The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-15
RULE MAY BE REPEALED.
COTTON MEN OBJECT To FORFEIT
URE CLAUSE.

Members of the Cotton Exchange
to the Rule Imposing n Fine OF 20
Cents on All Bales Not of the "a by
"a standard-RuIe Was Adopted 10
Further the standard Bale Move
ment. hut 1t Is Being Used Against
savannah in the Interest of Rival
POrts-Promincut Cotton Men Fav-
or the standard Bale, but Say the
Rule Is Inexpedient.
From the adverse sentiment which has
developed among the cotton trade against
the rule recently adopted by the savan-
nah Cotton Exchange providing for for
feiture OF % cents on all cotton re-
ceived at this port not in the standard
size. or "a by 81 inch bale, it would seem
that the rule is to be short-lived. A
large element of the trade favors the re-
peal of the rule on the ground that it
initiates against ,he port and in favor of
other ports which do not require the
standard bale. Galveston being the only
other port with such rule in force
places Savannah at a disadvantage in go
ing it single-handed on the South Atlantic
Coast.
While the purpose of the rule IS gener-
ally admitted to be a good one, It seems
that it cannot be enforced without preju-
dice to the port undertaking it unless all
ports combine, thereby placing all on an
equal footing. Considerable complaint hav-
ing come from the other side last season,
on account of the irregular packages in
which cotton was received it was decided
TO take the strongest possible methods to
insure a uniform bale. which was, of
course. the standard. To do this would ne
cessitate considerable outlay on the part
of farmers in changing their gin boxes.
Ample notice was given some time ago
by the Cotton Exchange officials of the
adoption of the rule, that there might
be no excuse on this score. The fact that
the response has not been great indicates
that farmers are none too anxious TO make
the necessary changes at present which
is Just the reason the Exchange attached
forfeiture for other than the regulation
size.
Another reason for the rule was to in
augurate effective opposition to the round
bale. which is being adopted in many
localities A strong argument in favor of
the round bale is the uniformity of the
bales has also been a source of complaint
from spinners. Efforts have been made
by the trade generally to correct this and
other Objectionable features, and thereby
combat the aggressive round-bale move
ment, but ii has been found difficult TO
impress farmers with the Importance of
making these reforms. 1t will be seen,
therefore, that there was ample reason
for the adoption of the rule in question,
though it seems il cannot be enforced
without prejudice to the port.
Savannahs cotton men have had their
eyes opened during the last few days to
things which point to the ACCESSIBILITY of
an early repeal of the rule. The Southern
Railway has been sending out circulars
throughout its territory, containing the
rule. and Incidentally giving information
about other ports. which leads many to
believe the effect will be the diversion
Of cotton from Savannah to the ports
mentioned in the circular. 1t has not
been charged that this was the company
intention in issuing the circular, though
it is generally believed its effect will be
against Savannah h. Again, attention has
been called to what the Augusta cotton
merchants have been advertising, which
is TO the effect that mo penalty is de-
manded for shipping long-box cotton
there" indicating that such is the case
with cotton shipped TO Savannah, the only
port, besides Galveston, with rule of
this kind in force. Judging from what
many say, the rule as il stands simply
subjects the port 10 prejudicial attacks
from all competing ports, the worst of it
being that these ports fight Savannah
with the weapon furnished by the Cotton
Exchange.
The rule was quite generally discussed
yesterday, and the indications are that
those opposed to it are in the majority.
which insures that action of some kind
will. be taken at an early day. The dam
age which might result to the port has
only become apparent since those inter
ested in fighting Savannah have inaugu-
rated their campaigns.
Mr.. ]. p. Williams is among the fac
tors who believe the rule will be repealed
as soon as a meeting of the Cotton Ex-
change is called for the purpose of con-
sidering 1t. In discussing the matter
he said he believed II would damage the
port greatly in lessening the receipts of
cotton here in favor of other ports. which
are not cooperating with Savannah in
her efforts to secure a uniform square
bale. Mr.. Williams believes the rule one
that should not be condemned He thinks
its effects, if properly enforced, would
rebound to the interests of the cotton
farmers of the South by placing the
square package in better favor with spin
Visable for Savannah to assume the en-
tire burden of effecting reform of this
kind. and for that reason favors the re-
peal of the rule pending the action of
other cities of the South
Mr. f. A. Curtis opposed the rule at the
time il was adopted. AS the directors
seemed to favor it, he did not oppose it
strongly. Notwithstanding he believed its
effect would be against Savannah
And ii has turned out about as l ex-
Dected' said Mr.. CUTS, in discussing the
matter last night. 1T struck me at the
time that the better plan would be to Of
fer premium for cotton properly packed
rather than provide "A penalty for that
not packed in the standard bale. In this
way the reform could have been started
without subjecting the port to prejudice
as against competing ports. AS il is,
however, there is much opposition to The
present plan on the part OF factors brok-
ers and merchants, who have heard
enough from the country already TO in
dictate what the effect will be later on
With the rule in force l shall not be sur
prised 10 receive instructions 30 offer cot
ron for other ports. for the reason SELL
ers Will not care 10 subject their cotton
10 this penalty. Much business has been
done since the adoption of the rule. but
contracts have not been made subject
TO il. Hence, the only present purpose
the rule serves, since nobody is selling
cotton subject to H. is to initiate against