Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-05-25
HARRIS FINDS
EUROPE NEEDS
MORE COTTON
THAN EXISTS
Senator Back From Trip Abroad
Tells Of Experiences---Visits
Grave Of Capt. Munro.

WASHINGTON. May Ex-senator
William j. Harris, of Georgia, has just
returned from France to take his seat
at the extra session of congress which
is now at work. He was delayed five
days because of the U. S. S. Mt. Yer
non on which he had reservations, sail
ing day ahead of schedule to carry
Secretary of the Navy Daniels and
party. Senator Harris made the follow
ing statement upon his arrival:
When entering upon my duties on
March 4, | realized that two things
were uppermOst in the minds of the
people of Georgia. First was getting
the soldiers home as soon as possible
and second, markets and ships for cot
ton. In the first matter l found that
the war department was referring all
such matters to General Pershing and
his staff and l therefore visited him
in person spending two days at gen
eral headquarters giving personal at
tention to these matters
Units of the 31st division had re-
turned, and my first work was to
make sure of no delay in the move
ments of the SIND and And divisions
which sailed shortly after my arrival.
| was assured that the 106th engi-
neers of the 31st division composed
principally of Georgians, would leave
France not later than the end of June.
The return for family and business
reasons of large number of Geor-
gians for immediate discharge was Sc
cured by me except in rare instances
where l was informed that their ser
vices could not be spared at this time.
Conferred on Shipping.
Before leaving the United States
| conferred with Chairman Hurley OF
the Shipping Board, in reference to
expectation of cotton and l conferred
in Paris with the different government
commissions dealing with ships and
cotton. l went to Italy and conferred
man of Italian Board for purchase OF
cotton and Commissioner Tobler. Italy
has consumed a small amount of cot
ton ND to this time, because of the fl
nancial condition of her country. She
has spent three-fourths of the value OF
her total wealth and lost three-fOurths
of her shipping during the war. The
government controls the purchase OF
everything.
They need cotton next to food.
| conferred with representatives OF
Poland and Czecho-Slovakia and other
European nations who are interested
in cotton. These new nations alone
need 100000 bales and their govern
ments are aiding manufacturers in the
nurchase of cotton. There is short
age of food and clothing in all these
countries and after food cotton Will
be the first purchase. There is not
enough cotton in the world to supply
the shortage in cotton goods If these
countries can get the cotton they need.
Chairman Baruch of the United
States Economic Board in Paris, MI.
Mccormick and Mr. Hoover are lend
ing every assistance possible to our
people in getting markets and credits
for countries needing cotton.
Markets Being Arranged.
|. Markets are being arranged IN Far
is and I wanted to let them know that
cotton had friends.
81 conferred with President Wilson
about helping the cotton situation aho
he is doing everything that can pe
done. My earnest hope is that my ef-
forts will materially benefit the cot
ton growers of Georgia.
"Georgians were found everywhere
first at Brest, when l landed, where
Col. Asa Singleton chief OF stair o
the base, is stationed. His home is a
Fort Valley and he like thousands o
other Georgians distinguished hlmsel
at the front in the war and is now en-
gagged in the great work of getting tn
troops home.
Just before leaving France | wa
joined by my brother Major Genera
Peter c. Harris, and we spent tw
weeks in the devastated region, an
visiting the battle fields in which hi
son commanded his company. Th
scenes of destruction beggars descrip
tion; hundreds Of towns ar complete
ly destroyed-in some not soul re
mains, while in many there are only
few people.
All military men from General Per