Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-08-31
GROWER
s ISPOORLY PAID .
STATES JORDAN

In a statement issued Saturday,
Harvie Jordan, secretary of the
American Cotton association, asserts
that the time has come when an "in-
genuous propaganda" flooding the
country with the idea that cotton
Accent cotton, should be answered
fatty and emphattcally with the
statement and the proof that even
at 40 cents pound, the southern
cotton grower is the poorest paid
farmer" and the cheapest laborer in
any industry in the United States.
Mr.. Jordan's statement follows:
IAN old saying that where igno-
rance is bliss t'were folly to be wise
does not apply to the raw cotton in
dustry. Ignorance regarding the cot
ton industry In this country Is ram
is hurtful. This statement is fully
exemplified by the storm of ad-
verse criticism at present directed
towards the American Cotton asso-
maker, because Of their efforts to
relieve the depressing prices for
cotton by prompt and drastic means
on the part of the growers.
For the past two years a nation
wide propaganda has flooded the
country with ingenuously prepared
impression that the growers were
reaping a golden harvest from 30
to 40 cents cotton. This smoke bar
rage has been concocted and pro-
mulgated in order to screen the real
profiteers in the cotton industry,
who piled up their millions of un-
righteous gains after the staple had
left the hands of the producers. II
must be further borne in mind that
even 40 cents per pound only re-
ferred to the highest grades Of the
staple. Millions Of bales Of low
grade cotton, which cost the farmer
and put on the market, has been sac
rificed at Is. to 20 cents per pound.
Even at an average price of 40 cents
per pound for cotton, the cotton
growers Of the south would still be
cheapest laborers In any industry
in the United States.
Thousands Of northern and west
ern business men, especially travel
ing men, coming into the south are
severely criticising this association
IN it's efforts to stem the tide of
people seem to have an idea that
rs cents q pound is big price, and
If the farmers demand more they are
engaging in an unho1y alliance to
hold UP the cotton mills and prof
iteer at the expense Of the general
consuming public.
This is an unfortunate condition
OF affairs, because 1t tends to create
public sentiment adverse ito the in
terests OF the grower. Neither the
American Cotton association nor the
growers ever. asked for more than the
actual cost of production, plus a fair
and reasonable profit. Less than this
would mean the taking on again the
shackles of agricultural slavery, and
the trail Of poverty which the south
has patiently borne for fifty years.
Either there, must be cost plus a fair
p1 oft to grow cotton, or else the pro-
ductlon of cotton in this country will
cease.
I'VE have reached the parting of
the ways. No farmer is under any
obligation whatever to grow cotton at
price that will enslave him and his
family. There are plenty of other
staple crops which can be grown at a
profit in the south to take the place of
cotton.
1.-THE time has come when there
must be revision Of thought in the
minds Of those who have been misin-
formed regarding the cost of grow
ing cotton. People outside the belt
must be made. to realize that southern
cotton growers are as human and as
entitled to fair consideration and just
dealing as the people Of any other
Sc ction of the nation. What we want,
dHu IHSlSL upon is, Lndl the truth
shall be known in place of garbled
Misrepresentation.
THE total gross value Of the cot
ton produced by the average cotton
farmer would not bring, much more
than half the amount which the. fed
eral government contends is absolute
ly necessary to support a family in
decency. After rents, guano and sup
plies are paid for there is practi-
cally nothing left but a hard year Of
labor to remember the crop by
Talk of profiteering. It is absurd
""The northern people need to learn
the truth. We welcome the most
searching and painstaking investiga-
tions from any fair and impartial
source to ascertain the facts. Stop
abusing the farmers and the Amer
Jean Cotton association either from
without or within. We need the CO.
operation and support OF every inter
est to build up and systematic the
production aid handling Of cotton
upon a basis both economically and
profltably."