The New York herald., 1921-05-31
PHONES TO MEETING
Two Little Girls Thank
Him on Behalf of
the Growers.
DROP IN PRODUCTION
Prosperity of Whole South Is
Threatened by Prices Which
Are 0ne-third of Cost.

II
| President Harding told members of
the American Cotton Association, who
were decidedly pessimistic over the
world outlook for their industry when
they assembled yesterday at the Ho-
tel PENNSYLVANIA, that the Federal ,Ad-
ministration was willing to cooperate
in helping the cotton growers out of
serious situation.
| The President telephoned his mes
sage from the White House and when
his words had been taken down by
stenographer Senator Joseph z. Rams
dell OF Louisiana said that two little
girls would express to him the thanks
CT the convention for his encourage
ment. The Senator then introduced
to the President Mary Chase, daugh
ter of a cotton grower of Charlotte,
n. c., and Lillian Moeller of 1914 Ar
thur avenue. The Bronx.
"Hey. there, how are you?" five-year-
old Mary shouted into the telephone
and those near by heard the Presidents
hearty laugh as he explained he was
quite well. The little girl was told by
her elders to express a more conven-
tional greeting and said solemnly. THE
South thanks you for your message"
and Lillian added. God bless you and
our country"
Message to World Delegates.
Sketching briefly the extent and i'm
portance of the cotton trade, the Presi-
dent said that any disaster to the in
dustry would be a disaster to the entire
country and added:
Just at this time it is recognized
| that cotton industries face A critical
situation. and you may be assured that
the Administration desires in every pos
sible way TO cooperate with those seek
ing TO improve conditions.
ITO the American delegates who are
about 10 leave for England TO attend
the World Cotton Conference | want
to express my hope that the meeting
may be successful and contribute not
alone to the combined development of
the cotton industry. but toward the
restoration of sound economic condi-
| tions throughout the world
Keep up the price of cotton even
if it Is necessary to further cut pro-
4 duction" was the theme of several who
discussed the market and general con-
ditions in the industry from every angle.
4 The cotton crop for 1927 will be $500, 600
| bales according TO figures presented
\ by Harvie Jordan, secretary of the as
/ sociation The crop last year was
Is. 10000 bales.
| Senator Ransdell estimated that ad-
verse market conditions had resulted
in loss OF close TO $1,000. 100000 to the
/ cotton producers. Cotton has been SELL
\ Ing at one-third the cost of produc-
1 ton. Lack of markets and the inn
possibility OF obtaining loans to pro-
duce the crop this year are big factors
ia the industry.
Heavy Reduction I'm Planting.
There has been a 80 per cent. reduc-
/ ton in the acreage of cotton planted
this year. Five per cent. of that planted
has been abandoned and so per cent
less fertilizer than in former years is
used this year That used is so per
cent. less effective than formerly.
Senator T.. d. Smith of South Caro-
lima said the price OF cotton will go
higher soon, and added that under ex-
vesting cotton should bring thirty cents
a pound "and never should have been
4 less than thirty cents and should not
\ be less in the future"
J. S. Wannamaker of st. Matthews
/ s. c., presid ent OF the association. said
he had information that one manufac-
turer was buying cotton on n big scale
and advising his associates to buy, be-
lievng the price was going up because
the country is facing the shortest crop in
twenty-five years.
The association has been carrying on
an extensive campaign to reduce the cot
ton acreage planted as the only means
or limiting the output and keeping up
the price, and claimed decided success
+ for its activities. Dehation in values
restriction OF credits and exports have
/ thrown the industry back a quarter or
a century, the speaker said, and this is
bound to result in an intense shortage OF
supply TO meet "the oncoming revival Of
the world spindle" or the campaign
the speaker said:
The people OF the South realized their
commercial life was in jeopardy and
practically the entire business life OF
the South Joined us in the campaign"
Cotton Exchanges Attacked.
tnul cotton rs recognized as 2 ma
tional industry and yields a profitable
price to tho grower every Southern in
dustry win be retarded. Mr.. Wanna
maker said. Cotton woven into the
finished fabric IN this country mutlplies
the value OF the raw staple from four 10
six times and II Is an economic loss 10
ship 80 large 2 proportion of the
American crop abroad in raw form.
Lawrence ID. Tyson. representing the
cotton manufacturers. said they were IT.
the same boat With tho growers w r.
Meadows of the United States Depart
ment or Agriculture advised establish
Ing one set Of standards IN the industry
to cut out waste. and Senator Thomas
J. Henin or Alabama favors n law to
eliminate wash sales OF cotton and as
sure delivery of the grade sold In
futures.
III tho cotton exchanges cannot be
regulated. am In favor of killing
| them" the Senator said. I'VE do not
have to have exchanges 10 sell cotton
l hope we can pass a law allowing title
to bale or cotton to vest in one person
the same as real estate. The exchanges
should have been closed last autumn
when this depression came IN the in
dustry. some of the people In Wash
ingtou who have favored regulation or
the exchanges now arc coming round ta
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