The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-29
REPORTS ON COTTON.
Iffc Cotton Ginners Should Assist
the Census Agents.

The national government has ap-
pointed local special agents in each
county to collect cotton-ginning statis-
tics and we join the government IN
urging the cotton ginners of this
county to give the agent appointed to
do the work in it their hearty support
and cooperation. thus enabling him to
make prompt and accurate returns.
We would impress upon the ginnerS
the fact that this agent is sworn
officer Of the Government, and that
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 as
strictly confidential, and the opera
tions of individual ginners are not di-
vulged Upon the joint cooperation
of the cotton growers, ginners, and
local agents must depend the success
Of the census office in this inquiry,
and it's ability to render this great
service to the Southern 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 reliable
source of information as to the vol
ume Of the annual cotton crop. This
is very complimentary to the ginners,
who, no doubt, will feel pride in
sustaining the reputation earned.
In recognition OF this interest
shown by the ginnerS, and of gene
raj demand for more frequent re-
ports through this source, Congress.
in the act creating a permanent CEN
sus Office. provided for the collection
and publication of these statistics at
intervals during the ginning season.
For the crop of 1902 the office will
issue three reports: the first two will
cover the quantity OF cotton ginned
up to and including October Is and
December 13, respectively: and the
final report will cover the total quan-
tity ginned from the growth Of 1902.
Realizing that the collection Of the
data for these reports is made at a
season when the ginners' time is great
ly taxed, and approaching the ne
cessity 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 a report OF the
quantity of cotton ginned up to Ger
tain dates. In undertaking the ffe-
ouent and hurried reports now sought,
it is of vital importance that the re-
turns be made with absolute unif0r-
nifty, and that all be received at
Washington at one time. This re-
suit could not beexpected from in
dividual requests made by mail of 3d.
900 ginners, at time when they
are engrossed in their ginning
work. Furthermore, the census Of
fee must be kept advised Of all
changes in the management and
operation Of these establishments,
and secure returns from all new and
revived plants. To accomplish such re-
suits, it becomes necessary for the Of
fee to have local representatives who
shall be charged with the duty OF
keeping in close touch with the ginn-
ing industry in each county: and of
promptly reporting the quantity OF
cotton ginned.
The statistics for the October re-
port will be collected during the week
beginning with Monday, october 20,
ana g:.:-crs should keep such records
as will enable them to furnish prompt
ly the required information. These
returns will be tabulated, and the re-
suit published within one week from
their receipt at Washington.
Cotton statistic collected through
the commercial system, however &C
curately compiled, fall short of the
demand of both producer and manu-
facturer-frst, in that as they cover
the quantity of cotton marketed be-
tween September l of one year and
August 81 Of the following, they are
not statistics Of a crop grown in any
one year; and second, in the liability
to error involved in statistics so
compiled. Nothing short OF official
reports, made sufficiently early to
form a basis Of prices, will entirely
satisfy the cotton grower or manu-
facturer. 1t is gratifying to know
that the South has the assistance and
cooperation of the Government in
bringing about the result they desire:
an undertaking the success OF which
now depends upon the cotton growers