Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1902-10-15
REPORT ON COTTON.

MI ONEAe a. MuMata " aNN1NNA
has been appointed 3 local specia
agent Of the Census Office 70 COLT q
cotton ginning statistics for tais coup'
", and we join the Government II
urging the ginners to give Mr.. Mofal
their hearty support and cooperation.
thus enabling him 10 make prompt and
accurate returns. We would impress
upon the g1nners the fact that this
agent is a sworn officer Of the Govern
ment, and their reports are forwarded
as given to him directly to the Census
Office. at Washington, without passing
through the hands of any middlemen.
The information given Is held ~ strict
ly confidential, and the operations OIL
individual ginners are not devulged,
Upon the joint CO operation OF the cot
ton growers. ginners, and local agents
must depend the success Of the Census
Office in this inquiry, and its ability "a
render this great service to the South
ern people and to all interested in the
cotton staple.
The Census Office has demonstrated
in three annual reports, the fact that
the ginners are the only genuine source
Of information as to the volume OF the
annual cotton crop, This is very cou'
plimentary to the ginners, who, nc
doubt, will feel a pride in sustaining
the reputation earned.
In recognition of this interest shown
by the ginners, and Of a general de-
mand for more frequent reports through
this source, Congress, in the act Great
ing a permanent census Office, provided
for the collection and publication Of
these statistics at intervals during the
ginning season. For the crop Of 1907
the Office will issue three reports: the
first two will cover the quantity OF cot
ton ginned up to and including October
Is and December 10, respectively; and
the final report viii cover the total
quantity ginned from the growth Of
1902.
Realizing that the collection Of the
data for these reports is made at a sea
son when the ginners time is greatly
taxed, and approaching the necessity
for prompt returns, the Census Othce
has located, in each county containing
ten OF more ginneries, az agent, who
will visit each ginnery in the county
and secure a report of the quantity OF
cotton ginned mp to certain dates. In
undertaking the frequent and hurried
reports now sought, 1t is ct vital I'M
porrance that the returns be made WITH
absolute uniformity, and that all be re
ceived at Washington at one time.
This result could not be expected from
individual requests made by mail Oh
30, 900 ginners, at a time when they are
~engrossed in their ginning work. Fur
thermOre, the Census Office must bC
kent advised of all changes in the man
agement and operation Of these estab'
lishments, and c returns from al
new and revived plants. To accomplish
such results, il becomes necessary FOL
the Office to have local representative
who shall be charged with the duty o
keeping in close touch with the ginning
industry in each ounty, and Of prompt
" reporting the quantity OF cettol
ginued.
The statistics for the October repor
will be collected during the week be
ginning with Monday, October 20, ant
ginners should keep such records a
will enable them to furnish prompt.
the required information. These re
turns will be tabulated, aud the result
published within one week from thei
receipt at Washington,
Cotton statistics collected through th
commercial system, hcwever accurate
ly compiled, fall short of the demand 0
both producer and manufacturer-hrs
in that as they cover the quantity Q
cotton marketed between September
of one year and August 81 Of the fol
lowing, theyare not statistics of a GRO
grown In any one year; and second, l
the liability to error involved in statis
tics so compiled. Nothing short {
official reports, made sufficiently earl
to form a basis of prices, will entirel
safety the, cotton grower or manutac
turer. It is gratifying to know that th
South has the assistance and co opera
ton Of the Government in bringin
about the result they desire-an under
taking, the success of which now d.
ponds upon the cotton growers and gin
ners themselves.
FwecufFve Roard NJ 0ko1Ona fndustFl;