The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1902-10-17
REPORT ON COTTON.

~
accurate statistics Of the cotton crop.
The United States Census Office will
publish returns at frequent intervals
during the ginning season, and III
time to be Of immense value to ;he
producers.
AR. Orus I. Beiue, OF Union, has
been appointed local special agent
OF the Census Office to collect cotton
ginning statistics for this county,
and we join the Government in urg-
ing the ginners to give Mr.. Belue
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 II sworn officer OF
the Government, and that their re-
ports, are forwarded az 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 Ginuers are not diyulSed.
Upon the joint cooperation Of the
cotton growers, ginuers and local
zgents must depend the success of
the Census Office in his inquiry, and
its ability to render this great service
to the Southern people and to all in
terested in the cotton staple.
The Census Office has demonstrate
ed in three annual reports, the fact
that the ginners are the orly 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 giuners, and Of Il gen
eral demand for more frequent re-
ports through this source, Congress,
in the act creating permanent CEN
sus office, "provided for the collection
intervals during tho 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
Decemser l3, espectively; AMI the
final report will cover the total guam
tity 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
greatly taxed, and approaching the
necessity for prompt returns, the
Census Office has located, in each
tX- -. wi
neries, an agent, who will visit each
sinnery in the county and secure Il
report OF the quantity OF cotton gin
ned up to certain dates. 10 under
taking the frequent and hurried re-
ports now sought, it is OF vital impor-
tance that the returns be made with
absolute uniformity, ana that all be
received at Washington at one time
This result could not be expected
from individual requests made by
mail Of $4,000 ginnerS, at time
when they are engrossed in their gin
ming work. Furthermore, The Cen
sus Otiice must be kept advised Of ali
changes in the management and op-
Grafton Of these establishments, and
secure returns from all new and re-
vived plants. To accomplish such
results, it becomes necessary for tho
Office to have local representatives
who shall be charged with the duty
Of keeping in close touch with the
ginning 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 %,
and ginners should keep such records
as wi Il enable them to furnish prompt
ly the required information. These
returns will be tabulated, and the
result published within one week
from their receipt at Washington.
Cotton statistics collected through
the commercial system, however ac-
curatc!y compiled, fall short Of the
demand Of both producer and manu-
facturer-iirSt, in that as they cover
the quantity Of cotton marketed be-
tween September Of one year ard
August 81 OF tho following, they are
not statistics OF Il crop grown in any
me year; and second, in the liability
30 error Involved in statistics so COM
oiled. Nothing short Of official re-
ports, made sufficiently early to form
I basis Of prices, will entirely satisfy
Shc cotton grower or manufacturers
IL is gratifying to know that the
South has the assistance nn1 coop.
ration Of the Government in bring
tng mbo 1t the result they desira-an
undertaking. the success Of which now
iepaad upon tho cotton growers and
5inncrS themselves.
The coal strike seems to be about
as far from settlement as ever. The