The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-16
PACKING OF COTTON.

Edward Atklnson's Severe Criticism
OF American Methods.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15.-The Acting Seq
rotary of State recently received letter
from the British minister at Washington
relative TO the packing of American cotton
intended for shipment. in which the min
ister refers to the great risk to
human life which has been
shown TO exist from bose baling Of
cotton, and remarks that the subject is one
Of such great Importance TO both countries
and indeed TO all nations, that i'll addition to
tho evidence already submitted by him he
desires to invite attention to letter Of
Edward Atkinson stating that American
cotton u treated more dangerously
than any other great staple OF any
kind, or than any other kind OF cotton in
the world and to the latter's further re-
marks, as follows: "The bales are badly
made. badly covered, badly cut and badly
broken. They are rolled In mud and ex-
posed to the weather, aud are always 10 a
liable to impregnation Of cotton seed oil
and thereby TO spontaneous CON-
bustion. When bale Of cot>
ton, which is slightly moIstened
with oil on the end or side becomes broken
SO that the air can dnter into the interstices
among the hDers, 1t may happen very often
that right combination of fiber, oil and
oxygen will occur. causing the rapid oxida-
ton which is known as spontaneous COM
bustion.H
AN EXAMINATION RECOMMENDED.
The minister also draws attention to Mr..
Atkinsons suggestion that there should be
careful examination OF bales before ship
ment, which examination, the latter says,
Knight abate a part OF the danger, although
the whole danger will not be ahated until
the bale OF cotton is made up.
compressed, guarded and protected
as it ought to be- Correspondence
with the Secretary Of the Treasury shows
that he has repeatedly instructed the cus-
toms officers to take such measures as may
be practicable for the enforcement Of the
penalties prescribed by Law for improper
shipments of cotton. It is assumed by the
treasury department that these instructions
will lead to an examination Of the cotton
bales shipped and TO the prosecution Of the
offenders.
CRISP AND MILLS MEET.
The gessips who have been whispering
that the relations bet cen Meesrs. Mills and
Crisp were cool ought TO have witnessed the
exchange Of cordial compliments which oc-
Cured between them when they accident
ally met here to-day. Mr.. hlills in here
from ONO TO rest Tor day or two
from his campaign efforts by looking
after his tariff primer. Mr.. Crisp was
here on his way to Ohio to talk tariff
reform just as Mr.. Mills did. They agree
that this Is the ISSUE Both think it early
TO talk definitely about the speakership
gossip, but the November elections and the
uncommitted congressmen-elect may
change all calculations. However, each is
confident. DIR. Mills thinks he is in the
lead aud Mr.. Crisp thinks he is in the lead
Each regards the other as his Ga et
rival. The fact seems to be that Mr.. Crisp
has been gaining on Mr.. Mills, especially
OF late. until be is now abreast OF Mr.. Mills
II not ahead of him. IL is undoniable that
some Of AIR. Mills speeches have strength
oned Mr.. Crisp. Mr.. McMillin has gotten
information OF additional secOnd choices
lately which make IL probabis that IL
Messrs Mills aud Crisp should ultimately
defeat each other he would have q majority
q tbs caucus.