The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1898-01-27

Exchange, and promptly received replies
as follows:
"'New York Cotton Exchange New
York, June 3, 1896 Hon. A. ]. Rose,
Commissioner of Agriculture, etc, Aus
tin, Tex: Dear Sir-Your favor of the
10Th ultimo came duly to hand | have
investigated the subject and learn that
the tare on 500-pound bale of cotton in
Liverpool would be 81 pounds, provided
there were eight iron bands: that is to say
the net weight the buyer pays for on the
scales for a 500-pound bale would be 1853
pounds. Yours truly,
Superintendent.
Cotton Exchange Building, New
York, June 25, 1904. J. Rose, Esq,
Commissioner of Agriculture of Texas:
Dear Sir-Your letter of May 2G, to
the bureau of statistics of the treasury
department in Washington, having been
referred to me by the chief clerk of the
bureau of statistics for reply, ! beg to
say that all cotton is sold in Liverpool
upon net weight, and that in order to ar
rive ut the net weight of bale of cotton
the following deductions are made from
it's gross weight: Two (2) pounds for
draft. The actual weight of the iron
bands or ties. After making these de-
uuS'iVho, iouI w pouhus ior cacn IL
pounds is deducted for tare or weight of
bagging, and the remainder is the net
weight of the cotton, upon which pay
ment is made. Should the bands or ties
weigh over o pounds then such excess is
to be deducted for the bands. If the
weight Of the bagging is found to exceed
four az pounds per 112 pounds, the buyer
is entitled to make n claim for such ex-
cess. The bands are not weighed from
L. e l..A a
to weigh only few bales from the ship
ment and take their average as the aver
age weight of the entire lot. As n mat
ter of custom, when cotton is sold in this
country to parties in Liverpool, it is al
most universal practice to allow 6 per
cent from the American gross weight to
cover the deduction for the bands and
bagging. 1t is also usually understood
that the American shipper guarantees
that the gross weight upon landing IN
Liverpool shall not be more than | per
ing that this information will meet your
requirements, | remain yours very truly,
"'ALF. b. SHEPPERSON.'
while this prevailing charge for tare
is eXorbitant, it is nevertheless the arhi-
trary imposition of foreign dealers, liv-
ing and doing business in foreign lands.
| am :ware that n state government is
power,ess TO correct the abuse. Retalia-
tory legislation in such matters is not
possible for n state. l refer to this par
ticular subject for the purpose only of
bringing home to the knowledge of cur
cotton planters the fact of the unjust eX-
action to which they are subjected. and
in hope that once awakened to il, the
people may possibly. through congression-
nj agency and international arrangement.
effect change which in its terms would
he unjust to neither the producer nor
purchaser. but fair to al.
Referring again to the publication of
agricultural and kindred statistics. |
recommend monthly and quarterly issu-
ancc of bulletins. in addition to annual re-
from the bulletins instead of being pre-
pared and published as they now are. To
facilitate the Seasonabe publication of
these bulletins. ms wei ms to assure their
reliability, all state and county officials
and all common carriers of freight.
whether corporate or otherwise. and all
citizens should. by express statutory COM
mand. he required to furnish. under oath.
such information as may he desired of
them by the commissioner. and. in case of
inability TO furnish il to explain under
oath the reason of such inability. To the
commissioner should he left the selection
of correspondents in every section of the
state to assist him with their information
as To the condition of stock. the acreage
Of crops and their probable yields as indi-
Gated IVY nrOsnnctS ~ tho time tho in
formation is returned to the department