The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1920-11-04
An Appeal to Ginners

letter written under date of October /.
I'D, at New Orleans. and over the sig
nature of W. i. Thompson. chairman
Of the Louisiana Division of the Amer
lean Cotton Association. The letter is
intended for circulation among ginners
and doubtless Il copy of it has before
this time come to the hands Of about
nj ginners throughout the cotton belt.
also extended mention Of the order
Banner Iut further publicity is here
given that all may read the letter for
themselves and gain full knowledge of
its purport 1t reads:
The cotton .inners are either
farmers themselves or they are di-
rectly dependent for their prosperity
uEon the cotton farmers. The cotton
sinners should therefore cooperate
to the limit with any movement de-
signed to protect the cotton produc-
ing industry from calamity.
When the recent assault upon the
price of cotton was inaugurated the
remedy for the resultant artificial
depression appeared to lie in holding
cotton off the market. Although the
holding movement has not been sue
cesSful up to the present time, it has
served il some degree to retard the
wholesale slaughter Of cotton.
TIE reasons for the failure of the
holding movement to stem the tide
Of depression are two: In the first
place the holding was not consistent
or general. On the contrary. while
some ST ctions ana some individuals
were heroic;tlIy Withholding the prod
uct from the market. in other sec
lions there was !; wild and fear
crazed stampede to sell for whatever
price might he obtained. in the see
ond place. the financial situation has
made the holding of Laled cotton
increasingly difficult.
1t now becomes necessary to apply
seemingly drastic remedy. and that
remedy is to stop al ginning for
period Of thirfy ddHs. or ms much
| longer as may he necessary for the
| end in view Although this remedy
j may appear to be drastic. it is not
| SO in fact. 1t is merely the applica-
| ton to the business of cotton market
| ing the principles which are used i'll
every other successful business. The
spinner. for instance. when he finds
that lie is becoming OverStocked. will
not continue to add to the weight of
the surplus, but will curtail produc-
ton or close down his mill. This is
just exactly What he Is doing now
The same is true in every other line
Of business except cotton. The cot
ton producer is expected. and in some
instances commanded. to throw this
product ufon IL glutted or Il chloro-
formed market and the less he gets
for it the more urgent is the insist
sence that he increase the volume of
his offerings.
II This suicidal business policy must
lie terminated Tie only way to do
this under the existing conditions,
/ and the absolutely infllliiile way is
Il to Wcreaf the anyinncd COTTON from,
becoming marketable IN refusing to
| gin it. The results which will follow
such a course are inevitably these:
u First. The futile. unlawful aud
reprehensihle efforts at intimidation
by burning and threats to Eurn gins
will he eliminated
Second. The fear-crazed and panic
stricken producers will lie al solutel,
prevented from throwing their cot
ton and seed on the market to theil
own ruin and detrinient of ever.
other cotton producer i'm the South
hecause he cannot possibly sacrifice
his cotton if it is not ginled ant
haled. nor can he sacrifice his seed
Third This course adopted through
out the South will inevitably fore,
spinners. buyers and short specGla
tors into the market. The market:
will be stabilized and prices will al
vance. This will give the holders o
the present aled supply an opportu
nifty to liuuiaate their holdings ut ;
living i,rice. thereby relieving tllei
own and the general financial stfil.
gercy. and placing themselves in /;
,osition to hold the balance Of thei
crop and market the same at price
satisfactory to themselves.
In orGtr to ErotE.ce these mos
desired results. the wllole-hearte,
cooperation Of the ginners will b
necessary The leading citizens i
every community should see to i
| that public sentiment shat enforc
the faithful execution Of this plal
Such public sentiment is not to b
expressed through midnight threat
or deeds Of violence. hut throug
declarations mace in the open day Q
determination to save the cotto
producing industry and to pronlot
the public welfare.
= Begin the r0rk right no'r'
Close dorm the gins.
Do not gin bale Of cotton INT
the marker has become stabilize
u and buyers are offering liriRg price
"A Pick the good cotton rapidly IN
hold it in the seed. leaving the 10
y grades in the field.
All ginners in the respective co
ton states are urgently requested
" report to the chairman of the stai
I1:,,s.,sn,, 81 <bo tuno,.icon (snttnu 4