Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-01-31
Senator Smith Would
Prohibit Importation
OF Egyptian Cotton
tBY LAST MINUTE TELEGRAPH

WASHINGTON, Jan. 80. - An
amendment prohibiting the impor-
tation of Egyptian long staple cotton
| for a period of six months after the
| passage Of the senate bill designed
as a substitute for the Dent bill to
| validate informal war contracts, was
introduced today by Senator Smith,
of Arizona, when the senate began
consideration of the measure. The
amendment was defeated, AZ to 10,
after a spirited debate.
Senator Smith explained that his
purpose in Offering the amendment
was to permit planters who, in re-
Spouse to the governments appeal,
planted increased acreage of long
staple cotton to dispose of their
product in order not to incur a seri-
GUS financial loss.
By this means only, Senator Smith
saitd, can planters receive redress.
Long staple cotton, he said, is only
raised in Arizona, Southern Callfor-
MIA and parts of the southeast and
during the war was used especially
in the making of cloth for airplane
wings.
Senator Borah, of Idaho, asked
whether the Arizona senator would
be willing to incorporate in his
amendment a provision prohibiting
wool importation, to which Senator
Smith replied that this matter had
no relation to wool.
Senator Fletcher said that during
the war wool prices were fixed with
the consent of the cool growers.
Senator Smoot interrupted to say
that when the question of fixing cot
ton prices came up a storm of pro-
test came from all parts of the cot
ton states.
Arizona, that there has been no
stimulation of the wool industry by
, the government as there had been
in the cotton production, were de-
MED by Senator Warren, of Wyom-
ing, who said the government has
been urging growers to increase wool
production for several years. He
9dded there are wool growers who
hive as just claims as cotton grow
arSe.
cotton and ordinary cotton was eX-
blamed by Senator Smith, of Geor-
gia, who added that his amendment
does not come from the southern
cotton growers asking protection for
their cotton"
The war trade board odmitted
Egyptian cotton when it was refus-
ing licenses for short staple cotton
declared the Georgia senator, who
said in his opinion the boards ode
iberate purpose was to restrict the
SHIPMENT, of sort staple cotton
THE war trade board had as nuch
right and authority to fix the price
Of cotton as the man in the moon"
said Senator Smith.
CAS- much as they had on wool"
Senator Smoot interpreted, declaring
no one could buy or sell a single
pound of wool without being licensed
Ky the board. Senator Smith replied
that the government made agree,
ments regarding wool and conceded
that the government is without pow.
er to fix prices on anything except
wheat
"The president and the war trade
board broke the price of cotton to
the injury and loss Of the south to
tho extent of 0,000.00v," said Ser
ator Smith, referring 20 he plans Of
the board last September to fix cot
ton prices, when the cotton market
prices fell sharply.
Those voting in favor Of the
amendment were Senators AshlIrt and
Smith, of Arizona: Bankhead, of Ala
bama; Fletcher and Trammell, of
Florida; Johnson. Of California:
Jones, of New Mexico; Sherman and
Lewis, of Illinois, and McNary. Of
Oregon.
In explaining his vo.e, Senator
Sherman said some years ago he had
favored such a protection for long
staple cotton and he intended to sup
port the Smith amendment although
he thought in providing for tota
prohibition the protection is little
high"