The age-herald., 1900-04-19


 glad to note has met with approval, be- cause We all know that this is one of tho most important features. Reducing the bale to the 24x54 dimensions and the use of one or two more bands will remedy the evil Of ragged bagging and badly marked bales: It stands to reason that the bands being brought closer together not only holds the cotton more compactly, prevent ing loose heads and waste, but prevents the bagging from being torn and marks obliterated. l told that if 24x54 bale of cotton can be obtained it will give to the consumers the most desirable package in every respect. You will notice even your enemies can attack the present system of Dallng at che vital point only, viz: the poor condition of the bale. There is but one thing for you to do, and that vital inn provement cannot be brought about with out united and earnest effort, free from petty jealousies and short-sighted action on your part. Many compressors do poor work and forward cotton in bad condition, because 1t will take care and time to do otherwise, and thus cost a trfe more. In 1t not better to lose little time and a few cents per bale in order to contribute to the Improvement the trade requires? Round pale agents fear well compressed uniform size square bale, but tell the spinners owing to such scattered and individual interests, it can never be obtained. trust the farmer will note the idea of concen- tration implied by these words. which would indicate that the cylindrical system of baling would be in few hands.
 You have a hard task, it is true, but combined and determined work will ac- complish the desire result You cannot sit down, however, and complain about in- spectors taxing poor density, put rags Tor patches, use Secand hand, worthless ties, and let your tyers rush through their work, causing improper tying, which is one of the most crying evils. You may as well understand now such work will not pass because the whole trade is not going to suner on account of few short-sighted compressors. Exchanges maratime asso- citations, steamship lines and ship brokers will regulate this point.
 ''I beseech each of you to do his duty and accept his share of the work and re" sponsibility. You compressors, who are buyers outside of your compress interests, look at the situation. Do you for one in stant suppose that you will be permitted to handle round bales, should you be run out of the square bale business? By no means! An agent of the round bale com pany will attend to that, and unless you work for one man or one set of men, you must go. But gentlemen, beyond personal interests, I maintain that the perpetuatlon of the present system of baling means in dependence to the dealer and farmer, and protection to one of the chief products of our southland. Now you are accused in certain quarters of interruptions methods III trying 10 1nI1uence the farmer ana Blll- ner by bringing to their notice the monop- olistic features of the round bale compa- nies Investigation will show that you have perfect right to do so. Will they sell their gins? No. Is their bale open to purchase on the market except through their own company? No. In nearly every instance do they buy out the country gin ner, and they themselves operate the plant? Yes. I understand one of the round bale companies is organizing steamship line for the handling of their cotton to European ports, and this is only another evidence to my mind that they do not pro pose to allow, if possible, anybody to have anything to do with the handling of round bales beyond themselves.
 Here is a letter received by me from a prominent source identified with the spin ming industry of Manchester, under date of March 18th. I quote:
 Doubtless it will create widespread at- tention as the subject of improved bailing is so prominent and of such vital import ance to the actual consumer throughout the world.
 " Business men are very conservative, but I fancy your system will have more chance of "catching on'' by being in ''square" Qnstead of cylindricaD form, as it will not entail alteration of present ma chinery or customs, but at the same time make certain of receiving the cotton bought in much better condition and prac- tically as good as that of Egyptian or East Indian.
 '''When this matter has been up for dis cussion before my board in the past, there has always been distinct leaning to the Egyptian mode of packing. Personally, I shall be only too delighted when our spin ners receive American cotton without loss In weight or damage caused by inferior packing, and are absolved from paying on additions to tares, and free from the an- noyance of having to take "No- Marked cotton. It will be step in the right di- rectfon, and knit together the interests of both the producer and consumer
 The trade prefers a properly covered and tied, well compressed bale. You must give It to them. The time has come for forcible measures, as Judge Lapsley says, apply, the remedy to the spot. You have spent your ammunition on the ginners; now tax irregular size bales reject a bale in ragged bagging as unmerchantable, have same properly covered put damaged cotton in order, and try to get marine companies to abolish the country damage clause, thus forcing cotton to reach Eu- rope more free from damage and loss; do better compressing by using more care and taking little more time, use good, strong buckles, one or two more ties q believe the time will come when ten instead of eight bands will be required), put square bale gin at every point where the round bale company has a monopoly, pull to- gether, and speedily improve the square bale, and you need not fear any cylindrical system of baling. On the other hand, sit still and let them gradually monopolize the ginning interests, and you will sacri- flee the cotton planters cotton spinners and yourselves to the round bale monop- oly.
 'The success of the movement depends largely upon your individual effort be- cause with intelligent and earnest work on your part other interests will join you in bringing about this long needed and much desired Improvement