The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-04-14
COTTON MEN in !!
ANNUAL SESSION
Wannamaker Regrets that Cot
ton Prevented South From
Becoming Richest Section

Montgomery, Ala, April 13.-The
annual convention of the American
Cotton Association meeting here
opened its first session this morning
with hundreds of delegates from the
cotton producing states present. First
among the opening addresses was that
of J. s. Wannamaker, of st. Mat
thews, S. c., president of the associa-
ton. Mr.. Wannamaker regretting the
fact that the south would have be-
come the richest center of the world
had it not been for the introduction
of cotton, told the convention that it
was not time of bereavement, but
that the opportunity was at hand to
change conditions and put the agri-
cultural interests of the south on a
safe and sound basis.
He advocated among other things
a commission to be appointed by the
president to visit foreign countries in
the interest of trade. He urged the
establishment of larger courses in
agriculture in the schools and colleges
and discussed at length the labor con-
ditions in the south and its remedy.
The question of fair prices for cot
ton was stressed by the national presi-
ident who said that had the producer
received anything like fair price for
cotton during the last sixty years, an
enormous enrichment would have been
brought TO: the cotton producing sec
tion The price of cotton should be
based upon the cost of production,
upon supply and demand, and upon
the manufactured product
The president of the cotton asso-
citation reviewed the organization of
the association and showed that it
had removed prejudice and brought
clearer understanding of the cotton
situation to its members and friends.
Mr. wannamaker explained the
principles for which the American
Cotton Association stood and told OF
its wonderful growth since the or
ganfzation about one year ago. He
outlined several recommendations for
the betterment of the cotton situation
principal among which were abolish
ment of wastefulness, extensive agri-
cultural courses in colleges, national
and state legislation, erection of
sheds over cotton platforms by the
carriers, and direct marketing of cot
ton both at home and abroad.
Welcoming farmers, bankers and
business men from cotton producing
states of the United States 10 the cap
itaI city for the first annual meeting
of the association. Governor Thomas
F. Kilby attacked those societies and
organizations which he said were or
ganfzed for the sole purpose of pro-
yiding positions for persons unwilling
70 work. He paid high tribute to the
American Cotton Association and said
il was a worthy and valuable organi-
zation of men
Speaking ef organizations, the gov
ernor said, a few may be really
meritorious.' but "on the whole their
nurpose is to separate the unsuspect-
ing publfc from their dollars and pro-
vide easy jobs and fat salaries for
secretaries and managing directors
who dislike the word work
OF the cotton association the gov
ernor said the advantage to be de-
rived from such a gathering as this
cannot be oyerestimated. It means a
great deal more than the association
of men for the single purpose of keep
ing up the price of cotton for season.