Cotton Growers' Association

This is the county organization that had representatives for the different cities and towns in Maricopa County. 

-Five cotton growers' associations are to be formed in the Salt River Valley.  This was decided at the second meeting of the central organization.  There will be one head organization for all of the valley, but each association can create their own rules as long as they don't affect the valley as a whole.

Representatives of each district are to call a meeting as soon as possible in their areas to meet with growers.  The five districts are Tempe with Charles Waterhouse, Chandler with George Peabody, Harry Chandler for Mesa, Glendale with H. B. Atha with Glendale, and W.S. Humbert in Phoenix.

The major problem they face is farm labor.  E. W. Hudson, the farm expert at Sacaton, tried to get Native Americans to help, but had turned them down even after being promised wages and suitable living quarters.  After time they've changed their minds and are willing to work.  He also wants to bring in families from Texas and Arkansas.  Mexicans can also be depended on.  (Chandler Arizonan 2/28/1913) 

-A meeting of various cotton growers' associations was held last Saturday in Mesa.  George T. Peabody and S. A. Meyer represented Chandler.  Thirty-two hundred acres were represented with 1,500 from Mesa, 500 from Scottsdale and Tempe, and 1,200 from Chandler and Higley.

Mr. Waterhouse from Tempe was made chairman, and Mr. Knox from Mesa was made secretary.  Mr. Hudson of the government farm at Sacaton was also present.

The major issue was on labor, and how to bring in white families over Japanese and hobos.  One idea for bringing and encouraging white families is to lease them land in this area until they can make it on their own.

A committee was appointed to deal with these issues by creating a central organization.  Messrs. Dorman of Mesa, Peabody of Chandler, Waterhouse of Tempe and Scottsdale, and Hudson of Sacaton were appointed.  They were to confer with representatives of Phoenix and Glendale.

Mr. William McFadden for the Dallas Gin concern said he would have a proposition within a month for a gin.  He has a saw gin.  Mr. Pierce represented the Universal Gin, who said he would gin the cotton for nothing if the cotton association would buy stock in his gins, and give him a percentage.  He would not sell his gins outright, because he preferred to keep interest in them.  His proposal was not met with approval.  (Chandler Arizonan 5/16/1913) 

-At a meeting in Mesa on Monday, delegates from all over the county met to organize a permanent county central cotton association.  The following officers were elected: H. A. Waterhouse of Tempe, chairman; E.C. Caldwell of Scottsdale, vice-chairman; W.H. Knox of Mesa, secretary; G. T. Peabody of Chandler treasurer.

A committee was supposed to report on transportation of labor, but as the committee was only temporary and A.B. Gattor of the A & E Railroad had not been heard from so it was postponed.

The object of the organization is to be a central committee for other cotton growing associations to solve the problems of labor and the growing of cotton.  (Chandler Arizonan 5/30/1913)

-A labor agent in Tucson has responded to the call for need of farm labor.  Even though the association asked for white labor, he asked if expert Mexican labor from Yaqui River Country would be all right.  He was told to bring them along, and is taking them by auto.  The laborers had been driven out of Mexico by insurrections.  (Reposted from the Gazette in the Chandler Arizonan 6/20/1913)

-Mr. Knox was appointed to be in charge of getting publicity for the valley in the southern papers.  (Chandler Arizonan 6/27/1913)