The Cooper Review. (Cooper, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 19, Ed. 1 Friday, May 11, 1906 Page: 1 of 8
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The Cooper Review.
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VOL 27.
COOPER, DELTA COUNTY, TEXAS, FRIDAY, MAY 11,1906.
NUMBER 19
An Appeal to Cotton Growers.
Resolutions Passed By Representatives
of the Farmers* Union—To Elim-
inate the Middle Man.
W. S. Miller returned Monday
from Washington, D. C., where
he has been as a delegate to the
Spinners and Cotton Growers
conference.
After a long discussion and de-
liberation the meeting adjourned
without effecting a permanent
organization, nor formulating
more than tenative plans for
future operation.
Below is a resolution passed by
-the Farmers’ Union delegates:
Washington, D. C.,
May 3, 1906.
To the Members of the Farmers
Educational and Co-operative
Union of America.
Gentlemen:
We, your committee, repre-
eenting our various states, togeth-
er with the chairman of our Na-
tional Executive Committee, beg
leave to submit the following re-
port, of the conference just closed
between the growers and manu-
facturers of cotton at this place.
We were met here by more than
two dozen spinners, representing
live different organizations in Eu-
rope and America, also members
of the Southern Cotton Associa-
tion and the National Giqners
Association participated in the
conference. The various subjects
before the conference were thor-
oughly discussed. To boil down
the conclusions that have been ar-
rived at, will say that the question
of direct marketing of cotton is
entirely in our hands. The manu-
facturers are not only ready, but
anxious to buy our cotton, direct
from our own warehouses. The
manufacturers would like to have
cheap cotton, but of much more
importance with him is the main-
tainance of a uniform price, not
necessarily the same price for
years, but a price that is free
from violent fluctuations or
changes which are not warranted
by conditions. It does not make
much difference to the manufact-
urer, whether he pays 10 cents or
12 cents per pound for his cotton,
provided it is a staple uniform
price to all. Just as soon as we
can demonstrate that we are pre-
pared to supply the cotton in
good marketable condition when
called for, we will have no trouble
to sell our cotton at our own
warehouses, for such jfrice as con-
ditions may justify.
A few spinners, however, are
not going to load up on high-
price cotton so long as they see a
prospect of their competitors be-
ing supplied from a demoralized
market at 7 and 8 cents a pound.
The spinners cheered heartily the
statemeut on our part, that we
are preparing to supply the
world’s demand for cotton as
wanted, in good marketable con-
dition, at such price as we find
will return all cost of production
and handling and a fair profit to
the producer. We were assured
(hat nothing would suit them bet-
ter. AH they ask is, that we so
arrange that there will be a uni-
form price to all and they are
glad to meet us and pay the price;
this statement on their part is of
oourse, based on the su
upposition
£ that we will not make tne price per oent of our farmers who fe
so exorbitant as to curtail the
consumption of cotton goods to
such an extent as to force stop-
ping of the mills. So long as we
adhere to the foundation princi-
ples on which our organization is
based, we cannot do this, besides,
self-interest would prevent it.
They are awake to the fact that
cheap land, cheap mules, cheap
human beings and (therefore)
cheap cotton, are a thing of the
past, unless indeed human beings
wish volintaril> to cheapen them-
selves. We have assured them
that we will no longer do this,
and they are ready to co-operate
with us along the lines designated.
It remains for us to build our
warehouses, properly prepare our
cotton, name the price and then
maintain it. The manufacturer
cannot do this for us, no more
than we can do the same for him.
The way he gets his price, for his
goods, is to sell when the buyer
is ready to pay that price. We
can get our price the same way
and no other. The whole matter
is in our hands,to succeed or fail,
just as we choose.
Some of the spinners, a majori-
ty of those present, believe that
we will do what we say. They
know that we can do it. Others
smile and say: “Will the farmer
stick?” Now let us show him.
Not only should every member of
our organization stand loyally by
its principles and help to carry
out its purposes, but it behooves
each of us to explain to his neigh-
bor, who has not yet become a
member of the organization, that
it is his duty, as well as his privi-
lege, to come in and help us, that
we may the more quickly and
surely, accomplish our purpose,
which is to place such a price on
the sulplus products of the farm
as will give to the farmer com-
pensation equal to that received
by any other class, in proportion
to the capital invested and labor
performed. This, we will do.
Our neighbors who hang back
and refuse to join us have hereto-
fore received practically equal
benefits with us who have “borne
the heat and burden of the day.”
