Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01

stuffed estimates issued In the interest Of
private concerns. The farmers, not only
of the south, but Of the United States,
have a right to expect and to demand,
that the government protect them from
the evil influences Of spectators, trusts
and combinations who annually seek to
get possession OF the valuable agricul-
tural products of this country at or below
the cost of production. The charge that
Secretary Wilson has entered into con-
spiracy with southern cotton producers,
backed by the federal treasury, to wilful-
ly issue low estimates on the yield OF the
cotton crop in order TO initiate prices for
the staple, is absolutely false and without
shadow Of foundation. The reports issued
by the department are wired first to the
cotton exchange and the press OF the
country The officers Of the Southern Cot
ton Growers Protective association have
never had any private correspondence or
interviews with any Of the officials OF the
department, nor does the association have
anything whatever to do with reports fur-
nished the department
Let the Investigation Come.
The southern cotton producers are quite
willing for the threatened congressional
Investigation of Secretary Wilson's sta
tistical department to materialize, as is
doubtless also the secretary himself. The
interest Of the producers of cotton could
not be better subserved than by having
the full light turned on. All that we
have asked for is a presentation of the
facts and the truth of the situation L
am satisfied the last move on the part
Of the department to arrive at a speedy
estimate of the crop through ginners' re-
ports is a most Objectionable factor to
the bear" element of spectators. The
commercial report made up of the crop
of 1901 included I'm it's estimate of 1880
900 bales all the crop of 1901, part OF the
crops of 1900 and 1892 also the linters from
all the cotton seed OIL mills and the city
crop. When the truth regarding the act
ual crop grown in 1901 is made known
from Data now being gathered by the de-
partment. II will be found that the gov
ernment's estimate at last December was
nearer right than wrong.
The estimate of the government was
based alone upon the crop planted ana
gathered in 1901. The commercial report
covered every bale of merchantable cot
ton which came into sight from September
l. 1901 &c September l. 1902, no matter in
what year grown or from what source
derived. This big hue and cry now be-
ing raised agaist Secretary Wilson and
Statistician Hyde is TO discredit In ad-
vance the coming bureau estimate for
Decen Der. Those individuals and firms
who are using every means in their pow
er to depress the price of cotton know
that the estimate Will indicate a much
smaller crop than they want predicted
They have made their efforts to control
Secretary Wilson, and failing, now resort
to threats and public criticism of the de-
partments estimate, trying to place
them in disrepute. The cotton producers
cannot afford to sit idly by and leave
Secretary Wilson alone to fight the enor-
nous monied combinations arrayed
against him in the coming fight.
The future financial interest of every
cotton grower in the south is involved
in this struggle. If the powerful monied
influences of the east can induce con-
gress to change the statistical bureau to
some other department more acceptable
to the members of the New York cotton
exchange, the producers Will be then alb
solutely at the mercy of the spectators.
We must be prepared to stand by Secre-
| tary Wilson and send strong commit
tees from every cotton growing state to
appear before the congressional commit
tee, If congress should undertake the in
vestigation called for.
As the president of the Southern Cotton
Growers Protective association, 1 shall
cali the state officials of the association
| together in Atlanta some time within the
next sixty days to consider, not only this
matter, but many others which demand
attention. The SPECTATORS are gradual
| ly being checkmated in their efforts to
depress prices and they are dying hard.
HARVIE JORDAN.