The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-02
ISSUE NOTE'TO. '
 COTTON GROWER
Southern Senators And Con :seresslnen Warn Against Any
 Increase In Acreage 8$,

,; WASHINGTON, March IA warm ins to southern farmers that, creation Of 'san enormous. cotton acreage this spring would establish "a foundation for. further definition of cotton values, was, issued today following a, meeting of senators and congressman from cot ton growing states. Senator Smith, democrat. South Carolina, presided.
 t"As representatives of the cotton states, the statement said, "We feel impelled to issue this note of warning to the cotton growing industry and in behalf of the welfare, of the growers, upon whose success and prosperity de- pend the progress and full develop mlent of one-third of the American nation" -se35 r..
 To Investigate Report S
 Announcing that definite action all ready has been inaugurated to inyess tigate tho cotton report issued Febru- ary l, the conference declared the value of cotton had Suffered severe and drastic relapse" as result of, that estimate, and assured cotton farmers of their united aid in the enactment of "sound federal Legislation to ale
 viate existing conditions" .t
 ''In the face of constantly diminish ing supplies" the statement continued" of increased exports and heavy domes- tic consumption, buyers panic has been created in the cotton goods trade as result of recent declines in the price of raw product. The present price of spot cotton in the local mar kets of the south is below the estimat- ed average cost of production. Foreign aud domestic mills consuming Amer ican cotton have by agreement or in dustrial action begun widespread cur tailment by operating their spindles or, halt! time or four days week. The demand for cotton staple fabrics by retail merchants is being limited to immediate needs, according to reports of the. jobbing and wholesale trade.
 Increase Economic Error
 "1n addition to the above, represen- tations are being spread broadcast
 through the press and other sources of publicity, that the cotton acreage for 1924 will be largely, increased over the acreage planted in 1923, not only in the United States, but in many foreign countries. An increased cotton acre dSe unQeF IOe eX1ctlnS uFdSttC ue- cline in the price of raw cotton. and pessimistic dry goods trade is mat ter. which should command the serious attention of cottoh. growers in the southern states before it is too late to correct an economic error.
 ].'As representatives of the. cotton states, we feel impelled to issue this note of warning to the cotton growing industry and. in behalf of the welfare of the growers, upon. whose success and prosperity depend the progress and ffancial development of 'one-third' of the nation. We view, with deepest con eern the continued depression in mar ket values of staple farm products, the increasing burdens of debt on Amer ican farmers and widespread exodus of farm labor from the field to in- dustfial .centers! The fullest support Of southern senators and congressmen during this period of agriculture depres- sion can be depended upon to advocate the speedy enactment of sound federal legislation, that will tend to alleviate existing conditions and trehabilitate ths agricultural induStry.p ? , E ag \ r " IA