The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-10-15
elER's 5 REPORT on COTTON.
The Unitsd States Census Offce
Will Publish Eeturns at
Frequent Intervals
During the Ginning Season, and 10 Time
10 be Of Immeasa Value to
the Producers.

Mr.. S. Yeadon Delgar, Of Sumter,
has been appointed e locaI specaal
agent of the Census Omce to collect
cotson-ginning statistics for this coun-
ty, and We join the Government IN
urging the ginners 30 give Mr.. Deigar
their hearty support and cooperation,
thus enabling him 10 make prompt
and accurate returns. We would inn
press upon the ginners the fact that
this agent is 8 sWora officer OF the
Government. and that sheir 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 as strictly confidential,
and the operations OF individual GIN
ners are not divulged. Upon the Joint
cooperation Of the cotton growers,
giRners, and local agents must depend
the success OF the Census Office IN
this inquiry, and It's ability to render
this Great ser7ice te the Southern
ueople and to ali interested In the cot
ton staple.
The Census Office has demonstrated
IN three annual reports, the fact That
the qinners are the Only reliable source
Of information as to the volume OF
the anpuaL cotton crop. This is very
complimentary so tie ginnerS, who, no
doubt, viii ieel pride IN sustaining
the reputation earned.
IN recognition Of this interest shown
by the ginners, and of general de-
mand for moro frequent reports through
this source, Congress, IN the act Great
ing a permanent census Office, provid-
ed for the collection and publication
of these statistics at Intervals during
the ginning season. For the crop OF
1902 tie Office viii issue three reports ;
the first two will cover the quantity
of cotton ginned up to and including
October lS and December l3, respec-
lively: and the final report viii cover
She total quantity ginned from the
growth of 1902
Realizing that the collection OF the
data for these reports is made at q
season when the ginners' time is great
s II taxed, and appreciating the neces-
sity for prompt returns, the Census
Office has located, in each county con-
tanning ten or more ginneries, an
agent, who will visit each ginnery in
the county and secure report OF the
ouantIty of cotton ssinned up. to GER
tain dates. In undertaking the fre-
ouent and hurried reports now sought,
It IS of vital Importance that the re-
turns be made with absolute Uniform
itv. and that all be received at Wash
ineton at one time. This result could
not be expected from individual re-
ouests made BY mail Of 80, coo ginners,
at time when they are engrossed IN
their ginning work. Furthermore, the
Census Office must be kept advised OF
all changes. in the management and
operation Of these estab ablishments, and
secure returns from al new and reviv-
ed plants. To accomplish such results,
II becomes necessary for the Office to
/. have local representatives who shalt be
charged with the duty of keeping IN
close touch with the ginning Industry
in each county, and Of promptly re
porting the quantity Of cotton glnned.
The statistics for the October re-
ports Will be collected during the week
beginning with Monday, October 20,
and ginners should keep such records
as Will enable them to furnish prompt
" the required information. These
returns will be tabulated, and the re-
sult published within one week from
their receipt at Washington.
Cotton statistics collected through
the commercial system, however ae-
curstely compiled, fall short of the de-
mand of both producer and msnufac-
turer-frst, in that as they cover the
Quantity of cotton marketed between
September of one year and August 81
Of the following, they are not statis-
tics OF crop grown in any one year
and second, in the liability to error in
yolyed in statistics SO compiled. Moth
ing short of official reports, made
Sufficiently early to form basis OF
prices, viii entirely satisfy the cotton
grower or manufacturer. 1t is crafty
inc to know that the South has the
assistance and cooperation of the Gov
ernment in bringing about the result
they desire-an undertaking the sue
cess of which now depends upon the
cotton growers and ginners themselves.
London, Oct. 12.-In dispatch
uaabrro fha cerreSYeOnSent of