Under all rules of justice and
fairness—yes, under the principles
of common honesty—it is the
duty of every farmer to become a
member of our organization and
work in harmony with its plans
(contributing his prorate of ex-
pense, which is very small, yet
essential.)
The larger the organization be-
comes, the more loyal its mem-
bership, and the better we edu
cate ourselves as to the variou !
ways and means of protecting our
interest, the sooner we will ar-
complish our ends. There is r.o
longer any reasonable excuse f >r
doubting the success of tLis
movement. There is no longer
any reason for farmers remaining
outside of the organization, ex-
cept they either do not wish suc-
cess, or they desire to gain the
benefits without contributing &
share of the necessary time and
expense of securing same. W
are sure that there is a very sma
that way, consequently, we are
sure that only a very small per j
cent will refuse to join with us if i
the matter is properly laid before j
them.
Let every member now strive
earnestly to be master of his own
cotton when it goes into the bale
and into the warehouse next fall,
the balance is easy, but don’t for-
get that the man who has a few
bales of cotton lying out in the
weather with a cow eating on one
end of the bale and a mortgage
on the other is not in condition to
demand and secure a price.
The class of men who are in
this condition year by year, are a
serious drawback to our efforts.
We must made anangements
whereby their cotton can be pro-
perly stored and a large per cent
of its value secured for their use,
on the best possible terms. By
helping this unfortunate class we
help ourselves. Their cotton
must not be allowed to glut the
market to the detriment of all.
We cannot afford literally to car-
ry the man who will make no in-
telligent, energetic efforts to help
himself, but there are not enough
of this shiftless class to depress
the market, for more than a short
time at least.
When we speak of “eliminat-
ing the speculator” let us not get
the idea into our minds that we
are only to say “prestochange”
and the work will be accomplish-
ed—not by any means. The
speculator—the cotton broker—
will die hard and don’t deceive
yourselves on that score. Backed
by millions of money they feel
secure and hoot at our efforte.
They say “how will you finance
the crop?” Don’t let that bluff
you. Let every man possible
raise his own living. Own your
cotton when it goes into the bale,
and it does not need any financ-
ing. A larger number of our
southern farmers are getting in
this condition each year, and with
the pricing of our products in
our own hands, all may soon get
in that condition who will.
In the meantime, the man who
does not own over two-thirds of
the value of his crop can easily
be taken care of. One thing we
notice—and we want to give you
all the information that we have
gained—the spinners, while they
are anxious to buy from us, at a
stable, uniform price, are a little
slow to attempt to break away
from the grasp of the broker,
until tney are assured that we are
ready to supply their demands.
That is all he wants to know.
He does want to be assured of
that. The spinner dreads the
power of the speculator. He
fears that if he makes an effort to
change his method of purchasing
(and then we should fail to sup-
ply him) that the speculator
•ild punish him severely. The
culator has been a hard master
• the spinner and he is only too
d to accept an opportunity to
t from under his power. All
•- wants is reasonable assurance
’ at he will not be “captjred”
>id punishsd for his efforts to ag-
ape. Can we give thatassuraneb?
No, and yes! Under old condi-
tions, no! With a thorough or-
ganization and a complete system
of warehouses, yes! Farmers, let
us perfect our oaganication. Keep
in close-touch with our State and
National headquarters, build our
warehouses, own our cotton and
J Correspondence
Weekly budget of news
gathered b y Review
regular Correspondent*
throughout the county
Union Qrove.
Received last week.
I am sure glad to read another
grand epistle from our Texas
Jack, and to learn he is alive and
well and returned to his old
range. Hope he ivill keep us
posted on Cedar Creek, more
especially on Frank Simpson and
his poor little unfortunate Jett
Prof. Carington’s school closet
at Long Ridge and the exercises
last Thursday night were fine.
Music furnished by the Mt. Joy
string band led by Professor
Jones of same place, was a treat
long to be remembered. Prof
Carington has thanks and goot
wishes from patrons and pupils
for his succesful labor while here.
Charleston school closing exer-
cises Friday, Saturday and Sat
urday night were carried on to
perfection. Professor A. W.
Templeton and his two good as-
sistant teachers have taught a
school that meets the hearty ap-
proval of all in the district. We
met Little Mollie there with her
up-to-date bonnet on. All smiles.
During the closing excrceses of
both schools good order pre-
vailed. No whiskey drinking or
drunkness whatever, shows
plainly that loc.vl option in Lamar
county has done this county good
to which we say, glory.
