The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-03-25
HARDING PROMISES
TANGIBLE HELP TO
COTTON PLANTERS
Representative Oliver Obtains
Definite Assurance From
White House That Effect
i've Action to Be Taken
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS
Washington Bureau The Age-Herald
500 Davidson Building


Washington, March 24.-(Special.)
President Harding today transformed
conventional expressions Of sympathy
for the plight of the cotton producer
of the south, into promise to secure
in his own name, the requirements of
European markets, and just what
quantity of the staple they would pur-
chase if granted long time credits.
AS result. there will be no longer spec
ulation as to what relief Europe could
offer were it in position to buy. This
agreement of the President indicates not
only his interest in the south and its
financial condition, but is, in the opinion
Of southerners in Congress, the most sig
nificant development in the recent ca
lamitous history of agriculture.
CHIEFS CONSULTED
The statement of the President proved
the climax of highly intelligent inves-
tigation into the entire cotton situation
conducted by Representative w. B. Oliver
of Alabama. After interviewing Secre-
taries Hoover Davis and Mellon. w. +.
serve board; Senator Mclean, chairman
of the committee on banking and cur
rency; d. H. Lippitt, internationally
known exporter of cotton, and various
representatives of the producers, Mr..
Oliver found it necessary to develop the
truth in the general understanding that
it Europe could buy it would transform
existing cotton from a profitless COM
modify into staple of infinite value. lie
oa11 Cd On, ha af fna I1roS
Il informed Mr. Harding" said Mr..
Oliver, that it was necessary that it
be made known whether European mar
kets were actually demanding cotton, and
whether they would buy in great quanti-
ties were they given line of credit.
found the executive deeply interested and
sympathetic. He declared that the plight
of the cotton producer had already re-
ceived the attention of his cabinet. When
| indicated that by no other means could
the real facts be developed SO quickly as
by a direct inquiry in his own name,
the President agreed to act Immediately
as requested.
OPINION DIFFERS
There is differences of opinion as to
what Europe would do if it could. We
are informed by certain individuals that
if America gave credit to Europe the
countries thereof would buy to such ex-
tent that all surplus cotton would
be exhausted. On the other hand, have
the testimony OF d. H. Lippitt, long
experienced in exporting cotton, and a
factor with connections in all European
countries, that the demand is not excess
sive.
'Mr. Lippitt states that England and
France in 1920 bought more cotton than
they required, and that the only in
quiries regarding the new crop were from
Germany and Czecho-Slovakia. He adds
that the decentralization of European mar
kets is traceable to the failure of the Sem
ate to ratify the Versailles treaty, and
concludes with advice to the farmer to
hold available cotton as long as pos
sble. and reduce acreage and fertilizer IN
the production of succeeding crops, fully
50 per cent
Mr.. oliver quotes President Harding
officers of the War Finance compora-
ton and Chairman Mclean of the Senate
committee on banking and currency, as
determined that the statute under which
the corporation functions shall be ma
terially liberalized.
TOO MUCH RED TAPE
.'It is true" said Mr.. Oliver. that from
this corporation the farmer may receive
assistance But the organization is so in
volved in the meshes of red tape that
assistance comes only after intricate
naturalization and inordinate waste OF
time. President Harding spoke of the
necessity Of making that channel OF hope
more accessible to the average individual
and I have formal communication from
Chairman Mclean In which it Is stated
that existing conditions and restrictiof.s
will be lberalized.
.As a future proposition" sxid MT.
Oliver. there is certain hope for the
cotton planter, but every authority from
the President down agrees that the farm
er must help himself. In other words, It
IL the unanimous verdict that no agency
of the government can serve particle
unless the farmer reduces his acreage and
his fertilizer fully so per cent.
Mr.. oliver has furnished chanceiier W.
II. Taylor Of uniontown the result OF MS
thorough investigation with the sugges-
ton that it be transmitted in turn 70
the Alabama Bankers association, n.
(, annual convention of which VIII pc nelo
in TUSCALOOSA in April Mr.. Oliver thinks
it very advisable that the bankers employ
an agent to continue these studies, and IN
course Of his investigation visit the col
Countries OF Europe.