The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1899-11-01
ROUND VS.. SQUARE BALES.
Editor Home n

EultOr nome ana Farm:
| have been reading a book publish
ed by the Standard Bale and Compress
Company of Louisiana, Arkansas and
Tennessee, and other reading matter
sent out by Mr.. G. c.. Hanson, of Sa-
vannah, Ga. The book and circulars
are Tor the purpose Of showing the bad
features of the round bale and tho
good ones of the square bale. 1 was
anxious to know why Mr.. Hanson was
so much interested in the farmer, for
they claim it is for his benefit, and |
| find that he has all the congresses of
the Central Railroad Company over
| this section leased. Mr.. Hanson's in.
terest is for self. Round bales are
compressed at the gin, hence his objec-
ton to them. Now, the only remedy
for all dependent upon the cotton in
dustry, say the square bale people, is
to change all press boxes to 24x54 size.
1t will lower freight on land and water,
also insurance, and even the buyer
says he will pay so cents per bale more
for cotton in the standard size. The
24x54 bale will still be square, and
handled the same old way. 1 under
stand that the sample must be taken
out before cotton is baled at the gin,
under the round bale system, for it is
compressed there and cannot be sam
pied nfterward. What deadener on
cotton buyers and railroad compress
men and warehouses, say the square
bale fol!-s. 1t is a curious TACT that all
the documentary evidence, such as cir
culars, newspaper articles, etc., in fa-
vor of the round bale has emanateyl
from parties interested in, or holders
of shares in the company. Well, 1t is
equally curious that the evidence
against the round bale is from COM
press men, cotton exchanges and cot
ton buyers. The shape of the bale,
unless it raises the price, cuts no fig
ure with the farmer.
Farmers have been "hOrn snogoled''
| by cotton middlemen so long that they
will try anything if thai class opposes
it. They have run over them with
over production, although nakedness
staring them in the face. Now they
say change all presses to 24x54, and
we will give you so cents more per bale
than for same cotton in irregular bales
This 80 cent offer is to offset the round
bale people, who say they will give 45
points more for cotton IN round bales
than their limit for same cotton in
square bales. Now il is a fact and has
been for many years, Liverpool fix es the
price, and it is based on the condition OF
the cotton when it reaches them. They
have years ago found out how much tc
deduct for short weight, caused by sc
much sampling, and, Mr.. Farmer, yor
don't get one cent for your baggins
(you are told to believe you are makina
a profit on it), for they buy net cotton
1t should be known that all of the
costs of handling and transporting cot
ton comes out of the pocket of the
farmer. The round bale stops on,
evil, If not mcre--taking samples b,
everyone who handles it. 1t Is Gov
cred with cotton goods CHATS an item
and it lands in the market without
break from sampling. The opponent
of the round bale say it is trust
that Inman & Co. are the only buyer
of the round bale (they can buy if the
want it) and will control the market
What If they do? Better be con
trolled at home than from Liverpool
LhOJ SiJ oiotti OudU 10 u great mC
nopoly, they rent their presses. Be-
ter for the ginner. If the system doe
, not suit his customers he is not tn
} loser. Suppose o company should ol
/ fer gins or saw mills on those terms f?
, The round bale does away with
> many middlemen and oyerthrows CO.
, tou gambling, for while at least.
Q think 1t will'be good plan to put u
Q about One-third of the crop in roun
Q bales, as 1t will get up competition b.
t tween the producers, and there
i. where we want 1t. They claim thel
o is no market for the round hale. Il
+ man s. 90. only, they say, will buy
Q Yes, the factories will do the same
It they must have cotton. The farmer
3 asked to put on heavier bagging, n
n giving enough bagging now, alfhou,
= making the cotton at a loss, more
% less, according TO the part of the cc
D. ton belt in which he is living.
d ! think the showing below will abo