J. W. Avance has bought
then price it. It is not necessary
that we own the entire crop, no!
If we control only 1,000,000 bales
we can sell that at our price(with-
in reason) there is no surplus cot-
ton. The trade demands it all.
We must proceed, however, to
make preparations to take care of
the surplus provided at some fu-
ture time there should be one,
and until we have such prepara-
tions complete we should be very
careful to hold down our cotton
acreage and raise our living at
home, a large surplus under our
present conditions for handling
same, would be disasterous. When
our preparations are complete,
should we then raise a crop of 15,-
000,000 bales and the world needs
12,000,000 (at our price) we will
sell them 12,000,000 and carry the
other 3,000,000 over for the next
year.
We feel that we have made the
situation clear to you. The sit-
uation is in our hands. Let u«
proceed to make the proper use
of it. Fraternally,
W. S. Miller, Chairman of
the National Executive Commit-
tee.
E. A. Calvin, President Tex-
as State Union,
C.' S. Barrett, President
Georgia State Union,
F. W. Davis, Chairman Tex-
as State Executive State Com-
mittee,
Campbell Russell, Chair-
man The Iudiahoma Executive
Committee,
H. P. Hudson, Member Ten-
nessee Executive Committee,
Ben L. Griffin, Secretary-
Treasurer, Arkansas State Union,
E. J. Cook, Secretary-Treas-
urer, Alabama State Union,
B. F. Parker, State Business
Agent for Alabama,
J. W. Boikttk, Secretary-
Treasurer, Louisiana State Union,
B. F. Earle, S((ate Organizer
for South Carolina.
/
/
half interest with Alonzo Fincher
and the two are now running a
meat market and confectionary
stand in Charleston.
Last Friday night during the
rain and hail storm.Mr. Tarpley’s
residence was struck d>y lightning,
tearing a considerable hole
through the roof, smashing up
cook stove and dishes consider-
ably. Fortunately no further
damages were done.
On the same night Martin
Crook and Dr, Westerman were
scared out of their wits by a
stroke of lightning burning the
phone wire in two at the box in
Crook’s residence. Dr. Wester-
man said, “gee whize, let’s get
out, this thing is going to pieces.”
Also George Anderson’s phope
box w^s struck and burned out,
scorching the wall some what.
Leslie Combs fills his appoint-
ment at Lake Creek every Sun-
day, rain or shine. I don’t blame
him a bit.
John Robertson, Dr. Ben
Westerman and Jim Strain are
candidates in a race for matri-
mony and the one that gets mar-
ried first, the other two are to fit
the lucky one up with a good
new buggy which will push the
business to a close. A wedding
is expected soon.
Last Friday night Mr. Silvester
Smelley and Miss Idea Jackson
were sealed together in wedlook,
by Esquire Frith.
Does anyone know who the
pretty girl is Prof. Henslee was'
escorting around in his two hone
buggy last Sunday? She doesn't
live in Hopkins county I know.
Mrs. Carter Anderson left last
week for a two or three weeks'
visit to Clarksville.
J. A. Bates, an old veteran,
has returned from a visit to the
reunion at New Orleans.
Since the close call on two
young fellows for vagrancy to
Charleston, others have gone at
work. Including J. E. Rhodes,
J. F. Wood and Billie Turner.
Just let the good work go on.
Dr. R. S. Helm and lady from
Wood county were visitors here
last week.
Henry Cabeen and lady of
Cooper were guests of Dr. W. A.
Woods and attended the closing
school exercises at Charleston.
Mrs. Lizzie Rhodes attended
the exercises Friday and Satur-
day. Something unusual.
Old Peter.
Rattan Rnmbliafa.
Health around Rattan is very
good, considi ring so much rain.
Tom Moss has Jjeen very sick,
but is better.
S. E. Thompson and G. G.
Gough are up against the crab
grass and tea weeds and every
other kind of weeds are about to
take them.
Dr. Landcaster is at home from
college and will practice at Amy.
Dillie Morris has sold out his
blacksmith shop and will, move to
Franklin.
The school at this place will bo
out in about a week.
The debating society has about
{one dead.
Success to the Review.
Guess Who.
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The Cooper Review. (Cooper, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 19, Ed. 1 Friday, May 11, 1906, newspaper, May 11, 1906; Cooper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth980075/m1/1/: accessed July 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Delta County Public Library.