchburg, Mass, and James
Thomson, NeW Bedford, Mass, vice
presidents; Lewis Dexter. Manchester
n. H.. and John Skinner. Easthampton,
Mass, directors for one year; Albert
Blum, New York, and Charles M
Holmes, New Bedford, directors for two
years; j. Arthur Atwood, Providence;
Charles B. Chase, Fall River; Gros-
venor Ely. Norwich, Conn; Frederick
L. Jenckes, Pawtucket, and William L.
Lyall, Passaic, directors for three years.