Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-10-17
WEDNESDAYS PROGRAM

to minimum.
WEDNESDAYS PROGRAM
Wednesday for the first time in
the history of the world, a group
of twenty farmers representing the
cotton producing industry of the
south and a group of twenty spin
ners representing the textile indus
try of the world Aerd a conference
together for the purpose of discuss
ing their mutual relations as to two
main componentS of the cotton in
dustry in it's entirety.
1t seemed to be reasonably GER
tain that the conference would be
the means of bringing about far
ners of the problems that confront
the cotton producer, as well as a
far better understanding among the
producers of the problems that con-
front the textile industry.
1t seemed quite probable also that
the conference might prove the
starting point of an entirely new
system of commercial arrangements
whereby the dealings between the
producer and the spinner will be di-
rect, which system admittedly would
have strong advantages on both
sides of the table, although it's ten
dency would naturally be towards
the cutting away of the middle mans
business.
idea Of Athens Man
The conference came about some
what informally through conversa-
tons had between producers and
spinners while taking a ride Tues
day afternoon around New Orleans
harbor on the steamer Sidney. 1t
had not been scheduled on the regu-
lar program of the world cotton con-
ference. Thomas ]. Shackleford, of
Athens, suggested the idea to the
spinners, and they took it with keen
interest. Twenty prominent pro-
ducers were then appointed to repre-
sent the producing end Of the in
dustry and twenty prominent spin
ners were appointed from the United
States, Great Britain and the various
other countries represented by dele
gates attending the conference.
On every side the conference was
regarded as probably the most re-
markable thing of it's kind in the
entire history of the cotton industry.
Of course, the world cotton Confer
ence all through is a meeting to-
gether Of producers and spinners, but
it also embraces the various other
elements occupying a place in in
dustry between the producers and
the spinner, while the special con-
ference of the forty conferees that
met today was directs meeting of
the two fundamental groups.
That there is a strong trend to-
ward the elimination of what is
termed the gambling element" in
cotton exchange transactions is in
Dictated by the fact that J. S. Wanna
maker, president or the American
Cotton association, and James r.
McColl, chairman OF the executive
committee of the world cotton con-
ference, are agreed on the PROPOSE
ton that all contracts for the fu-
ture delivery of cotton should re-
quire delivery at southern ware
houses located adjacent to the
source of supply.
TUESDAYS SESSION
Country damage to cotton aggregat-
ing approximately $60,000,00O annu-
ally can be prevented by warehouses
on the farms, at gins, in interior
concentration points and at ports
handling cotton, speakers declared at
the general session Tuesday of the
world cotton conference
e. A. Calvin, of Houston, Texas,
urged campaign throughout the cot
| ton belt in the interest of warehous-
| ing, particularly on the farm. He
stated that it was his opinion most
of the country damage, equal to
about SIS a bale, originated with the
grower through exposure of cotton
| to the elements without proper pro-
| lection.
| Exception to statements that farm
ers are in the main responsible for
| country damage was taken by MANY
of the growers present, most of the
| defenders of the small farmers
| handling methods being from Texas.
| Edward G. Seibles, of New York.
declared government statistics show.
ed cotton lost to 10 pounds per
bale in weight no matter how it was
| stored.
Need Sentiment Against Waste
| Governor Thomas w. Beckett. Of
North Carolina, said that .every
group handling cotton from the pick
er to the final seller could be blam-
ed for damage to cotton. "The onlv
remedy for country damage to cot
| ton" he said, "is for the sinner to
| repent of his sins and realize the
great economic crime he is commit
ting when he contributes in any way
to decreasing the value of a bale.
| The farmer lets hf~ cotton deterior-
ate by exposing it to the weather.
bllVHr CtOrnS in