The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-09-16
THE AMERICAN COTTON
ASSOCIATION NEW ORLEANS

The convention of the American
Cotton association at New Orleans
on 9Th and 9th inst. will probably
mark new era in the industrial
South. All the cotton growing
states were well represented. All
business matters were promptly re-
ferred to appropriate committees and
received careful consideration be-
fore being reported. Excellent ad-
dresses were made to the convention
by Senator Hoke Smith, Georgia,
Ransdell, Louisiana, E. D. Smith,
South Carolina, Congressman Hef-
lin. Alabama and the editorial writer
of the New York Commercial, in ad-
dition to a comprehensive address
by President Wannamaker.
A vein of assurance, determination
and optimism ran through the speech
es of every one. Senator Hoke Smith
said, "Tell the boys to keep their
nerve and hold their cotton" He
also said that he had ascertained
through the customs house officers
that 100000 bales of cotton had
been shipped to Germany in the past
three weeks. All countries of the
world are now open to receive our
cotton and much more is needed than
we can supply. There will now be
ample means of transportation. The
greatest trouble that exists, at the
present time, is the depreciation of
foreign currency. But it is the
opinion of the speakers that each of
the countries needing our cotton will
be able to establish credits here to
get what they need. Committees,
however, were appointed to protect
every phase of our business.
!; Every speaker urged the value of
thorough organization. South Caro-
lima is the only state that has yet
begun to organize, and its paid up
membership is now far in excess OF
it's minimum quota. But we want
every one to-come into the organiza-
tion. Texas and Georgia are on fire
to organize. They had been await
ing the word from headquarters, and
could not Ibe restrained longer. But
they will soon have the opportunity.
A four days drive will be made SIM
ultaneously in all the unorganized
states Immediately after necessary
preparations, and it is believed that
a membership of over million will
soon be realized. Everywhere, it
seems, the people are anxious to join.
It is the same in Newberry coun-
ty. Our only delinquency, so far, is
due to the inaction of some of the
committees. Those who have work
ed make excellent reports. l want
to urge those who have not done so
to cover their territory as soon as
possible and make their reports.
Newberry has always been too faith
full in the discharge Of. her duty to
tail behind in This matter. # there
should be any members of the COM
mittee appointed by the central COM
mittee who will not aid in this or
ganization, l wish to ask them to
notify me and return to me the
blanks sent to them, so that l can
substitute others who will attend to
it. Quite a number of men who wish
to join have told me they have not
been asked. Men who realize the
great value of organization will put
themselves to some trouble to get
into the organization. But no eligi-
bic person in the county must be able
to say that he had no opportunity or
was not asked to join.
The minimum price of cotton for
september was 1lASu @C coS, "Aeii
half cent additional each month until
It reaches 40c in May. Judging by
the sentiment expressed, cotton will
be held. But of course some cotton
will always be thrown on the market
early in the season, regardless of
price. To meet this contingency the
American Cotton association recon-
mends that a corporation be organ
lied in every county Of the cotton
belt to buy cotton that is put on the
market under the minimum price.
Several times the statement was
made from the platform that cotton
mills do not object to a fair price
for cotton, and they can really
make more money when the price is
high than they can when it is low.
They want the price stabilized, and