Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-11-26
WAR TRADE BOARD
HAS LIFTED BAN ON
EXPORTS OF COTTON
BY THEODORE T1LLEE.

The war trade board announced
Thursday night the lifting of the eX-
port license restrictions on cotton
shipments, thus ending all agitation
which southern members of congress
had conducted for several weeks to
bring the cotton market back to its
normal status.
Just before congress adjourned
sine die on Thursday afternoon at .
O'Clock. Senator Hoke Smith, in
senate speech, explained how export
restrictions had lowered the demand
and price of cotton and referred TO
the successful fight of southern
senators and Representatives to have
these removed. 1t was Senator Smith
who called a conference OF southern
legislators two weeks ago to con-
slider the cotton situation and at this
conference committees were named
to present to the president, the war
trade board and the cotton distribu-
tion committee the arguments of the
southern senators and representa-
tives concerning noninterference
with the law of supply and demand
as it concerned cotton.
Senator Smith read into the rec
ord Thursday letters exchanged be-
tween himself and Chairman Brand,
of the cotton distribution commit
tee, wherein it was demonstrated
that export license restrictions were
largely responsible for the unsatis-
factory cotton market. Represent
ing the views of house members who
were alarmed over the cotton situa-
ton, Representatives Thomas NJ.
Bell and G. H. Brand, Of Georgia,
made public today a letter addressed
by them to President Wilson. This
letter, which reflected sentiments of
members of the Georgia and other
southern delegations, directed the
presidents attention to the serious
~ ~ hn ~ flC
states.
The Aetter Of Representative
Brand and Bell read:
For the last two weeks we have
been receiving letters and kilograms
from constituents in our districts n
regard to the cotton situation.
TT has been suggested if the war
trade board or Mr.. Brands commit
tee do not give any relief to the cot
ton grower that We appeal to you.
THE farmers of our districts as
a rule are not selling their cotton.
Most of it is stored in warehouses.
The warehousemen will not loan a
dollar upon this cotton. They claim
that they cannot borrow any more
money from the banks and for this
reason they decline to make any ad-
vances no matter how much collat-
eral is offered.
Our people believe If the embargo
upon shipments of cotton is lifted or
removed that the price thereof will
seek it's level, which in the judg-
ment of cotton producers and other
well-posIed men will be from 35 to
40 cents per pound. This has been
costly crop to make, and to sell
1t at The present price means a great
sacrifice.
I'VE are deeply concerned and in
terested in this matter. If you do
not deem ii proper or wise to remove
Il .NNHnn g.
NIT for your serious and immediate
consideration the proposition of not
only authorizing but ordering the
war trade board to remove it's re-
strictions upon the shipment of cot
ton and literally licensing the same.
This matter is not q question Of
politics with us or our constituents
but next to the war and the issues
growing out of it, il is the most Sc
rious problem at present confront
ing our people. We hope and trust
that the matter may receive favor
able consideration at your hands"
Senator Hoke Smith informed the
senate that with the lifting of Ii
cense restrictions various countries
were ready to take several million
bales of cotton. Figures in his pos
session showed that England needs
m0re.&han three million bales. while
other countries have requirements
substantially as follows:
Sweden, one hundred thousand
bales; Japan, one million; Spain,
one million: Italy. six hundred thou
sand; France. nine hundred thou
hundred thousand.
The formal announcement of the
war trade board, which means an
immediate liberation of the cotton
market and is a distinct concession
TO southern spokesman for the cot
ton interests, read:
The war trade board, in co-opera-
ton with the committee of cotton
distribution of the war industries
board. makes the following announce
ment:
ION and after December 2. 1918, no
individual licenses will be required
for the expectation of raw cotton to
Great Britain, France, italy Belgium
or Japan. A special export license
will be issued to the proper Gus
toms officials at points of exit who
will be authorized to pass shipments
in accordance Herewith.
'The regulation governing exports
of raw cotton to Spain, whereby the
quantity eXportable to Spain was
limited and allotted among the Va
November %. 1918, and arplica tons
will be considered looking toward
the granting of licenses freely.
applications to EXPORT raw cot
ton to other destinations VIII be con
s.dered and granted freely, and
where agreements exist, interna-
tional licenses will be granted in
accordance herewith:
"The regulation affecting the eX-
nortation Of raw cotton wv. T. b. R.,
265, Oct. II, 1919. which required
that the grade and staple be speci
fled on annlication to export raw cot
ton and that the applicant also dis
close the existence Of an actual
sales contract or that there had been
a freight allotment or engagement,
IS Withdrawn. effective November
%, 1918"