The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-18

We offer no excuse for the space we have
already devoted and that we viii continue
to devote to the acknowledging question.
1t is one of the most important questions
that has ever been discussed in the south,
and is a matter of vital Importance to our
farmers. 1t is necessary for the farmers aud
those who represent them to be as active
and as aggressive as the jute bagging trust
There is a good deal to be accomplished by
the hammering process, and this is The
CoNsrrUTIoN'S way. Knock, peg and
hammer. This is the way the world moves
Whatever of importance is accomplished is
the result of a struggle. If the trust is to
be whipped out, it must be fought, and THE
CONSTITUTION proposes to fight it even at
the risk of monotony.
On one issue the trust has been badly
whipped. Its agents gave out the informa-
ton some time ago that the insurance COM
panies would refuse to take risks on cotton
that was not covered in the regulation way
that is to say, with julie bagging. But in
quiry has developed the fact that the insur-
ance men are more anxious to make a
change than the farmers can possibly be.
There have been many and just complaints
in regard to the careless manner in which
cotton is baled and seut to market. These
complaints, it now appears, have related
solely to the character of the wrapping,
which is as inflammable as the cotton itself.
The cotton underwriters of the national
board of marine underwriters have adopted
a resolution to the effect that they will
make no discrimination against cotton COW
cred with any lightweight, close woven
material of reasonable strength. The cot
ton underwriters go on to say that it is their
belief that the appalling losses by fire the
past seasons have been due to the bagging
used in covering the bale, and they believe
that the use of close woven cloth of sixteen
ounces or one pound to the yard would,
with additional bands, bring immunity from
a large portion of losses by fire, and relieve
the industry from the very serious tax in
volved in the fire and marine insurance rates
as now charged.
The CONSTITUTION says now what it has
said all the time, that the farmers, by con-
certed action, can whip the bagging trust,
and it is more important that they should
do this now than to get their bagging as
cheaply as they got it last year.
At the same time, it is the duty of every
farmer to promptly meet his obligations. To
embarrass his factor or commission merchant
would cause more trouble than the success
of the bagging trust. But these obligations
can be met, and the cotton that is brought
to market for that purpose will not interfere
with the plans and desires of those who are
anxious to see the trust laid out. A very
small portion of the crop is necessary to
meet these obligations.
This can be marketed promptly, and then
when the robbers who have charge of the
trust discover that they are to be beaten,
they will make an effort to surrender
THE CONSTITUTION believes, however, that
the time has come for the farmers to make
a change in the covering for their cotton.
Jute bagging is only relatively cheap. 1t
results in high insurance rates, and, as COM
pared with burlaps, cotton duck, or osna-
burgs, it is very dear even at the old prices.
The farmers should think of these things.
n