The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-15
The Round Cotton Bale

According to the New Orleans Times
Democrat the cylindrical cotton bale is
not destined to work the revolution
which has been very generally pre-
dicted.
1t will De remembered that the round
bale "a exhibited at Cotton States
J and International exposition, and at
tracted much attention. At that time
there was a contest owe the patent
and it was asserted that as soon as this
was settled the new bale would rapid-
ly displace the square BALE.
Those who control the manufacture
OF the round bale expected to see il
used for a great part of the present
crop, but for some reason it does not
seem to " take"
A few days ago a cylindrical bale of
cotton was exhibited at the office of
Mr.. Parker, a New Orleans cotton fac
tor. The Times-Democrat declares that
the verdict of those who examined the
bale was practically unanimous against
it. 1t says:
There were cotton factors. mer-
chants, steamship men, cotton press
men, cotton mill men, screwmen, steve
dores, and many others interested in
cotton who went in there to inspect it,
and of the 500 people, whom Mr.. Park
er says saw the cotton, not one Of them
IN his presence gave it a favorable
opinion.
1.-THE suggestion of this style Of cot
ton bale taking the place of the square
has, of course, created a great deal of
interest among local cotton ppeople.
If it ever becomes the style in this Sec
ton of the country, as one of the cot
ton men said yesterday, it will not only
do away with local cotton factories, local
buyers, local congresses, and screw
men, but will close up all the country
congresses, obviate the necessity of
having country buyers-in fact, revo-
lut1onize the whole cotton business and
paralyze those branches indicated
above. It is probable that the hackers
and promoters of the round bale buy
their cotton direct from the consumer
IN the field, thus doing away with all
fiddle men. The cotton men here say
that the system would result event.
ually In the trust people debating terms
to the producer of cotton. They might
give probably a better price thar any
one else for a year or two, but as soon
as they got control of the staple they
would dictate prices and terms to the
farmer.
M Vincent, of the firm of Vincent
g Hayne, who was present, said that
the adoption of that kind Of cotton bal
ing would throw out of business all the
20O congresses Of the south, and would
mean a revOlutiOn-not only a evolu-
tlon I'm a business sense-but one in
which the people of the country will
rise up In arms against the closing of
a business that now gives EMPLOYMENT
to 50 many working people.
The bale is not we'll pressed-noth-
ing like the square bale. II adopted, it
would do away with the compress, the
cotton facOrs, screwmen, etc.
The cotton men nave not made any
yet for a concerted action against
the invade of the south's greatest in
t~erests, but they will do so. There is
plenty OF time, they say, but something |
must n shall be done to avert the |
threatened ruin of southern planters
and the people whose interests are |
with them"
The advers comments of the New |
Orleans cotton dealers will not be taken |
as final.
If the round bale can be used to !
greater advantage than the rectangular
pale, II cotton can be packed more /
in it n without injury. if it
will better protect it from fire, and if it
IS cheaper than the present METHOD
all of the points of superiority are
confidently claimed for it, the round
BALE will surely make it's way into very
use.
It is evident, however, that it's pros
oects have received a severe. blow in
New Orleans.-Atlanta Constitution.